Target partners with local GC to rebuild damaged Minneapolis store in record time
Target Corp. isn’t wasting any time rebuilding its Lake Street store (in Minneapolis) that was heavily damaged in the riots following the death of George Floyd.
The store, which opened for business in 1976, will reopen in mid-November as one of the fastest rebuilds of a Target ever, according to the company. It is being rebuilt with a goal of creating a space “where the Lake Street community sees itself reflected — from the artwork on the walls to the products on our shelves,” said Cephas Williams Jr., group VP Target, in a blog post.
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“Today, with construction well underway, I recognize that how we rebuild is just as important—if not more so—as when we rebuild,” he said. “We want the Lake Street community to view this store as a part of itself, not just a place to shop. So we’re listening to the voices of the community and applying what we’re learning, and will continue to do so.”
In response to community feedback, the rebuilt store will have an expanded food and beverage section, and an additional entry next to the light rail for commuters. Landscaping and other inviting touches are being added inside and outside.
Reflecting the community focus, Target is rebuilding the store hand-in-hand with the people who live nearby. It has partnered with Noor Companies, a local and Black-woman-owned general contractor and developer, to lead the rebuilding efforts. (For a video on the rebuild, click here.)
In addition, the retailer has hired diverse subcontractors to assist with the project, several of whom employ team members from the local area. It also brought in ConstructReach, a workforce development organization that introduces young diverse talent to the construction industry, to help with the project.
Along with reopening the store, Target has partnered with Lake Street nonprofits such as the YWCA throughout the summer to provide essential food and supplies to those in need. The company has accelerated $1 million in grants for small business recovery and rebuilding through the Target Foundation, supporting organizations such as the African Economic Development Solutions, the Latino Economic Development Center, the Neighborhood Development Center and the Lake Street Council.
The company also kicked off its commitment to 10,000 hours of pro-bono consulting services for Black-, Indigenous- and people-of-color-owned businesses in the Twin Cities to help with their rebuilding efforts. And local employees have volunteered hundreds of hours to help with clean-up and community support in the area.
“Looking ahead, I know we have opportunities to drive lasting change, and I have hope,” Williams Jr. said. “Seeing the work underway at this store, I feel our purpose in action. When we reopen our doors, the Lake Street store will be a place where our guests can discover the joy of everyday life—a place that’s welcoming and hopeful.”