Building stronger
urban communities
North Minneapolis
UROC
2001 Plymouth Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55411
612-626-UROC (8762)
uroc@umn.edu
Community use of
space at UROC
Map and directions to UROC
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The U of M UROC Building
The Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center is located in North Minneapolis, on the corner of Penn Avenue N. and N. Plymouth Avenue. It’s more than a University building. it's a hub for collaborative research and problem-solving, a bridge for engaged teaching and learning linking the University with North Minneapolis, and a community gathering place for dialogue and cultural events.
The University purchased and renovated the building, a former strip mall, to firmly anchor the center in the Northside community. Formerly an underutilized strip mall known as a site for drug dealing, the 22,000-square-foot building was renovated starting in Janury 2009. The University partnered with Stahl Construction and Best Enterprises on the project.
The UROC building renovation met State of Minnesota goals for sustainabie building design—meeting high standards for reducing energy expenditures, enhancing health and productivity for the building occupants, and improving the quality of the natural environment.
In addition, the UROC building renovation surpassed hiring and subcontracting goals for women- and minority-owned business enterprises (WMBE). The University set a target of 30% WMBE participation, triple the customary University goal. The final UROC record showed hat 26 WMBE firms participated in the renovation for a total of $1,462,202 in contracts—38 percent of total construction cost.
Architects for the project were Urban Design Perspectives and Charles Levin Architects. Archie Givens, CEO and director of the Legacy Management and Development Corporation, served as the owner’s representative with responsibility for overseeing the UROC building renovation.
The University of Minnesota UROC building at Plymouth and Penn avenues in North Minneapolis is open Monday–Friday
from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
