Nov. 1, 2019 (MINNEAPOLIS) The City of Minneapolis is seeking development proposals for the redevelopment of two parcels in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood: Lot A, which is owned by the City and Lot A1, which is owned by Hennepin County. Both lots are near and northwest of the corner of 4th Street South and Cedar Avenue.

The City seeks to create an Africa Village cultural area and public market, which will provide both shopping and economic development opportunities for rising entrepreneurs. The development may also include affordable housing and public/community space, and parking.

“This is an exciting step toward delivering on our East African community’s vision for a public market, meeting demand for African goods in Minneapolis, and creating a more inclusive regional economy,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. “In the months ahead, we look forward to continue incorporating community feedback as the process moves forward.”

“I believe the public market can help address multiple issues raised by Cedar-Riverside community members by being a multi-use development providing services through an array of amenities,” said Ward 6 Council Member Abdi Warsame. “We hope this development project will not only empower community ownership over the brick and mortar building, but over the solutions to community issues it provides as well.”

The RFP and accompanying materials will be posted on the City’s project website. There will be a pre-proposal meeting on Friday, November 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Crown Roller Mill, located at 105 5th Avenue South, Suite 200. Proposals are due by Friday, January 10, 2020.

“The Africa Village Public Market will be unique,” said David Frank, Director of the City’s Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) department. “It will support rising entrepreneurs who want to grow their businesses. The RFP’s development objectives reflect the views of diverse stakeholders in the Cedar-Riverside community, and we encourage developers to submit their visions.”

For more information, please contact Emily Stern at Emily.Stern@minneapolismn.gov or 612-673-5191.

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