Land Use & Planning

As more cities move to embrace the river and capitalize on its exceptional value, FMR works within metro river communities to advocate for public access, equity, environmental sustainability, and community enjoyment of the river. 

Here are the park plans and developments that our river corridor team has its eye on. Learn more about the program, how we evaluate development plans and all the places we work.

Development and land use updates are also shared on social (Facebook and Twitter) and in FMR's Mississippi Messages newsletter.

Join us! Sign up to be a River Guardian to receive email action alerts when we need your help the most, plus invitations to educational happy hours and other events.

POSTS

FMR helps secure new public land in St. Paul

When development plans for a unique site on the St. Paul riverfront jeopardized public access, FMR advocated for a better plan. The Waterford Bay project at Island Station now includes new public shoreline and trails. >>

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Follow Upper Harbor Terminal on Twitter

If you're interested in following this important mile-long redevelopment of the North Minneapolis riverfront more closely, you're in luck! FMR has a special Twitter account just to share updates about the project. >>

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Word about riverfront dumpsite, Area C, starting to spread

From local news articles to word of mouth, Ford Motor Company's toxic waste dump on the St. Paul river floodplain, known as Area C, is gaining more attention. As community awareness grows, so does pressure on Ford and state agencies to study the dumpsite more closely to consider cleanup options. >>

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Why Upper Harbor Terminal matters

FMR continues to work with neighbors, community partners, and Minneapolis leaders around the redevelopment of Upper Harbor Terminal (UHT), and we continue to raise concerns with the city's concept plan. This is a natural outgrowth of our history in the area and our vision for a river for all. But we're often asked why we're so committed to and involved in the future of this particular site. Here's why UHT matters and what you can do.  >>

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St. Paul solicits new development for RiverCentre Ramp site

The city of St. Paul is struggling to repair or replace its crumbling riverfront parking ramp. The city's new approach seeks a private development partner to add buildings alongside or on top of the ramp. >>

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Why Minnehaha Academy's new building blends in with the Mississippi Gorge

It's not often that a heated community debate about development along the Mississippi River Gorge leads to a building that fits well into this picturesque landscape, but the new addition to Minnehaha Academy does just that. It fits in so well that it's actually hard to see the new building from the parkway! This success story shows how river development can blend in with its surroundings, why it should, and why your voice is crucial in the process.  >>

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Northern Metals shuts down ... finally

It may have taken years, but Northern Metals has finally shut down its polluting riverfront metal shredder. Even so, North and Northeast Minneapolis residents aren't seeing any reparations for the continued environmental and health damage. >>

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Spring Lake regional park master plan open house Oct. 14

What's next for this special place on our great river? You can help decide. >>

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Good news, bad news in the fight to stop invasive carp (2019)

A new deterrent system installed 50 miles north of our border with Iowa is a promising effort to stop invasive carp in Minnesota. But a dozen invasive carp were found in the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers this year, further evidence that these destructive fish are growing in numbers in our state. Can we stop them before it's too late?  >>

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'Once key to industry and transportation, Mississippi River poised for makeover in Minneapolis'

The riverfront north of St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis is changing rapidly. In this Star Tribune feature, Janet Moore quickly covers this transformation through a transportation lens. It’s an excellent overview, and curious readers can learn more about this story here.  >>

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