Minneapolis Riverfront Organization

The City of Minneapolis has initiated a proposal to institute a public-private non-profit organization dedicated to realizing the citys riverfront vision by helping to coordinate, promote, fund and implement economic and park development along the river corridor in Minneapolis.

History and background

The Mississippi in Minneapolis holds some of our regions greatest river treasures. The one and only true gorge, flowing seven miles from Saint Anthony Falls to Fort Snelling, is buffered by a large beautiful natural area park, with trails and parkways that are well connected to a residential neighborhood, all of which were envisioned and realized more than a century ago. The central riverfront in downtown is where Minneapolis began, and it holds a rich fabric of historic preservation, economic and civic achievements, surrounding one of our nations unique geological features (Saint Anthony Falls is also the only waterfall on the entire length of the Mississippi River). A renaissance of park and urban development has occurred on the central riverfront in recent years, where by the mid 20th Century, the Milling Capital of the World had evolved into a dirty river flanked by railroad tracks, barges and skid row. Upstream of downtown or Above the Falls, an area characterized by low banks and heavy industrial use, is still waiting to achieve a public and natural riverfront with continuous parks and trails that will connect to local neighborhoods and provide a critical missing link in our regional trail system.

Two years ago, Minneapolis embarked on a study to determine if a riverfront organization or corporation could assist with and accelerate the City and Park Boards river corridor planning and development goals, especially above the falls. The study culminated with a working group called the Riverfront Blue Ribbon Task Force (RBR), which convened to consider and then recommend the organizational changes or model members felt would work best to allow riverfront revitalization in Minneapolis to continue as effectively and efficiently as possible. The RBR met for five months and settled upon a model that is described in a report on the citys website and includes:

  • Identification of the success criteria that the new organization model should achieve
  • Identification of the functions that a new organization model would have
  • A recommended organization model that would result in the creation of a new public/private entity

In addition, the RBR report includes and is based upon a working vision for riverfront revitalization in Minneapolis that was developed earlier during the study. Key goals of the working vision are:

  • A healthy ecosystem
  • Exceptional riverfront parks
  • World-class history and culture
  • A vital livable community

What is proposed?

The proposed new Minneapolis Riverfront Organization would be governed by a board made up of both public and private representatives and would serve four primary functions: coordination, fundraising, outreach/communications and design assistance. The new organization would not replace the functions of current city and park board activities and authorities, but rather supplement them in areas where assistance is needed most. Key components of the proposal are summarized below and several reports and other information are available on the Citys website.

Governance

The proposed Riverfront Organization Board would include private, nonprofit, foundation, business and community leaders, and representatives from the government bodies listed below. The board chair-ship will be shared between two members (one public and one private).

  • City of Minneapolis
  • Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
  • Hennepin County
  • Metropolitan Council
  • Mississippi Watershed Management Organization
  • Minnesota Historical Society
  • University of Minnesota

Organizational functions

  • Supporting coordination of the various revitalization activities within Minneapolis and working at a regional level to achieve the vision in an efficient and effective manner.
  • Advocating and seeking funding for key activities.
  • Enhancing communication to a wide number of audiences about the importance of the River and achieving the vision.
  • Helping guide the future of the riverfront through design input and making recommendations on how proposed plans and projects can help achieve the vision.

Intended goals and benefits

  • Enhanced ability to coordinate efforts among entities involved in riverfront work so all are pulling in same direction at same time for optimum effectiveness
  • Good potential to attract new investors and increased support from parties who may be more interested in supporting coordinated riverfront revitalization than in fielding multiple disparate requests
  • Riverfront revitalization outcomes may be better if projects are inspired over long-term to achieve multiple aspects of vision, not just meet minimums or achieve one entitys set of goals
  • Potential for streamlining development process and making it more effective and productive; will allow overall community to have more productive input into plans, projects, proposals

FMRs position

Friends of the Mississippi River supports the proposed new organization as recommended by the RBR Task Force. FMR is a member of the Above the Falls Citizen Advisory Committee (AFCAC), a group that strongly advocated for the City to initiate this study and proposed organization. Citizens throughout Minneapolis, but especially in the north and northeast neighborhoods, want to extend the citys amazing riverfront success upstream and reclaim the Mississippi River north of downtown for parks, trails, open space, restored habitat and community development, and the proposed new organization could really help accelerate those opportunities for Above the Falls.

FMR has high hopes that this new organization will help streamline river projects that are complicated or protracted because they involve multiple jurisdictions. Both the City and the independent Minneapolis Park Board would be well-served by a partner that can better align the efforts and priorities of these two entities, and help bring resources, communication tools and design guidance to riverfront goals and opportunities.

Although we agree that primary redevelopment emphasis should occur above the falls, we are pleased that the entire river in Minneapolis would be included in this organizational model. With so many different jurisdictions and neighborhoods, and three distinct reaches of river character, having one entity that can be the keeper of the overall river vision is an essential tool to ensuring river projects benefit and enhance the rivers natural and cultural assets. The gorge provides an ecological haven and the central riverfront has significant historic resources, and vigilant protection is needed for both. FMR wants to see an organization that will raise the profile of the Citys overall vision for the river and ensure it is an intentional part of each new riverfront effort.

Where we are in the process

The Minnesota State Legislature will need to take action in order to create the public/private non-profit organization as proposed. The City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board have taken formal action to put this initiative on their 2008 legislative agenda.

If the new organization goes forward as proposed legislation, there will potentially be hearings on the bill at the Capitol in February or March.

Watch this web page for meeting dates.

What you can do

When the new organization goes forward as proposed legislation, there will potentially be hearings at the Capitol in February or March.

Watch this web page for updates on the proposal and pertinent hearing dates.

Links

Minneapolis City Council members

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board of Commissioners

Upcoming Events

Saturday, April 20, 2024 - 9:30am to 12:00pm
West River Parkway and 36th Street/44th Street, Minneapolis
Applications due Friday, May 3 by 5 p.m.
Virtual and in-person
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Hampton Woods Wildlife Management Area