Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about this project. Have a question that’s not listed here? Please feel free to email us!

  • At the close of the 2026 Minnesota legislative session, EPNI secured funding to purchase half of the Roof Depot, debt-free.

    The bonding bill will transfer $4M from the state to the City of Minneapolis. EPNI will not hold any funds: the $4M is designated as part of the Roof Depot purchase agreement. The purchase will be finalized in the next few months and brought to the City Council for approval.

  • The City researched all possible ways to potentially save and/or restore the water tower at the Roof Depot site. The structural analysis found that it is extremely fragile and heavily rusted with little structure strong enough to support the weight. Because of its condition, it will need to be cut into several pieces for removal, taking great care with the risk of collapse in that process.

  • EPNI has secured a short term lease starting May 2026 to begin building urban farm infrastructure in the Roof Depot parking lot while we work on finalizing the details of a new Purchase Agreement. This lease allows us to work with community during pre-development to envision core infrastructure needs such as new ground material, tree canopy, composting, parking, etc.

  • Getting the building ready for commercial tenants could cost as much as $20 million. That money will come from a mix of grants, foundations, public agencies, investors, and loans. You can chip in here!

  • Based on ongoing community input over the past 10 years, we prioritize organizations and businesses with plans to bring fresh food, green jobs, clean energy and financial equity to East Phillips. We’ve received 70+ inquiries from interested tenants. Here are some of the emerging plans:

    • An indoor urban farm, fertilized in part by a large-scale aquaponics operation

    • A local print shop

    • The largest epicentral solar array in the country, build in collaboration with Cooperative Energy Futures

    • A cafe

    • Cultural markets

    • Collaborative art-making spaces

    • Have an idea? Email info@epnifarm.org

  • The City’s contract for deconstruction will stipulate that all debris is to be removed from the site, thereby facilitating maximum recycling in accordance with local ordinances and policies. We do not have signed contractors yet but are in conversation with Mortenson and Loffler.

    Our team will need at least 1 year to plan out with community financial modeling, design blueprints, governance/leadership models, and tenant engagement before any construction starts.

    Half of the Roof Depot will be used for sustainable industry (e.g. organic waste management/composting, aquaponics, or alternative sustainable industries like hempcrete) and the other half is for community tenants (art galleries, nonprofit offices, retail, cafes, etc.).

  • In Fall 2025, the community voted and agreed to a half-site purchase agreement after negotiations with the City of Minneapolis. Half of the Roof Depot was more feasible from a financial perspective. We are committed to building out the “urban farm, not toxic harm” dream with our half of the site. A full-site acquisition plan is not an option.

  • The parking lot area for the urban farm is 0.25 acres (roughly 21,000 sq ft). Due to zoning requirements for parking lots and mixed use building laws, this is the maximum size of the farm for now.

    The indoor urban farm area is to be determined based on tenant development.

  • In the first phases of the parking lot urban farm, 6 inches to 2 ft of woodchips and dirt will be laid on top of the asphalt. All food will be grown in raised beds above this, with a plastic lining to prevent roots from penetrating the asphalt and getting to contaminated soils. The asphalt is keeping arsenic capped from entering the atmosphere.

    Soil remediation may be an option in the future, pending funding and air quality precaution assessments.

  • Yes, we are a 501c nonprofit.

    We do not distribute grants, but strive in our programming to fairly compensate artists or invited speakers at events.

    EPNI is funded by a mix of state grants, philanthropic grants, and generous donors in our community.

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    • Fundraising and organizing events to galvanize neighbors for green investments

    • Attending our Seed Saturdays to tend to urban farm sites

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