By Akičita Šuŋka-Wakaŋ Ska, Unicorn Riot
Minneapolis, MN — On August 11, 2025, the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute (EPNI) held a press conference in front of the Roof Depot site. They have fought continuously for three years around the Roof Depot issue, which was sparked when the City of Minneapolis wanted to demolish the former Sears warehouse building on 27th Street and Longfellow Avenue. The building had been built when a pesticide plant was in operation nearby, and it had effectively trapped arsenic particulates; this was the main reason the community stopped the demolition – to avoid being poisoned by toxic clouds.
The city’s original plan for the site included a public works expansion, which drew pollution concerns over the possible introduction of over 800 diesel trucks moving in and out of the area, kicking up air impurities in the process. The community-led resistance mobilized residents of East Phillips, which led to a victory in 2023, preventing demolition and securing a purchase agreement of the site for a transformative vision.
Historically, East Phillips has experienced over-pollution and high asthma rates. EPNI would like to counter with a central hub outfitted with solar panels, green energy programs, housing, and sustainable food systems via Blue Water Farms.
EPNI’s plan for the site includes a 30,000 square foot outdoor farm as well as a self-sustaining indoor agriculture system supported by $1.5 million in grants, according to Kieran Morris, the EPNI Outdoor Farm Coordinator. Additionally, youth apprenticeships, education programs, composting, mushroom cultivation and food sovereignty initiatives are already in the works, according to Morris. The building will also incorporate a rooftop solar farm, and there will be opportunities for East Phillips residents to own the space through community ownership models.
According to interim EPNI director Joe Vital, Mayor Frey has been “stonewalling” progress towards an agreement, with “delays causing more delays.” Each time there is a delay, says Vital, a new environmental assessment of the site costs ~$50,000 with the city spending around $2 million a year from the water fund to hold the site.
In the original deal with the city, the agreement was $15.9 million supported by state funding, but around $5.7 million was unexpectedly cut at the legislature in 2024, according to Darby Ottoson, EPNI’s communications director. EPNI has secured $10.2 million, with $6.5 million from the Minnesota state legislature in 2023, plus $3.7 million on their own through community-raised funds. $5.7 million was planned to be allocated to them, but in the 2024 legislative session, although they had the support and votes needed to pass, “since the roll call vote went just 30 seconds over the automated midnight deadline, it could not technically pass during this session,” EPNI said in a statement.
On August 16, 2025, a rally was held across the street from the demolished Smith Foundry building, adjacent to the Roof Depot site. Demands were made directed towards the city to accept the $10.2 million offer before the September 15 deadline. CJ McCormick of the Climate Justice Committee urged everyone to pressure Jacob Frey via his public phone number to accept the deal. The movement stayed committed towards building pressure if the city delays yet again.
On August 28, 2025, a protest is planned to take place addressing the ongoing ICE oppression, election meddling, and sabotage of the Roof Depot deal. EPNI and Mayor Frey were scheduled to sit down and meet on August 25, but the meeting was ultimately canceled by the Mayor’s office, citing “discomfort with a protest planned by the Climate Justice Committee for 8/28 outside of his residence related to the purchase negotiations.” The protest has since been moved.
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Published August 28, 2025