Hi friends!

It has been a busy couple of months for Redesign and our whole community!

Throughout the month of May, Redesign hosted events focused on reimagining the future of the former US Bank site at 2800 East Lake Street. From a community clean-up to a walking history tour, a small-group conversation with neighbors to the large-scale Remember and Reimagine event, we heard a clear message: people are ready for change that reflects their hopes and memories. This kind of grassroots planning takes time, but we believe it’s the only way to ensure the outcomes are rooted in justice and belonging.

Community members imagine together at 2800 E Lake St

If we haven’t met yet, my name is Taylor Smrikarova, and I’m the Real Estate Development Director at Redesign. I get to work across Greater Longfellow helping make sure the visions of local residents shape the future of our neighborhoods. And that’s not just a theory. It’s how we do our work.

Taylor on top of The Historic Coliseum Building

Redesign has been building community-rooted developments for more than 50 years. We believe that real estate isn’t just about buildings. It’s about relationships, trust, and staying power. In a system that too often rewards displacement and speculation, we work to ensure that community wealth and power stay in our community. That means walking alongside first-time developers, advocating for policies that put people before profits, and investing in projects that others consider “too risky” – but that we know are too important to ignore.

In just a few short weeks, we’ll be celebrating the grand opening of Wadaag Commons, a new affordable housing project developed in partnership with Noor Companies. “Wadaag” means “community” or “sharing” in Somali, and this project is the result of years of shared effort – between neighbors, grassroots and political leaders, Redesign, Noor Companies and more. It’s a powerful example of what happens when community leads and institutions follow.

We also want to share that our incredible Real Estate Development Senior Manager, Abby Romero, will soon be departing Redesign for an exciting new chapter. We are so grateful for her vision and leadership, and we look forward to continuing this systems-change work with the same values that have always guided us: equity, relationship, and community ownership.

Abby Romero with Executive Director Andy Hestness at the Wadaag Commons groundbreaking ceremony

Thank you for being part of this journey. I hope you enjoy this month’s newsletter, and as always, I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up for your corner of the city. Let’s keep building together.

With appreciation,

Taylor Smrikarova

Real Estate Development Director

Thank you!

2800 East Lake Street Activations

Thanks to all who made it to the 2800 activations and events over the last few months! It was wonderful to be together through rain, snow, shine, and shadows, sharing our visions for East Lake Street.

Together with the community, we’ve been discussing and reviewing different concept ideas, with people offering ideas ranging from the location of the green space, to potential development partners and end users. We are seeing special enthusiasm about the site containing gathering spots, or “third spaces,” that can strengthen community connections.

What's next? We’ll be refining concepts, along with the integration of stormwater planning through the early summer. Stay tuned for more!

Project Update!

Wadaag Commons

Wadaag Commons, the capstone of the 15-years-in-the-making Seward Commons project is scheduled to open in July. This 6-story building will provide 39 deeply affordable homes designed for large families, High Priority Homeless households, and people with disabilities.

LEARN MORE

In The News

Longfellow Rising: 5 years after murder of George Floyd, Minneapolis neighborhood still work in progress

KARE 11

"[Emerging Developer Wilmar] Delgado's big development plan is also getting a boost from Redesign, Inc., which led the redevelopment of the Coliseum and a nearby dry cleaner. ... The former US Bank site at 2800 East Lake has also been a big work in progress for Redesign for the past few years. The Redesign team is currently gathering public input on the future of the former US Bank site, following a series of activations for the community earlier this year."

WATCH THE CLIP

Award

Historic Coliseum Building Honored with Top Projects Award

Redesign and our partners were recently awarded Finance & Commerce Top Projects award for The Historic Coliseum Building. From the award announcement:

"The construction industry continued to be plagued by a series of challenges in 2024. From ongoing labor shortages to supply chain disruptions and economic uncertainty, developers have had to be flexible and steadfast to get projects from the proposal stage to completion. ... When selecting the [awarded] projects, an independent panel of judges looked at the degree of difficulty, creativity in design, innovative construction techniques, cooperation among contractors and management, and sustainability efforts."

Support Small Businesses

Pick Up Your Summer Savings Deal Book!

July 7 - September 21, 2025

It's back! Pick up the 2025 neighborhood dealbook at any participating location starting July 7 and start saving while supporting local small businesses!

Neighborhood News

Congratulations, Hayat and Maaruf!

Hayat Beauty Salon recently celebrated the grand opening of their new home in The Historic Coliseum Building. Hayat and Maaruf have been part of the Redesign family for more than 17 years, and we couldn’t be more proud to support them in their exciting new chapter on Lake Street.

