Weaving the Past, Present, and Future of 2511 E. Franklin Avenue

Augsburg University recently announced an agreement to sell the property to the Somali Museum of Minnesota to develop a permanent museum facility and cultural center on the former Bethany Lutheran Church site at 2511 E. Franklin Avenue.  A link to the press release on Augsburg’s website is here.  Augsburg has worked with Redesign to identify a financially sustainable, community-serving use for the property that contributes to the vitality of the East Franklin corridor. During the 2023 legislative session, the Somali Museum was approved for state funding to advance the project, with Noor Companies as developer. 

Neighbors and community members are invited to attend a community gathering to learn about about the past, present, and future of 2511 East Franklin Avenue on Saturday, April 27, from 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM at Matthews Recreation Center (2318 29th Ave. S). Please join us to learn about the Somali Museum and their vision for the site. Participants will be invited to share stories about the site’s history and place in Seward. 

• 12:30- 1:00 PM Sambusas, sweets, and Somali Tea  
• 1:00 - 2:00 PM Presentations by Augsburg, Seward Neighborhood Group's History Committee and Somali Museum of Minnesota, followed by a Somali Dance performance. 
• 2:00 PM Join a story circle for a chance to share stories about the site’s history, along with excitements, ideas and questions. Notes from these conversations will be compiled and shared with the museum as they begin to build their place in Seward Neighborhood.

For questions about the gathering, contact krista@redesigninc.org.