Rethos: Places Reimagined

08/23/2026

Congrats to Downtown Northfield MN!

Northfield, Minnesota, rightly touts itself as one of the cutest college towns around, with both Carleton College and St. Olaf College. Swing by on a weekend when school is in session for peak fall vibes, and check out sites such as Carleton’s Cowling Arboretum as well as restaurants, shops, and l...

08/23/2026

Look for details in September!

Interested in deconstruction and building reuse?

Rethos: Places Reimagined is launching the Deconstruction + Salvage School (DSS), a new pilot program that will train 20 Minnesotans through online learning and hands-on experience. Developed with support from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Build Reuse, the program runs January–April 2027 and includes a week-long field training with an experienced deconstruction trainer.

Applications open September 2026. Tuition is $1,450, with five need-based scholarships available.

Learn more and watch for applications on Rethos' social media and newsletter! Have questions? Reach out to Rethos' Continuing Education Manager Anna Schmiel at [email protected].

08/18/2026

At tonight’s Drinking in History, Saving the John Cook House. And it’s our first Drinking in History in Minneapolis!

08/13/2026

Why would a bicycle shop take on renovating an old house? On August 17, hear from the co-owners of Recovery Bike Shop and find out more about the support, challenges and future of restoring the John Cook House. Tickets for Drinking in History: "Saving the John Cook House - How a Community Came Together to Preserve a Minneapolis Landmark" at The Market at Malcolm Yards are available at the link. Just $10, $15 at the door.
https://www.rethos.org/events/drinking-in-history-saving-the-john-cook-house-how-a-community-came-together-to-preserve-a-minneapolis-landmark

08/11/2026

There’s nothing like gathering in a thoughtfully reused space to see what adaptive reuse can make possible. CUB Coalition leaders and supporters came together to kick off the next phase of advocacy with a reception at Mill City Event Spaces – formerly the Old Spaghetti Factory and, before that, a warehouse for furniture and farm equipment.

CUB stands for Conversion of Underutilized Buildings. An income tax credit being advanced by the CUB Coalition would help Minnesota communities respond to the growing challenges created by vacant and underused commercial buildings, including weaker tax bases, fewer jobs, reduced foot traffic, and missed housing opportunities. Through this effort, the CUB Coalition is sharing a vision for expanded adaptive reuse that honors buildings as assets that can be rehabilitated to support housing, local businesses, jobs, sustainability, and stronger commercial districts. The CUB Credit would be equal to a percentage of rehabilitation costs:

• 10% added to qualifying projects that use state and federal historic tax credits
• 10% for qualifying projects in non-historic buildings

Rethos is partnering with Hempel Real Estate, Sherman Associates and Momentum Advocacy on this initiative.

08/09/2026

We need a hero! 🎖 We're looking for nominations for the "Places Reimagined Civic Steward Award." This award recognizes an individual or organization whose work has helped improve policies, practices, or public understanding around caring for and protecting places and spaces. But hurry, nominations close August 15.⏳ Winners will be honored at the Wrecking Ball Gala in October. Details at the link in the comments.

08/07/2026

The weather was a bit uncooperative for National Lighthouse Day, but folks braved the elements and came out! They were able to take a look inside Rethos' North Pier Lighthouse, with additional tours and activities including the South Pier lighthouse. Rethos' Minnesota Main Streets Manager Shannon was on hand answering lighthouse, Lake Superior and Duluth questions-thank you Shannon!

08/07/2026

The final Twin Cities’ interview was with Jeremy Marshik, owner of LumberStash. LumberStash is a Minneapolis-based salvage company and deconstruction contractor that salvages lumber and other reusable building materials from renovation and/or demolition sites. Their unique business model was born out of necessity – operating out of just a truck and a garage, their low overhead costs helped make their business a success and keep their prices low. Jeremy and Anna discussed the barriers he’s faced operating a business outside the traditional reuse warehouse model and policies that would make it easier for others to start similar businesses.
Build Reuse

08/05/2026

The next Drinking in History is Monday, August 17th, 6:30pm at The Market at Malcolm Yards, South Blueprint Room. "Saving the John Cook House - How a Community Came Together to Preserve a Minneapolis Landmark" explains how the John Cook House has become one of Minneapolis' most inspiring recent preservation success stories. Join us for a conversation with the people leading the effort to save this remarkable 137-year-old home as they share how a grassroots movement rallied neighbors, preservation advocates, and supporters from across the community. Tickets at link in the comments.
Malcolm Yards Market

08/05/2026

Rethos’ Continuing Education Manager had a great interview with Alex Haecker, Principal at AWH Architects. They discussed the many environmental, economic, and social benefits of reusing existing building and how to overcome common difficulties in adapting buildings for a new use. Deconstruction and adaptive reuse are not contradictory approaches, but rather two complementary tools for increasing sustainability in the built environment and preserving history. Alex is also a Rethos Board Member.
Build Reuse