The Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON) will break ground next month on a long awaited $21 million commercial kitchen project that will provide badly needed food prep space to hundreds of small area businesses, officials announced last week.
The 24,000-square-foot NEON Collective Kitchens project is expected to help dent north Minneapolis’ reputation as only a fast-food haven. Not only will it help food truck and other food operations, it will have a retail section where residents can buy fresh vegetables and healthy meals prepared by catering businesses using the site.
The kitchen incubator will be on W. Broadway next to the Capri Theater.
After years of work dealing with zoning changes, easements and other matters, the city is in the final stages of selling the land to NEON. Approvals are expected any day.
“It’s a big deal,” said Erik Hansen, director of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development.
Once open, the business incubator will feature eight massive kitchens, storage, a food court area, plus classrooms and offices on the second floor. Each kitchen will be more than 3,000 square feet, NEON President Warren McLean said.
The facility is expected to create 261 construction jobs and another 264 permanent jobs in north Minneapolis that pay at least $18 an hour. Once open, the commercial kitchens and food hall area are expected to generate about $2 million a year in revenue.
The project is the latest of several targeted for north Minneapolis. Real estate developer and former NBA player Devean George is building a $29 million factory near the Minneapolis Farmers Market that will produce modular homes and commercial spaces.