芝加哥社会企业Chicago Trend正在收购位于明尼阿波利斯北部的Hawthorn Crossings购物中心，并计划让当地社区成为该物业的所有者。[1]该公司CEO Lyneir Richardson发起了一项众筹活动，邀请当地居民以最低1000美元的投资额参与其中。[1]根据这一计划，社区投资者将最终拥有该物业49%的股份，而Chicago Trend保留51%的所有权。[1]
Richardson表示，"如果当地人投资，会使投资更可能成功，因为当地人会关心并保护它。"[1]公司计划至少持有该物业10年，预期到2036年投资能够翻三倍。[1]NEON主席Warren McLean指出，"我认为如果我们能掌控这个购物中心，这将是朝那个方向迈出的巨大一步。"[1]McKnight Foundation在2023年向Richardson的基金进行了投资。[1]
Chicago-based social enterprise Chicago Trend is purchasing the Hawthorn Crossings shopping center in north Minneapolis and has launched a crowdfunding initiative to bring local residents into ownership of the property [1]. CEO Lyneir Richardson is inviting community members to invest a minimum of $1,000 each, with the goal of allowing the neighborhood to acquire a 49 percent stake in the mall while Chicago Trend retains 51 percent ownership [1].
The developer plans to hold the property for at least 10 years, with investments projected to triple in value by 2036 [1]. Richardson stated that community participation would strengthen the venture's prospects, explaining that "if local people invest, it makes the investment more likely to be successful because local people will care for it and protect it" [1]. The property acquisition is scheduled to be completed by August 31, 2023 [1].
The initiative has drawn support from neighborhood leaders. Warren McLean, chairman of NEON, expressed optimism about the prospect, saying "I think if we can control this shopping center, that will be a huge step in that direction" [1]. The project has also attracted backing from established community figures including Rev. Alfred Babington-Johnson, founder and CEO of the Stairstep Foundation, and has received funding support from the McKnight Foundation, which invested in Richardson's fund in 2023 [1].