800 empty heated and lighted classrooms with soap in the lavatories and
secure locks on the outside doors. Hmm. What could go in there.

Freebie examples:

Medical/dental assessments - vide the NIP clinic on Hennepin, run by
volunteer professionals with a sliding scale fee structure for uninsured
clients.

The resource shelf for infant supplies that Calvary Baptist maintains (and
Calvary's ESL classes and their sewing workshop).

Simpson Methodist's hand-me-down computers and computer tutoring (also found
at the House of Charity's dining facility on Park Ave.)

Evening classes for adults on a plethora of topics run by the school system
itself and other offerings run by the Free University.

Paying examples:

Night classes from Mankato State University - they have an ambitious
outreach program for students in the Twin Cities and TC suburbs. 

NRP offices now housed in rented facilities - possibly expanding service
activities and neighborhood events. Room for contract staff with
multi-neighborhood assignments.
   
Incubators for specialized service organizations like CLUES, AAFS, Blind,
Inc. - not these specific examples but rather comparable non-profits that
have budgets for facility rental and a likely growth curve.

Self-help groups. Lambda Sobriety Center was an anchor tenant for several
years in a fairly nondescript commercial building on Nicollet Ave. We paid
our way with membership money and eventually outgrew the place.

For-profit activities if the shoe fits - clean assembly work, telemarketing,
white-collar/pink-collar spillover for big outfits that have run out of
expansion room, free-standing commercial conversions like the suuks and
mercados.

These are nickel and dime suggestions, granted, but demolition is so very
terminal and eventual replacement so very expensive.  

Fred Markus, West Phillips   

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