‘Neighborhood News’ Archives
EPNI invites city government to accept $10.2 million deal for Roof Depot purchase
By JOE KYLE On August 12th, the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute (EPNI) held a press conference with Little Earth neighbors and community partners to encourage the government of Minneapolis to accept an offer from EPNI to purchase the Roof Depot site for $10.2 million in order to allow for EPNI and its investors to immediately begin constructing an urban farm, which will serve the community as a source of affordable and nutritious food, jobs, education, and affordable renewable energy. EPNI and Minneapolis had initially reached an agreement in 2023 for EPNI to purchase the Roof Depot site for a total of $15.9 million by the closing date of September 15th, 2025, with the understanding that the state government of Minnesota would subsidize $12.2 million of the purchase price. In 2023, the State did allocate $6.5 million, but due to federal funding cuts this year, the state failed to deliver the remaining $5.7 million this year. As noted by EPNI Communications [...]
One Community, Many Voices
Introducing the Phillips Community Oral History Project By PHILLIPS COMMUNITY ORAL HISTORY PROJECT PARTNERS Alley Communications and the United Phillips Coalition are excited to announce the launch of the Phillips Community Oral History Project! Three years ago, neighborhood organization staff and members of Alley Communications (publisher of the alley), began discussing ways to collaborate to empower residents to tell their own stories. This discussion resulted in the launch of the Community Journalism Training Program, an 18-month project of Alley Communications, Journalism of Color Training Center, and Phillips West Neighborhood Organization (PWNO). Around the same time, PWNO also began working collaboratively with Midtown Phillips Neighborhood Association, Inc. (MPNAI) and the East Phillips Improvement Coalition (EPIC) to better serve the whole of Phillips by establishing the United Phillips Coalition. Since then our relationships have grown and the mission [...]
EPNI September ’25 Update
East Phillips Neighborhood Institute is building toward a healthier future and overdue environmental justice by converting the empty Roof Depot warehouse (located on 27th St and Longfellow Ave) into a community hub that brings fresh food and good jobs to East Phillips. Learn more and get involved! What’s new with the East Phillips Indoor Urban Farm Project this month? By EAST PHILLIPS NEIGHBORHOOD INSTITUTE (EPNI) In August, EPNI held a press conference and a rally with representatives from EPNI, Little Earth, Climate Justice Committee, and Little Earth, asking the mayor to respond to EPNI’s purchase offer, uphold his stated commitments, and finally work with EPNI in good faith to transfer ownership of the Roof Depot building to the East Phillips community. Thank you to everyone who showed up in support!EPNI’s Farm Team will continue with biweekly “Seed Saturdays” starting at 11am on September 13th and 27th, where you can come talk with EPNI and help out with garden [...]
