April West Side Flats community conversation wrap-up

by Alicia Uzarek

Whitney Clark, FMRs executive director, moderated a panel discussion with John Anfinson (MNRRA), Anthony Kuechle (Sherman Associates), Lucy Thompson (St. Paul), and Hokan Miller (WSCO Riverfront Development & Land Use Committee)

Photo: Irene Jones/FMR

Should the City of St. Paul and the West Side approve buildings so tall that they block views over and through the Mississippi River Valley in St. Paul?

This question, from keynote speaker John Anfinson, MNRRA, opened the night and captured why over 75 citizens and decision makers attended our recent West Side Flats community conversation, The Valley of Saint Paul: The Legacy of an Iconic Landscape.

The conversation was timely as the City of St. Paul is nearing completion of a Master Plan update for the West Side Flats. One of the proposed changes from the existing 2001 Master Plan is increasing the maximum allowable building height from 65 feet to 125 feet with a conditional use permit on a portion of the West Side Flats. FMR and MNRRA are concerned that nearly doubling the allowable building heights will block many views over and through the West Side Flats and result in serious degradation of a very significant landscape.

Anfinson described this landscape as unique. He pointed out that no other city along the Mississippi River has a downtown area perched high looking up and down the Mississippi framed by its bluffs or can claim that the Mississippi grows up, or widens, to become the Big River of fame and lore in their town. As stewards of this locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally significant landscape, Anfinson called for city leaders to follow their predecessors 100 or more year leadership and plan for responsible development that respects the landscape and views. He argued that this will attract people and increase demand for development as People seek out places that have preserved their unique character to live, work, and visit.

The panel discussion brought to light factors developers face when building on the West Side Flats such as increased cost for mitigating polluted land, poor soils that require deep pilings for building foundations, and the inability to construct underground parking due to a high water table. Increasing building height is a way developers can mitigate these extra costs. Additionally, Anthony Kuechle, Sherman Associates, explained that more dense neighborhoods are better for the overall environment and that if you allow buildings above five stories, you will get a higher quality and longer lasting building. This is due to the fact that developers are required to switch from a wood frame building to a steel or concrete frame when they build above five stories.

The next step in the West Side Flats Master Plan update is for the West Side Flats Community Task Force to finalize the plan. That is expected to occur in the next few months. From there, the West Side Community Organization and St. Paul Planning Commission will weigh in on the document. Finally, the City Council and Mayor will decide whether or not to adopt the plan. This process is expected to conclude well before the end of the year. For more information, visit the City of St. Pauls website dedicated to the process.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, April 20, 2024 - 9:30am to 12:00pm
West River Parkway and 36th Street/44th Street, Minneapolis
Applications due Friday, May 3 by 5 p.m.
Virtual and in-person
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Hampton Woods Wildlife Management Area