1700 Project Mpls Campus

March 26, 2026
Mpls City Council Meeting

The Minneapolis City Council approves our appeal of the Heritage Preservation Commission decision that the 1700 Chapel was a building of “potential significant interest” unanimously. From here, Minneapolis Mayor, Jacob Frey, needs to sign this approval. This decision is then published at the Finance & Commerce site, and there is a 10-day period for anyone to appeal in court. After that, Mount Olivet will be free to apply for, and expect to receive, a demolition permit for the 1700 building in Mpls.

With regard to the question of when demolition may start, Mount Olivet needs to complete three additional steps before any demolition would begin.

1) A re-zoning application
2) An approved business plan
3) A completed design phase of the new space

While Mount Olivet wouldn’t necessarily have to wait for all three of these to be completed before demolishing, it’s important to note that, although we’re calling it demolition, we actually want to deconstruct the building so as to re-use as much of the existing materials as possible. Materials of interest include: iconic Kasota stone, beautiful wood, and creative possibilities for the existing stained glass.

All of this means we need to have a complete design for the new space in order to know what we want to, and can, re-use, and this plan will guide the demolition. Senior Pastor Lose does not intend to invest in the design phase until Mount Olivet has successfully completed the steps that require city approval, therefore the church will carry out these steps in the order listed above.

March 24, 2026
In-Person Appeal to the Minneapolis City Council

The City Council, meeting as “the Committee of the Whole,” hears Mount Olivet’s in-person appeal to overturn the decision of the Heritage Preservation Commission and votes to recommend granting our appeal.

February 10, 2026
In-Person Hearing Regarding our Request for a Permit to Demolish

Mount Olivet met with the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) and presented our rationale for why the 1700 Chapel should not be considered for historic significance. Ultimately, the HPC disagreed and denied our application. Mount Olivet then initiated an appeal to the City Council, per the city’s guidelines.

December 27, 2025
Submission of Application to Demolish 1700 Chapel to the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission

With significant input from Historical Preservationist and Consultant Amy Lucas, of Landscape Research, and with help from Kraus Anderson, who conducted a thorough Facility Condition Assessment, Mount Olivet submitted an application to demolish the building in response to learning that the 1700 Chapel was marked as a building of “potential significant interest.”

June 23, 2025
Community Open House, Mpls Campus

Mount Olivet invited community input on the 1700 project; we gathered in the Mpls Campus Rehearsal Hall to share the hopes and values guiding this project and to receive questions and feedback from neighbors in south Minneapolis. Between 30-35 people gathered and there was strong support to move ahead. We heard some excellent suggestions, received some very good questions, and also were able to address some legitimate concerns. Whatever the suggestion, question, or concern, each person first offered their support of this idea and concept.