Long-awaited development approved for commercial property on Fremont Avenue

By David Pierini Staff Reporter

The City of Minneapolis recently approved the sale of a vacant 1920s-era building on Fremont Avenue North, whose new owners plan to redevelop the site into a black box theater, cafe and art gallery.

Baldwin Group LLC plans to rename the site after famed writer James Baldwin and hopes it will spark other developments on the block. The proposal for Baldwin Square has been in the works for a few years and the go-ahead finally came on Oct. 2, when the City Council approved the sale of the properties 4140-4146 Fremont Ave. N. for $1. 

“We are happy Baldwin Square is moving forward,” said architect Jamil Ford, whose firm Mobile Design & Architecture will redevelop the properties. “I’m grateful the City provided us the necessary approvals. This will be a community resource for a part of North Minneapolis that does not get a lot of attention in regards to economic opportunities.

“I think this is going to be a great opportunity to bring people to gather and really center the attention around arts, entertainment, food and be a safe place to talk about race, class, gender, sex, politics and social justice.”