Whittier Cooperative, completed in 1979, was PRG’s first project.

The group of neighbors who started PRG in 1976 wanted to make sure that sturdy, beautiful, resident-controlled housing continued to be part of their community.

They thought outside the box, assembling funding and expertise to convert the old Whittier School building into an affordable leasehold cooperative. This was the first school building conversion in Minneapolis. Today, it’s a neighborhood landmark, and the many residents—including some new, and some who have been there since the beginning—are proud to call it home.

When this project started, Whittier had been through a long period of decline. Today the area is bustling with new life and is home to Eat Street’s ethnic restaurants.