How Time Made Room for 30,000 Feet

A $1.1 million intervention created the conditions for 30,000 Feet to establish a permanent home on St. Paul’s East Side.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (2026) - In 2021, Land Bank Twin Cities stepped in at a critical moment, investing $1.1 million to acquire a vacant commercial property on Arcade Street in St. Paul. The former bank building sat at risk of prolonged vacancy or conversion to a use disconnected from the community.

LBTC intervened to change that trajectory. By acquiring and holding the property, Land Bank removed it from speculative pressure and created the conditions for a community-rooted solution to take shape.

“The Land Bank team believed in our mission early on and stepped in at exactly the right moment, bridging the gap between vision and ownership.,” said Kevin Robinson, executive director of 30,000 Feet. “Their ability to acquire and hold the building created a critical window of opportunity. Without that partnership, we likely would have lost the space before we had the resources to secure it ourselves.”

Through a structured, lease-to-own model, LBTC bridged the gap between vision and ownership. What could have been an out-of-reach opportunity became a permanent home.

In October 2025, the doors opened. For 30,000 Feet, the shift was immediate.

“Having a permanent home changes everything,” Robinson said. “For our organization, it provides stability. For the youth we serve, it means consistency, safety and belonging. They now have a space that is truly theirs.”

That permanence matters on the East Side.

“Being located here ensures accessibility and removes barriers to participation. This space isn’t just in the East Side. It is rooted in it, shaped by it and accountable to it,” said Robinson.

“This is exactly the role we’re built to play,” said Eddie Landenberger, Vice President and Director of Strategic Acquisition at Land Bank Twin Cities. “Step in at the right moment, take a property out of speculation and hold it long enough for a community-driven solution to take shape.”

What began as a $1.1 million intervention is now a long-term community asset.

“A $1.1 million intervention at the right time can change the trajectory of a property and create long-term community value that far exceeds the initial investment,” Landenberger said.

Today, the building is an active hub for East Side youth, supporting programming centered on creativity, mentorship and connection.

“Opening our doors in 2025 was both a milestone and a beginning,” Robinson said. “It marked a shift from possibility to presence. It’s about opening new pathways for creativity, opportunity and connection.”

This is the role Land Bank Twin Cities plays. Step in when timing matters. Hold land with intention. Create the conditions for community-led solutions to last.