News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Friday December 19th 2025
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 Director Darby Ottoson, this outstanding $5.7 million was intended to replace money the city government had seized from its own Water Treatment and Distribution Fund as part of its larger plan to demolish the Roof Depot site and replace it with an expanded public works facility. … Read the rest “EPNI invites city government to accept $10.2 million deal for Roof Depot purchase ”
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 to foster community stories has developed into a new initiative—the Phillips Community Oral History Project.
Earlier this year, Alley Communications and United Phillips received funding to facilitate the project through two sources: the City of Minneapolis Partnership Engagement Fund and the University of Minnesota Liberal Arts Engagement Hub Residency program.
Those of us with ties to the four neighborhoods that make up Phillips know our community has a rich history spanning culture, industries, justice movements, and generations.… Read the rest “One Community, Many Voices”
September ’25 Events
We Are Still Queer
Through September 12
Two Rivers Gallery
Minneapolis American Indian Center
1530 E Franklin Avenue
Free
Don’t miss the last opportunity to catch this exhibit before it closes September 12th. We Are Still Queer celebrates the queer Native community that has always been and will always be part of the thriving of Indigenous people in our lands. On view are pieces by artists Angela Teeple, Sam St. John, Jearica Fountain, Ch’ikwezens, Sami Downwind, Dusty Rose, Julian Tollefson, Sierra Ikwe Edwards, Two Spirit Corn Maiden, Leila Verley. Gallery hours: Tuesday-Friday 10am – 4pm.
Salad Hilowle: Inscriptions
Through Oct. 26
American Swedish Institute
2600 Park Avenue
$8 – $15
Free: Thursdays 3 – 8 PM
Swedish artist Salad Hilowle creates poetic multimedia explorations of belonging, spectatorship, and the visibility of the African experience in Sweden over time. Curated by Berlin-based curator Sagal Farah, the exhibit is a collaboration between the American Swedish Institute and The Somali Museum. Visit asimn.org/exhibition/salad-hilowle-inscriptions for more information.
Four Sisters Farmers Market
Thursdays through October
11 AM – 3 PM
1414 E Franklin Avenue
Free
Enjoy local food, handcrafts, and community every Thursday through October at an Indigenous-focused farmers market that celebrates Indigenous pride, health, and well-being.… Read the rest “September ’25 Events”
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