Brooklyn Park Seeks to Buy Northwind Plaza for Small Business Market
To encourage small business growth and protect space along the proposed Bottineau light rail route, the Brooklyn Park Economic Development Authority (EDA) wants to purchase the Northwind Plaza at the corner of Brooklyn Boulevard and West Broadway. The city hopes to turn the space into an incubator for diverse businesses and entrepreneurs.
According to the EDA, the Northwind Plaza would be the best space for the project in the long-run. Among several factors, the space will provide affordable and accessible space for micro-businesses and entrepreneurs, officials said.
The EDA, which consists of city council members, said the goal for the project is to create a market for diverse businesses much like the Midtown Global Market in downtown Minneapolis.
“We see a ton of entrepreneurial spirit among our cultural communities in Brooklyn Park,” said Kim Berggren, Brooklyn Park’s community development director. “There’s a lot of people trying to start up small businesses. This type of inclusive center would make space for people to come together, access business resources, connect with each other.”
The city will enter negotiations next month for the Northwind Plaza space. Officials hope to finalize agreements during July and August. If the process goes smoothly, construction is scheduled to begin Spring of 2022.
If the Northwind Plaza site does not work out, the city will consider locations at CVS on Brooklyn Boulevard or the former Brooklyn Park Library.
View of Northwind Plaza
