Program areas at Seward Redesign
Real estate developmentredesign implements residential, commercial, and industrial real estate development projects that serve the needs of low- and moderate-income residents, women and people-of-color within the Seward and greater longfellow neighborhoods.in 2022, Redesign focused on the following development projects : 1. An 80,000 square foot historic commercial building on lake street and will redevelop this property in partnership with people-of-color led entities, ensuring the equitable recovery of the lake street commercial corridor, 2. A 6,800 square foot retail/office building for redevelopment and sale to an existing business tenant, and vacant land to provide for future new housing development,3. Receiving donation of land that will be planned and developed in partnership with people-of-color led entities, with an end use ownership model of people-of-color business and organizations that support people-of-color, and4. Purchasing an approximately 32,000 sq ft industrial building that was damaged during the civil unrest in the summer of 2020 to renovate and repurpose for neighborhood-based businesses owned by people-of-color and expand property ownership for the businesses.securing financing and development of a 32-unit apartment project designed for low-income families at Seward commons in partnership with noor companies. Many of these units will be three- and four-bedroom units, suitable for larger families. Closing and construction start are anticipated for the fall of 2023.redesign secured a contract with the city of minneapolis to provide training in real estate development to new and emerging developers. Utilizing the skills garnered from Redesign's own development projects, we are working to train and partner with these developers who are largely first-time developers and people of color.
Community planning and infrastructure advocacyredesign engages existing residents, businesses and property owners in proactive planning for future land use and development and to advocate on behalf of community-based development that serves the needs of all residents, including communities-of-color, immigrant communities and those of low and moderate income. Redesign also works with residents, businesses and local institutions to plan and advocate for infrastructure improvements, including enhancements for pedestrians and bicyclists in particular, and those changes that will address climate change including increased use of solar energy. Redesign has provided technical assistance to several businesses to install solar arrays on their roof. Redesign has also added solar to the roofs at franklin east and the cooperage.
Commercial property operations and management for community valueredesign operates multi-tenant commercial properties in the greater longfellow and Seward neighborhoods including franklin east, 3300 east lake, 2610 east 32nd, five square, verna and focus arts buildings. All of these properties are leased to multiple small business and community organization tenants, the great majority of which are women, people-of-color and/or immigrant owned. These properties are managed for long-term sustainability to ensure affordable and accessible commercial space.redesign leases and directly manages commercial properties that it owns. Additionally, Redesign provides property and asset management services for other properties within the Seward neighborhood to ensure long-term affordability and high-quality physical maintenance. These properties include Seward towers east and west; and two residential townhouse properties that are partly or wholly owned by Redesign respectively.
Business development and growthredesign seeks out and attracts new businesses to the Seward and greater longfellow neighborhoods by providing technical assistance, access to low cost loan capital and assistance with real estate projects. In 2022, Redesign provided technical assistance to over 50 small business clients and and loans to 3, with an emphasis on navigating the impact of covid-19 pandemic and rebuilding following the civil unrest damage along east lake street that occurred in the summer of 2020 impacting many small businesses. Our focus is on reaching businesses that have not always enjoyed equal access to support including immigrant, people-of-color and woman-owned enterprises.redesign provides commercial brokerage services to local businesses to assist them in finding space to lease or properties to purchase in the community, including developing plans for the improvement of spaces and the financing for those improvements. Redesign also manages three loan pools that make below-market loans to small businesses that create jobs within the community and promote the success of local commercial corridors. Most of these borrowers would not otherwise have access to needed and equitable capital.