Their journey has been one of resilience, hard work, and vision - and now, their dream has a stunning new home in the heart of our community. Stop by to show your support, check out the beautiful new space, and experience the magic of a business rooted in love, beauty, and community:

VISIT HAYAT

Support for Entrepreneurs & Small Businesses

Get the Help You Need

Redesign provides free and low-cost services to entrepreneurs and small businesses in our community. Reach out if you or an entrepreneur you know needs:

🔍 Business Space Search & Brokerage

💼 Comprehensive Business Assistance

🏢 Real Estate Development & Project Support

🪟 Storefront Improvement

💲Low-Interest & Interest-Free Business Financing

GET SUPPORT

PARTNER EVENT: The Legacy Building & Coliseum Owners & Tenants

Juneteenth Events

Thursday, June 19 | The area around Minnehaha Ave & Lake Street

Soul of the Southside is a free, all-ages Juneteenth arts & music festival taking place along Minnehaha Ave & East Lake St. at venues including Arbeiter Brewing, Moon Palace, and Hook & Ladder. The Historic Coliseum Building will once again be joining the festivities this year as host to some outstanding events and activities!

Lilian A Braiding Institute

Free Hair Braiding Workshop

11AM-3PM

Join Extensions Hair & Wigs for a workshop on foundational and advanced braiding techniques rooted in cultural traditions. Sign Up

Divas for Social Justice

Maker Activities

12-4PM

Join Divas for Social Justice for free activities celebrating artistic freedom through tech.

Soul of the Southside

Art Exhibition

12-8PM

Family: A Revolutionary Force is an art exhibition celebrating the ways in which family—both chosen and biological—shapes our culture, drives progress, and sustains our collective liberation. LEARN MORE

Minnesota African American History Museum & Gallery

Timeline

12-7PM

A traveling timeline about the Black Vote.

Semilla Center

Lantern Making

1-3PM and 5-7PM | All Ages Welcome

Be part of Create Light, Carry Legacy lantern making workshops lead by the Semilla Center for healing and Arts

Twin Cities PBS

Meet & Greet with Characters from SkillsVille

3-6PM

Interactive character visits, and family-friendly storytelling that blends art + media.

NDCAD

Books & Cultural Education Resources

Brought to you by the Network for the Development of Children of African Descent

Bell Museum

Groovy Gills and Northern Stars

Join Bell Museum’s Curator of Fishes and Mollusks Dr. Kassandra Ford in building your own paper fish model. Explore nonwestern perspectives of looking at the night sky with Sew-A-Constellation cards featuring asterisms from the Black diaspora and more.

Hayat Beauty Salon

Open House

2-5PM

Be sure to come by the Salon on the ground floor of the Coliseum to celebrate the new space, receive discounts on products, and enter a raffle!

SEE THE FULL SOUL OF THE SOUTHSIDE LINEUP

PARTNER EVENT: S.H.A.K.E and Bus Stop Mamas

Shine A Light On Her | Mama Parade

Saturday, June 21 | 8:30AM-12PM

Beginning at 2800 East Lake Street, Ending at the Coliseum

Join S.H.A.K.E. and Bus Stop Mamas to share inspiring stories of mothers who contribute significantly to our community as parents, professionals, and business owners. This parade is a tribute to the women who deliver our society, every day, in every way - to shine a light on the value of moms as workers, leaders, caregivers, and community builders.

JOIN THE PARADE

PARTNER EVENT: Du Nord Foundation & Nobool

Krewe Du Nord

Saturday, June 21 | 2-9PM | The Historic Coliseum Building

Join the Du Nord Foundation & Nobool for Krewe Du Nord, a free, all-ages festival inspired by the spirit of New Orleans — and powered by the heart of our own Minneapolis community. Featuring music, food, and community.

SEE THE LINEUP

PARTNER EVENT: The Legacy Building

Gumbo: Stories That Build the Block, Brick by Brick

Sunday, June 29 | 1-4PM | 2800 East Lake Street

Gumbo is a visual and narrative tribute to the Black and Brown businesses of Lake Street. Join Emmanuel Duncan for a block party-style gathering honoring the people, places, and stories that make Lake Street unforgettable. The event will feature local food, music, skating with Twin Cities Skaters, and a visual showcase of the book’s photography and interviews.

Support Small Businesses!

Plan Your Perfect Day in the Neighborhood

We created this tool to help you plan your perfect day in Cooper, Hiawatha, Howe, Longfellow, and Seward. (Warning: It may make you hungry!)

DESIGN MY DAY

PARTNER INITIATIVE: Longfellow Rising

Parking Survey

Complete the survey by July 31 to be entered in a drawing for a gift from an area business!

Longfellow Rising is gathering feedback on parking needs in the Downtown Longfellow area (around Lake St. and Minnehaha Ave). Your input will be crucial as they work with the City of Minneapolis to improve the parking situation and create a better experience for everyone in the neighborhood.

COMPLETE THE 5-MINUTE SURVEY

Redesign aims to be your voice in community development. What do you want to see in the neighborhood?

REACH OUT