Stone Arch Saga Continues

The site in question is visually at the northern end of the Stone Arch Bridge. The proposed development would put a 70-foot wall of apartments at the end of the bridge, where the cars are parked in this photo.

As promised, Steve Minn and John Wall filed a lawsuit against the City of Minneapolis for denying the Stone Arch II proposal. With no evidence but the conspiracy theory of a former city councilman, the suit alleges that City Councilmembers cut a back room deal to kill the project.

In truth, the City Council listened to the concerns of both sides, weighed the evidence, and came down on the side of supporting the river and the city's comprhensive plan. The Planning Commission and city planning staff recommended denial of the project, as did numerous organizations including FMR, the National Park Service, Sierra Club, three downtown neighborhood associations and others.

The Mississippi River is undeniably one of Minneapolis' greatest and most significant assets. Millions of public dollars have gone into the 30-year renaissance that converted the industrial central riverfront into a system of parks, trails, and historic treasures, bustling with local residents and visitors. It is an asset worthy of protection, and sticking to the city's zoning code was the right thing to do.

For more on the proposed development, visit our 600 Main overview page.