Overview: Sustainable Energy
Sabathani Community Center is transforming its physical infrastructure to combat climate change, lower operating costs, and open pathways to clean-energy jobs.
Sabathani Community Center is constructing a major energy project that will transform the South Minneapolis community into one of the state’s most innovative community resilience hubs.
The project replaces aging fossil fuel infrastructure with geothermal heating and cooling, rooftop solar and energy-efficient building systems.
The work will allow the center to provide the community with essential services during power outages and extreme weather, reduce operating costs and create workforce opportunities in the growing clean-energy economy.
Updates
As of July 2026, the organization announced that three geothermal wells have been completed, existing boilers safely removed and recycled, and interior construction is progressing through phased building improvements.
In addition, construction crews are preparing for underground piping connecting the wells to the building and rooftop solar installation and battery storage.
What’s Next
Over the next few months, crews will continue installing the geothermal heating and cooling system, complete rooftop solar installation, connect new energy infrastructure, and restore landscaped areas surrounding the geothermal wells.
The Community Energy Project began as part of the 38th Street THRIVE Strategic Development Plan.
The project has secured support from federal, state and local partners while expanding its vision beyond renewable energy to include workforce development, community resilience and environmental justice.
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