Realizing RiverFIRST
The Scherer Park District includes a bold vision for a destination park with a new beach.
Image: Tom Leader Studio/Kennedy & Violich Architecture (TLS/KVA)
The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board gave the nod this week to endorse a strategy for moving forward with RiverFIRST: A Park Design Proposal and Implementation Framework for the Minneapolis Upper Riverfront. MPRBs official approval of RiverFIRST, scheduled for March 14th, will set the stage for a concerted effort to transform the riverfront in north and northeast Minneapolis through detailed park site planning, fundraising and partner collaboration.
Last year the RiverFIRST proposal won the MPRB design competition for a new vision for five miles of riverfront from the Stone Arch Bridge to the northern city limits. Since, the winning design team, led by Tom Leader Studio of Berkeley and Kennedy & Violich Architecture of Boston (TLS/KVA), has been meeting with community leaders and stakeholders, and testing and refining the vision to include an ambitious, but achievable five-year plan. MPRB staff and consultants further refined the RiverFIRST proposal and implementation strategy and presented it to the Board of Commissioners February 15th.
Hall's Island will be restored, creating of a safe and inviting channel for paddlers and other water activities.
Image: Tom Leader Studio/Kennedy & Violich Architecture (TLS/KVA)
With the adoption of these recommendations, MPRB will take a significant first step toward making the compelling RiverFIRST vision a reality for Minneapolis residents and visitors, says Bruce Chamberlain, MPRB Assistant Superintendent for Planning. Throughout the citys history, a lack of interconnected natural public and green space has impeded residents enjoyment of our magnificent river amenity. With the realization of RiverFIRST, the Minneapolis Park Board and our partners can literally and figuratively change the Upper Riverfront landscape in as little as three to five years.
Planning Services two additional recommendations are formally adopting RiverFIRST as the project name and identity and authorizing a series of next steps, including seeking a regional park boundary adjustment for the Scherer site; using RiverFIRST as a basis for coordinating with the City of Minneapolis to update the Above the Falls Master Plan; seeking a scope of work and fee proposal from TLS/KVA for the next stage of design; and working with the Minneapolis Parks Foundation to establish a collaboration agreement with RiverFIRST implementation partners.
The Farview Park Extension will begin a long-overdue process to connect northside residents to the river, beginning with completion of the 26th Avenue Greenway.
Image: Tom Leader Studio/Kennedy & Violich Architecture (TLS/KVA)
This is a very exciting time for the riverfront in Minneapolis, offered FMRs executive director Whitney Clark. The Minneapolis Park Boards new staff leadership and renewed visioning for continuous parks and trails north of downtown is very promising; and FMR is looking forward to continuing to work closely with the Park Board, the city and local neighborhoods to bring this vision into being.
For more information, the RiverFIRST resolution and supporting documents are available at MinneapolisParks.org and MinneapolisRiverfrontDevelopmentInitiative.com.