urbanMSP

A Norwegian cultural center is set to be built on East Franklin, at the current site of Wings Financial.

From the Business Journal:
http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/b ... polis.html

PDF from the organization with rough sketches and site plans:
http://www.norwayhouse.org/wp-content/u ... tement.pdf

What a cool project that will bring more people to this area. In some ways though, wish they would've chosen a site downtown. Downtown needs more centralized cultural institutions for a draw.

What a cool project that will bring more people to this area. In some ways though, wish they would've chosen a site downtown. Downtown needs more centralized cultural institutions for a draw.

Yes, I agree that Downtown or the riverfront would have been nice. I suppose the fact that this neighborhood was originally very Scandinavian probably influenced the decision.

Being next to the church as one of the main reasons I'm sure!

I don't think the neighborhood was originally scandinavian. My guess would be that it was mostly native American first

I don't think the neighborhood was originally scandinavian. My guess would be that it was mostly native American first

The neighborhood had made Scandinavian settlers. Inglebritzen, is a Scandinavian store that has been there for over 80 years was there because the area what settled by the Scandinavians. Why the Scandinavian church is in the area too. Trhe Indians I think moved into the area during the 50-60's

I think the point was that it was Native American land before the Scandanavians. They probably didn't call it an urban reservation back then.

Ingebretsen's if anyone wanted to look it up, it's a really awesome store. It also has a deli with great Scandinavian imports

I like the location of this center in the Phillips. Kind of going full circle in the long history of this area being an entry point for immigrants to Minnesota. Adds another layer of multiculturalism to this diverse neighborhood.

probably too costly to buy and develop a riverfront site. this is relatively close to american swedish institute. probably some nice synergy.

it is odd given this neighborhood's recent history. but very cool to see them choose the inner city.

This is very weird because I have Norwegian roots and I just moved to the neighborhood.

Ingebretsen's if anyone wanted to look it up, it's a really awesome store. It also has a deli with great Scandinavian imports

Thank you for mentioning Ingebretsens. This store is thriving on Lake Street. Fabulous meatball mix.

Wings Financial appears to be closed/ closing in advance of this project, which is scheduled to break ground in September.

I'm pretty sure there was discussion about the development proposal for the properties adjacent to this, but I can't seem to find it right now. Anyway, I passed this morning and there was fencing up around and I'm pretty sure the laundromat at the Elliot & Franklin corner is gone.