Future of Mpls. locks and dams uncertain — Public meetings July 16 & 17
Albert Bierstadt's depiction of St. Anthony Falls circa 1860. While some seek preservation of the dams for hydropower, others advocate for the return of a more naturally flowing river. (Painting detail courtesy Wikimedia)
Will we stay the course or are rapids on the horizon? The Army Corps of Engineers is studying its options for the Minneapolis locks and dams and holding public meetings in Minneapolis and St. Paul on this topic July 16 and 17. >>
Minnehaha Academy building heights update
After neighbors, FMR and Sierra Club raised concerns, the Minneapolis city council zoning and planning committee voted to lower the height of Minnehaha Academy's proposed campus expansion on West River Parkway.
The committee's recommendation to reduce the height of the new school buildings from 54 to 46 feet and use bird-safe glass goes before the full council for a vote May 25. >>
Is it time to remove dams from the Mississippi river gorge?
The spillway at Lock and Dam 1, a.k.a. the Ford Dam, in St. Paul.
Dam removal discussions are ramping up in the Twin Cities, and for good reason. Just as the Army Corps of Engineers embarks on a study to determine future ownership and operation of the locks and dams in Minneapolis and St. Paul, our local Mississippi river gorge was named to the 2018 list of American Rivers "10 Most Endangered Rivers."
Learn more, including FMR's position and recent media coverage. >>
Shovels in the ground for three new river destinations
Illustration of Halls Island to-be
Three new destinations are beginning to take shape along the river north of St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis, each with something different to offer. Coming up: a reclaimed island (image above), a destination riverfront restaurant, and one fully featured playground. >>
Learn about a huge N Mpls riverfront redevelopment and weigh in
Located roughly two miles north of downtown between the Lowry and Camden bridges, the city-owned Upper Harbor Terminal site is the largest remaining single-owner development opportunity along the river in Minneapolis.
Affordable housing. Parks and trails. A 10,000-seat riverfront amphitheater. A business incubator. All have been suggested as part of the redevelopment of the long-closed port of Minneapolis, the 48-acre Upper Harbor Terminal site in North Minneapolis. Come learn about the options and weigh in on what you'd like to see at a series of community meetings late-June through September.
Whose view? From where? — May 2017
We received several correct responses to last month's photo, taken from the banks of one of Minnesota's nicest small towns on the river.
Whose view? From where? — March 2017
We added some extra clues and extended the guessing window — and it worked! We received three correct responses. Have you figured it out yet?
N Mpls riverfront metal shredder required to move!
According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the neighborhood surrounding Northern Metals, which is located along the North Minneapolis riverfront, has the highest levels of lead poisoning and asthma hospitalizations in the city.
Friends of the Mississippi River was pleased to learn today that a settlement has been reached between the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the City of Minneapolis and Northern Metals Recycling. Northern Metals has been operating a metal shredder along the Mississippi riverfront in North Minneapolis for several years and part of their operation was temporarily shut down recently when they were caught failing to meet air quality standards required by their state permit.
Unlocking the future of St. Anthony Falls
What's at the end of the rainbow? Our local national park's visitor center at the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock. Photo by National Park Conservation Association.
Big ideas are bubbling up to transform the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock in downtown Minneapolis site. Closed to navigation in June 2015, the lock could become the centerpiece of the vibrant riverfront park and neighborhood that surrounds it.
