Critical park and trail connection in play

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is inching closer to purchasing Scherer Bros. Lumberyard in northeast Minneapolis. MPRB's purchase of the site will expand open space along the river in this area and provide a key trail connection from Boom Island Park to planned bike and pedestrian trails to the north.

This Northeast Minneapolis lumberyard site may turn into riverfront parkland.

Map: FMR — Orthoimagery: United States Geologic Survey

Several weeks ago, MPRB signed a purchase agreement with Scherer Bros. to purchase the 14-acre site. The portion of the site along the river would be developed as parkland, leaving some of the property available for private development.

The closing date for the property is in late May, and if all goes through as planned, MPRB would be on the hook for all 14 acres. The City of Minneapolis Department of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) is conducting a separate appraisal and studying the feasibility of marketing a portion of the site to a private developer. The project's chances of success will be much higher if MPRB and CPED can work together as partners in developing the site.

FMR and many others are enthusiastic about acquisition of this site for parkland along the river, and we will be watching and reporting on how the deal progresses. Stay tuned!