A riverfront location for the MWMO

A sketch of the proposed design.

The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) is putting the finishing touches on plans for their new headquarters on the Mississippi River in northeast Minneapolis. Last year the MWMO purchased property from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers located on Marshall Street just north of the Lowry Bridge. After months of planning, the MWMO board approved schematics for the new building and grounds last week.

As an organization whose mission is to improve water quality, the MWMO encourages cities, the park board and watershed businesses and residents to use best management practices for treating stormwater. Now the MWMO is aiming to demonstrate many of these practices on their new property. Coupled with greatly expanded opportunities for education and interpretation, the site will provide a living laboratory where watershed stakeholders can learn about protecting and enhancing water quality.

Some of the exciting new features include:

• Rainwater gardens, bio-swales, porous pavers and other best management practices
• On-site treatment of stormwater from the public right-of-way and adjacent properties
• Native tree plantings for water quality, habitat and visual screening
• Flexible indoor and outdoor classroom and meeting space
• Public access to the river
• Space for future bike and pedestrian trails
• Canoe landing

To get the complete picture of the new building and grounds, visit the MWMO's website where you can download the development plan and graphics.

— Irene Jones, River Corridor Program Director