MINNEAPOLIS— Hours before Juneteenth events began in south Minneapolis on Wednesday, people in the Longfellow neighborhood already had reason to celebrate.
In a crowd of dignitaries, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, the community took a major step toward redevelopment.
Nearly four years to the day after the Colosseum building was destroyed during the 2020 unrest, it reopened its doors.
The 85,000-square-foot mixed-use building will now be home to a restaurant, event space and a small business incubator.
“I am elated, overwhelmed, but also humbled and proud,” said project manager Taylor Smrikarova after the ribbon cutting Wednesday.
The development represents hope for the Lake and Minnehaha corridor, she said. While companies like Cub Foods, Aldi and Wendy’s have returned to the area with new construction, this project is community-oriented. Smrikarova hopes it will be a catalyst for more similar projects.
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“When lenders see a proven project, it makes this whole zip code much more enjoyable and possible,” she said. “Because downtown Longfellow, which is what this intersection is known for, has a lot of vacant land right now because those buildings didn’t survive. This is a building that has survived and has been renovated, and it is offering people hope, and saying that it is possible, that it can be done, and that this community has not been forgotten.”
Wednesday morning’s kickoff coincided with the Juneteenth celebration, which was carried out with purpose.
“We own this building, we own it, but it’s okay for people to take ownership,” said Janice Downing, co-owner of the new Coliseum, and also a prospective tenant. “If we can imagine next year’s Juneteenth, we’ll welcome another restoration of a building, and the year after that, another restoration of a building. That’s my mentality.”
Adam Duxter
