Somali community center being developed in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Somali organization has signed an agreement to purchase a 24,000-square-foot-building for a future Somali community center in Minneapolis.

The Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota announced the purchase agreement for the new center Tuesday. Executive Director Mohamud Noor says the center will be a “one-stop-shop” for his group and others to deliver programs and services to “transform the Somali community.”

Benjamin Fribley, the group’s communications and development manager, says the building’s price is $1.9 million. He says the Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota is fundraising.

The building at 2639 Minnehaha Ave. will house early childhood education programming, youth development activities, workforce development and technical training, social and recreational activities and cultural programming.

Fribley says the hope is that the center will be able to open this fall.