In 2019, Springboard for the Arts, a nationally recognized organization dedicated to building just and equitable communities through art, engaged 4RM+ULA to transform a long-abandoned Ford dealership into a vibrant creative hub. The design preserves the original building shell while giving it a bold new identity that reflects Springboard’s mission and connects with the diverse communities along University Avenue in St. Paul.

The reimagined space includes an outdoor plaza, a roof deck with views of the State Capitol, and flexible interior areas for art-making, performances, and community gatherings. The “Previously Owned Cars” sign was retained and reinterpreted, now wrapped in artwork by a local artist—serving as a symbol of creative reuse and renewal.

Following the civil unrest of 2020, the nearly completed building sustained fire damage. The community rallied quickly to restore and rebuild, and over the following year, 4RM+ULA collaborated with artists and local organizations to revitalize the site. The former parking lot was transformed into a green, flexible open space featuring murals and installations by BIPOC and Indigenous artists—artwork that now animates the building’s walls, glazing, and a new rainwater collection cistern.

Today, Springboard for the Arts stands as a living expression of resilience and collaboration—a place where art, equity, and community intersect to shape a more creative and inclusive future for St. Paul.

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