U of M to Build Facility in North Minneapolis
In Feburary 2008, the University of Minnesota bought the former Plymouth-Penn shopping center at 2100 Plymouth Ave N, in North Minneapolis. The U of M plans to begin construction and rehab on the property soon, turning it into the UROC, the Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center; which is currently located on campus at 110 Morrill Hall. The center is proposed to open in late 2009.
The center was started several years ago as Minneapolis Mayor, R.T. Rybak encouraged the university to help solve the complex problems in North Minneapolis. The goal was to create partnership aimed at building a stronger and healthier neighborhood that would tie together community and university expertise and resources and leverage these with city and county services and resources.
Once open, the UROC building will provide space for outreach and research programs centering around early childhood education, health disparities in relationship to income, 4-H, family development, and youth leadership to name a few. Multiple private and federal grants will help establish programs that will benefit the residents of North Minneapolis.
I’ll believe it when it happens.
There are still more good people in North than bad and what they need up there are jobs! My question is will this create jobs in the community?