From vacant lot to skateable park

When Juxtaposition Arts in North Minneapolis had to demolish a building, they knew they would have a vacant corner lot on their hands. And they weren’t about to let a great opportunity like that go to waste. What stands there now is a vibrant community space and skate-able art part—and teenagers were involved in every step of the way. It’s only there for a limited time…Listen in.

On a busy street corner in North Minneapolis, there once stood a fenced-off, vacant lot. It was the site of a building Juxtaposition Arts had to tear down. While they worked to fund a new building, they weren’t about to let that space go to waste. What stands there now is a community gathering spot complete with some very cool artwork—and teenagers were a key part of the design process. Producer Emily Bright has the story. Photo: Bird Coulter (arms spread) with architect/instructor Samuel Babatunde Ero-Phillips (left), Qadiym Washington (middle), and Juxta director Kristin Murray (right).