FMR convenes town halls for St. Paul city leaders and advocates
Nearly 150 St. Paul residents came to a river-focused town hall with Mayor Carter. (Photo by Mike Durenberger)
This year, FMR has hosted or co-hosted three town hall meetings for St. Paul residents to speak with city leaders about riverfront priorities.
From the pending Ford Area C dumpsite cleanup plan, to the city's new riverfront development rules, to a frustrating disregard for established community plans, it's been a busy year in St. Paul. Our town hall meetings offered an opportunity for residents to show their elected leaders how much they care about the river, and to discuss these issues face to face.
Passionate river advocates packed each meeting.
Meeting with the mayor and city leaders
On October 15, 140 residents attended a meeting with then-Mayor Melvin Carter, and the city's parks director, public works director and chief sustainability officer.
The community session was co-hosted by FMR, West Side Community Organization, Saint Paul Bird Alliance, Highland District Council and West 7th/Fort Road Federation.
Questions flowed in about the city's commitment to cleanup at the Ford Area C and Pig's Eye dumps, why the city's adoption of its Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area ordinance is nearly five years behind schedule, a pattern of disregard for community-supported riverfront plans in favor of industry, how the city will prioritize Dakota history and leadership, and more.
We hope the room full of river advocates, plus their thoughtful questions, will stay with city leaders as these issues move forward.
Town halls with city council members
Earlier this year, Council President Rebecca Noecker and Councilmember Saura Jost also participated in town hall meetings with FMR and our River Guardians.
Our meetings with councilmembers were more focused on the critical area riverfront development ordinance. Both councilmembers shared their support for passing the ordinance and pledged to consider our recommendation to include a bird-safe glass requirement.
Councilmember Jost's constituents were also eager to discuss Ford's Area C dumpsite, which sits on the river floodplain in their neighborhood. We hope city officials will become more vocal advocates for holding Ford accountable to fully clean up its mess.
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We appreciate these elected leaders’ participation, as well as all of the River Guardians who came to share their concerns.
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