Rehabilitation Center, Family Store Beautifully Remodeled

Construction is officially complete on a top-to-bottom remodel of The Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center in Minneapolis and the Salvation Army Family Store that is attached to it

The project at 900 N. 4th St. started two years ago and includes 224,000 combined square feet.

“We now have a full-featured, state-of-the-art facility offering safer, healthier and more dignified programming for those wanting to overcome substance abuse,” said Envoy Tom Canfield, the facility’s business administrator and a 2006 graduate of the rehabilitation center. (Read Tom’s incredible story.)

Here’s a closer look at the exciting improvements to the rehabilitation center and store:

Rehabilitation Center

The rehabilitation center provides up to one year of meals, housing, guidance, and other transformative support for men battling addiction and other hardships. In most cases the program is free, with funding from sales at Salvation Army Family Stores in the Twin Cities.

The renovation project has allowed the rehabilitation center to offer residential spiritual and social rehabilitation to more men, upping the capacity from 100 to 142.

Improvements to the center have been extensive, including:

• Updated residential rooms and meeting spaces with new layout, furnishings, and HVAC system
• Refreshed commons area with modern amenities and new furnishings
• Upgraded kitchen, dining area, and bathrooms

Many code updates have been made as well, such as the replacement of all electrical, plumbing and heating systems, along with the addition of fire safety enhancements and the removal of any lingering hazardous material. A new ventilation system delivers fresh, filtered air to control airborne bacteria.

The rehabilitation center has operated at its current location since 1946 but has not been updated since 1964.

Family Store

The remodeled store – located on the main floor of the rehabilitation center – offers a new shopping experience that is fresh, inviting and convenient.

Enhancements to the store include:

• Improved showroom with new layout, paint, flooring, LED lighting
• Indoor drive-through donation center
• New exterior signage

The new-look store is expected to be more profitable. Even in its previous state, the store was one of the top-grossing Family Stores in the Midwest.

“After the remodel, we expect sales to increase by 20 percent,” Canfield said.

Long time coming

Planning for the project began 15 years ago. More than 80 percent of the funding needed for the renovation has now been secured, through private donations, a real estate sale, and bank financing.

“This project was made possible by the work of many Salvation Army officers and contracting partners and, more importantly, the considerable support of the Frauenshuh Companies’ Project Management division and other compassionate donors,” said ARC territorial commander Major Randall Polsley. “The partners energetically embraced The Salvation Army’s vision and, together, we have created a bigger and more dignified space to help rebuild the lives of those struggling with substance abuse.”

Canfield is thrilled about the opportunities that the remodeled facility will bring to the people it serves and the Minneapolis community.

“This is an exciting time for us,” he said. “This area is the center of recovery in Minneapolis and we feel blessed to be in this position.”