Major renovations underway at Harbor Light Center in Minneapolis
One of the largest homeless outreach centers in Minnesota is getting a makeover.
Renovations are in full swing at The Salvation Army Harbor Light Center in Minneapolis, where the second and third floors of the six-story facility are being remodeled to enhance dignity, safety, and sanitation.
The second floor provides long-term emergency housing for men (30 days or more). The third floor offers short-term emergency shelter for women (30 days or less).
Improvements to the floors include:
Smaller rooms and single beds, with capacity for two to six guests per room. Previously, both floors included large rooms for up to 16 guests, with many rooms filled with bunk beds (pictured). - New bathrooms with touch-free toilets and faucets for enhanced sanitation.
- Updated ventilation, windows and lighting to increase energy efficiency and guest comfort.
Both floors had not been upgraded in more than 30 years, ever since The Salvation Army bought the building – formerly a Dayton’s department store warehouse – in the early 1990s. When the project is completed in June, the second floor (pictured below) will include 15 rooms and 60 beds, and the third floor will have 20 rooms and 52 beds.
This is the second major renovation at the Harbor Light Center in two years. In 2021, the facility’s short-term emergency shelter for men – called “Safe Bay” and located on the first floor – received a top-to-bottom makeover.
“We are excited about these renovations – they will allow us to serve people in need at a higher level for many years to come,” said Dan Tinklenberg, Facilities Director for the Harbor Light Center. “We are grateful to our staff, donors and partners for helping us make this project happen.”
Most of the current project is being funded with just over $6.7 million worth of federal grants. Remaining funds have come from generous Salvation Army supporters like you.
Funding is now being sought to renovate floors four and five. The fourth floor of the Harbor Light Center provides long-term emergency housing for women, while the fifth floor features transitional apartments for veterans and people experiencing chronic homelessness. The sixth floor is an office space.
The Harbor Light Center is a beacon of hope and safety, providing shelter and housing for up to 261 people every night, along with hot meals, spiritual guidance, medical care, case management, and other vital services.
Video
Watch a touching video about Darlene, a woman who was transformed at the Harbor Light Center after spending much of her life in prison and addicted to crack cocaine.