One of the poorest and most diverse neighborhoods in Minneapolis is getting a community center with a gymnasium and kitchen, says Finance and Commerce.

Ground has been broken for the East Phillips Cultural and Community Center at  East Phillips Park, 2307 17th Ave. S. It's scheduled to be finished next fall.

The project has been on the parks wish list since 1997, Finance and Commerce notes:

“Different people over the years had made attempts to get it up a flagpole, but it never stuck,” said Minneapolis Park Board Member Annie Young, a longtime backer of the project.

Lack of funding was the biggest obstacle, but in 2006 the state approved $3.5 million for construction, furnishings and equipment for the center.

Other funding sources include $319,000 from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s 2008 Capital Improvement Program, $180,000 from the East Phillips Improvement Coalition and $100,000 from Toyota Environmental Funds.

The building will have teen space, a computer lab, “programmable” rooms, a high school-sized gym and a kitchen.