Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul announced Wednesday that it is the new owner of a Bandana Square building in the Energy Park area.
Previously the Best Western Plus Como Park Hotel, the storied building at 1010 W. Bandana Blvd. will be used to address growing community needs, provide emergency shelter, food, clothing, tutoring, job coaching and more, according to a news release from the nonprofit.
Gov. Tim Walz last fall awarded the nonprofit $6 million in emergency shelter funds, authorized by the American Rescue Plan State Fiscal Recovery Fund, which made the acquisition possible, per the release.
The building was purchased from Pacific Lodging LLC for $7.3 million, according to property records filed with the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
Plans for the new location include programming to foster economic stability and mobility, administrative operations and an expanded space for Project Home, a program that provides emergency shelter and rapid exit case management services for local families facing homelessness.
“The growth and impact of Project Home, which started as a mobile shelter hosted by our member faith communities, shows this strength in action,” said CEO Liliana Letran-Garcia, in the release. “This milestone enables Interfaith Action to write the next chapter of our story with ownership of a new home, providing shelter to even more unhoused families while continuing to strengthen our roots and relationships in the community.”
The nonprofit’s Department of Indian Work, which provides programs for emergency services, health services and youth enrichment, will continue at 3080 Centerville Road in Little Canada, according to the organization.
Originally founded in 1906 as the St. Paul Area Council of Churches, the organization rebranded in 2015 as Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul to suit its “expanded vision for more partnerships across multiple, diverse faith communities, while continuing to provide high impact social services,” according to a news release announcing the change.
Interfaith Action’s new residence was sold in 1996 for more than $2.4 million and again in 2007 for over $6 million, according to Ramsey County property records. A 2025 valuation notice for the property estimates the market value around $5.7 million.
The building originally was a Northern Pacific Railroad repair facility.
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