By Zev Radziwill

Luther Seminary has been a long integral part of St. Anthony Park whose presence has been deeply woven into the fabric of the community.

For more than a century, the seminary has contributed to our neighborhood’s educational, cultural and communal development. Its influence is felt across generations, and its impact on the character and values of St. Anthony Park will always be an important part of the community’s foundation.

While the decision to sell the campus is definitely a loss, we hope that Luther Seminary will remain in the neighborhood in some form and always be a part of the welcoming atmosphere that defines St. Anthony Park.

As you may know, Lifestyle Communities has a purchase agreement for the lower campus at 1501 Fulham Street.

Now, since news that the seminary’s upper campus is also up for sale, we at District 12 Community Council are curious to see who may be interested in that parcel of the property, too.

As development for the upper campus moves forward, we anticipate learning more about potential developers, and we will engage with them in the same way we have recently begun engaging with Lifestyle Communities — ensuring the community’s voice is heard throughout the process.

The upper campus area is unique for many reasons, not least because of its position at the heart of north St. Anthony Park — sitting atop a hill with sweeping views of the surrounding neighborhood. This neighborhood has always been a small, close-knit educational hub — one that has been central to the fabric of the community.

The site offers an amazing mix of green space, historical buildings and natural features that many residents feel very strongly about preserving. It has played a key role in shaping the neighborhood’s character.

In response to this news, St. Anthony Park Community Council District 12 is expanding our Lower Campus Task Force to also include the upper campus development.

The task force’s role will be to ensure that both sites are developed in a way that respects the character of the area — and addresses the needs of our neighbors. We’re taking this proactive approach to make sure the community remains central to these discussions.

We’ll be hosting several public forums on both the lower and upper campus sites as the projects progress. In addition, SAPCC’s Land Use Committee will be conducting surveys and other outreach efforts to give residents an opportunity to share their thoughts in multiple ways.

We want everyone in the community to have the opportunity to participate and voice their opinions on how these spaces should be repurposed.

We’ve also learned a great deal about this area through the Zvago co-op development process. Many of the concerns raised during that development — such as traffic, green space and preserving neighborhood character — are still top of mind as we consider how best to move forward.

We’re fortunate that trusted community members, including Sherman Eagles and Roger Purdy, who were involved in past projects, have agreed to join the Luther Campus task force. Their experience, along with that of other task force members, will be invaluable as we address the future of both the lower and upper campus sites.

Please feel free to reach out to us at District 12 if you have any further questions or need additional information. 

Zev Radziwill is executive director of the St. Anthony Park District 12 Community Council.

Photo cutline: Luther Seminary has had a long-lasting presence in St. Anthony Park. Photo by Janet Wight.