American Swedish Institute Signs Agreement to Purchase Property from Ebenzer.

MINNEAPOLIS -- The American Swedish Institute (ASI), a nationally recognized Swedish-American museum and cultural organization, has signed an agreement to purchase 1.8 acres adjacent to its building at 2600 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, from Ebenezer, a not-for-profit organization serving older adults. ASI will use the additional property to enhance a building expansion program that is under way. The property is the current site of Ebenezer Luther Care Center, a residential and transitional care facility, which Ebenezer plans to close. The two organizations expect to complete the transaction in September.

ASI has been planning a major education and cultural center to complement its current facility, a three-story mansion built in 1904-1908, and accommodate growing programs and participation. Each year, more than 100,000 people visit ASI to enjoy exhibitions, festivals, educational programs and research opportunities. The organization has a membership of nearly 6,000 households.

"ASI has enjoyed sharing the block with Luther Care Center; it is always sad to lose a good neighbor," said Bruce Karstadt, ASI president and chief executive officer. "We are grateful that Ebenezer gave us the first opportunity to purchase the adjacent property - a possibility we never envisioned when we began planning our expansion. Fitting the space we need to our current property site has been challenging."

The additional land will allow ASI to build its new facility on a landscaped campus and remain a vital community asset. With the new education and cultural center, ASI will expand programming and exhibitions, alleviating crowded classrooms and long waiting lists, while reducing wear on the nearly century-old mansion. The 50,000-square-foot addition, designed by B. Aaron Parker & Associates-MetroPeligo P.C., Minneapolis, will provide:

--Exhibition space,

--A 200-seat auditorium,

--Administrative offices,

--Classrooms,

--A research and genealogy library,

--A state-of-the-art storage for collections,

--A combined museum and book store, and

--Full-service cafe.

The new structure is designed as a contemporary building complementing the turn-of-the-century mansion. The acquired land will serve as a site for outdoor festivals and parking. ASI expects to complete the project in 2006.

"We are working with our architects to develop a building that serves our members and visitors, and grounds that enhance the West Phillips neighborhood," added Karstadt. "On the east side of the block, the new building will be set back from the street and the grounds landscaped to restore the greenway of lawns along Park Avenue from 28th Street to Franklin Avenue."

Funding for the acquisition will come from the ASI's fundraising campaign, Linking Generations, which has already raised $13.1 million for the new addition and restoration of the verandah on the mansion (completed in 2002). The campaign will also augment ASI's endowment fund. The original campaign plans included the parking needs of the Institute, but not the acquisition of the land, which will come from fundraising activities beyond the $18 million minimum campaign goal.

Under this agreement, Ebenezer will remove the Luther Care Center building and transfer the vacant property to ASI in March 2005.

"The decision to sell and close Ebenezer Luther Care Center was a difficult one. But given the current trends in the long-term care industry and the declining market for skilled nursing facility beds in South Minneapolis, it is an economic decision we had to make to ensure the long-term viability of Ebenezer," said Mark Thomas, Ebenezer president and chief executive officer. "Our commitment and focus now is to assist each and every resident to make this transition as smooth as possible. We will be working closely with residents and their families to find appropriate housing at one of our other Ebenezer facilities or the facility of their choice."

About Ebenezer

Ebenezer, a not-for-profit organization within Fairview Health Services, provides a full range of programs and services designed to meet the changing needs of older adults. Ebenezer's network of services includes long-term and transitional care, memory care, senior housing and assisted living, and adult and intergenerational day programs. For more than 85 years, Ebenezer has focused these services on fulfilling one mission - to help older adults and others make their lives as independent, healthful, meaningful and secure as possible.

About the American Swedish Institute

Founded in 1929 by Swedish immigrant newspaper publisher Swan J. Turnblad, the American Swedish Institute is a historic house, museum and cultural center offering a variety of programs designed to celebrate Swedish culture. The institute is housed in the former Turnblad mansion, which was built 1904-1908, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Hours: Tues., Thur.-Sat. 12-4 p.m., Wed. 12-8 p.m. and Sun. 1-5 p.m. (closed Mondays and holidays). Admission: $5, $4 ages 62+, $3 ages 6-18.