Oversized development downsized at Mississippi and Minnesota River confluence
Last month, FMR appealed the Saint Paul Planning Commission decision to grant a height variance for a mixed-use luxury apartment building at 1465 Davern Street in the Mississippi and Minnesota River confluence area. We believed the development was oversized, especially compared to surrounding development, and that it would stick-out and greatly impact this significant portion of the river corridor.
Throughout the appeal process, lasting just over one month, FMR worked closely with many partners including an organized group of local neighbors, Friends of Shepard Davern, LLC, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Highland District Council, Friends of the Parks and Trails of Saint Paul and Ramsey County, Historic Fort Snelling – Minnesota Historical Society, and many other concerned neighbors and river-lovers. These great partners wrote comments to Saint Paul staff and council members, wrote editorials and provided quotes to local and state-wide newspapers, testified in front of the Saint Paul City Council and generally helped raise awareness about this proposed riverside development.
FMR and our partners are pleased that the Saint Paul City Council decreased the building height variance to allow a 60 foot building instead of a 73.5 foot building – a 13.5 foot decrease. While FMR believes that a building 60 feet tall so close to the river bluff will impact views from public overlooks throughout the valley, including Historic Fort Snelling, we are happy to see the building height decreased to more closely align with the recent rezoning in the area. We would like to thank the many people who shared their voice on this issue and helped maintain the scenic and historic landscape of the Mississippi and Minnesota River confluence valley.