The United Nations at St. Anthony Avenue
Twin Cities Planet, Minnesota - October 9, 2007
Skyline Tower is a massive building that accommodates more than 500 tenants from different countries with varied ethnic backgrounds. Built in the 1970s, Skyline Towers, also known by many as the "United Nations," has been home for immigrant families from Asia to Africa. It is sometimes overcrowded.
"My sister used to live here about 20 years ago. I like working here, learning all these different dialects and cultures" says Yvonne Brazelton-Singleton, program assistant with CommonBond Communities which took over the Skyline Tower a few years ago.
Over the past years, 1247 St. Anthony housed thousands of foreigners from all over the world. These days, many Somalis live at the Skyline Tower, becoming the majority of its tenants. In the 1970s, mostly Asian tenants, especially from Vietnam occupied it. Since the 1970s, not only the residents, but also the building management have changed.
"Many families like the Skyline Tower for various reasons" says Bekama Mohamed, from Somalia. It is the first stop for many Somali immigrants and many have learned to compromise with their neighbors. Many agree that it is one of the places in the Twin Cities where foreigners with little or no English language skills can live and slowly adjust to life in America ...