Several Minnesota officials were on hand as “La Raza” debuted its new studio facility Thursday, 110 days after fire destroyed its former South Minneapolis studios amid unrest following the death of George Floyd.
“La Raza” (K239CJ/95.7 and KMNV/1400) was among numerous Lake Street businesses destroyed or damaged by fire in late May. It was off the air for a week before resuming programming from studio space at community radio station KFAI/90.3.
The station’s new studio is on Lyndale Avenue South, just north of I-494 in Richfield.
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, Attorney General Keith Ellison, State Sen. Patricia Torres-Ray, Richfield Mayor Maria Regan Gonzalez, and others joined station owner Maya Santamaria for a ribbon-cutting covered by local media.
Welcome to Richfield, La Raza Radio! The station is one of the city's newest businesses. Both Mayor Maria Regan Gonzalez and Councilmember Simon Trautmann took part in today's ribbon-cutting ceremony. pic.twitter.com/7BbvsHD2Ny
— Richfield, MN (@CityofRichfield) September 16, 2020
“I know that La Raza and Nuevo Rodeo were destroyed, and to see your commitment to the community to be broadcasting one week later, and now four months later to have built a new studio to serve the community, it’s really inspirational in a time when it’s hard to come by inspiration,” Flanagan said in an interview with the station that was part of the event.
“La Raza” is the only radio station with studios in Richfield, though two commercial radio stations (KKMS/980 and KDWB/101.3) remain licensed to the suburb after starting there decades ago.
“La Raza” is one of two Spanish-language stations in the Twin Cities, competing with “El Rey” (W235CT/94.9 and WREY/630).