So far all the new construction has been a similar replacement for what was there before. This is the first project that is a significant upgrade on the building that was damaged or destroyed:
Somali mall, Walgreens burned in Minneapolis riots set for $40M redevelopment
Apartments, office and retail would replace Somali mall, Walgreens on Lake Street site.
By Dee DePass Star Tribune DECEMBER 9, 2020 — 9:49PM
Plans to redevelop the Karmel Square Mall in south Minneapolis into a $40 million office, retail and apartment building have won preliminary approval from the Minneapolis Planning Commission.
The property had been a Walgreens store at 200 W. Lake St. and behind it — at 2910 Pillsbury Av. — a popular mall frequented by the Somali community. The property is believed to be the first Somali-focused mall in the country.
The Walgreens store and other surrounding structures on Lake Street were burned and sustained sprinkler damage during riots in May following the police killing of George Floyd, so the redevelopment plans are a boon to the city.
Under the plan approved by the Planning Commission Monday, the mall and Walgreens will be redeveloped into an eight-story building called the New Karmel Square.
https://www.startribune.com/somali-m...ent/573343331/
A streetview of the location before the riots:
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.9483...7i16384!8i8192
Hopefully we see more of this along Lake Street. It is an improvement on what is there now without changing the culture or the demographics of the surrounding area