On March 17 and 18, a two-day demolition project at 1200 West Broadway was completed.  Twenty-eight Minnesota employees from 16 Pohlad-owned companies participated in the project.  The project contractor estimated the demolition work had a value of $17,000.  Because volunteers finished significantly more work than had been scheduled, savings to the project budget will increase.

The Pohlad Family Foundation “adopted” the Cottage Park area in North Minneapolis, an area financially neglected for years.  The internal demolition of this commercial building is one way the Foundation is helping improve the area, although more projects will be scheduled in the future.  Once completed, the building will house businesses that will generate revenue for the area and also stimulate local businesses.

Volunteer employees worked hard tearing down walls and ceilings, ripping up floors, picking up tires around the facility, and hauling debris that filled eight large commercial dumpsters.  (To see photos, click here.)  Team-work was evident on both days and complaining non-existent.  Employee comments include: 

• Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this great project. It was a very rewarding day in many ways. Scott O’Connell, Minnesota Twins
• Thank you for the opportunity to assist yesterday.  It was hard work, but it felt good to get out of the office and do something for a good cause. Jeff Kerfeld, Avtex
• Hard work but I had fun!  Mecille R. Shelton, Marquette Transportation Finance
• I felt like we did two days worth of work.  I could barely move yesterday.  Every bone and muscle in my body was aching (but in a good way)!!  Jennifer Senecal, Marquette Financial Companies
• It is a unique project, connected to the hearts and minds of those of us in the metro area, and one that the companies can feel proud to have their name behind. Amanda Daley, Minnesota Twins
• Thanks for getting us involved in the project yesterday.  I feel we made great progress for a great cause.  Bill Jundt, RJM Construction

If you would like more information about this project, email Rose Peterson at rpeterson@pohladfamilygiving.org .