The Meadowbrook Medical-Dental Building at 6490 Excelsior
Blvd. was built by private investors for $5 million as an
office building for doctors and dentists practicing at
Methodist
Hospital. The Open House was held on April 18, 1970.
The
building featured a health club for professional men. The
4,000 sq. ft. clubroom featured an exercise room, shower,
lockers, massage and sun lamp room "with attendants
ever-present," sauna bath, snooze room, and a lounge and
relaxation area.
Problems arose because the site was built over swampland -
the floors dropped about 3 feet and undulated. On the ground
floor, services included Dahl Pharmacy, Lucille Heinen
Beauty Salon, Benson Optical, Blue Ribbon Cleaners, Victor
Kieweno Hearing Aid Lab, Alko Dental Studio, Mikrotts
Continental Barbers, Uniform Shop, dining facilities, and an
extended care wing. There was also a skyway to Methodist
Hospital.
Incidents at Meadowbrook:
In May 1973, the Meadowbrook Women’s Clinic opened, run by
Dr. Robert McCoy. A staff of four doctors and eight
counselors performed up to 100 abortions per week. Methodist
Hospital made it clear that it was not affiliated with the
clinic. In 1973, an anti-abortion sign was placed over the
parking lot. On October 15, 1973, the St. Louis Park City
Council passed a resolution “expressing concern for human
life” and condemning the clinic for performing abortions.
Councilwoman Rose-Mary Griak was the only member to vote
against the resolution.
In 1981, David Corum of Brooklyn Center made his way to the
Clinic and threatened to detonate a bomb, which turned out
to be made of soap, gas, water, and a double boiler. He
thought an ex-girlfriend might get an abortion there, and he
was demonstrating against convenience abortions. At the
time, the Clinic was the region’s largest abortion clinic.
Methodist Hospital purchased the building in 1990.
This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.