Land Use & Planning

'Do you think nature has surrendered to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers? I don't think so.'

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

update

August 15, 2021

A little-known underground wall holds St. Anthony Falls back from a catastrophic collapse that would endanger the Twin Cities' water supply, bridges, and other infrastructure. So why isn't anyone monitoring the wall's condition? FMR board member John Anfinson explained the puzzle in an excellent Star Tribune article. >>

What's missing from the Upper Harbor Terminal environmental review

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

update

July 28, 2021

We're anticipating several key Minneapolis city council votes on the Upper Harbor Terminal development project this fall. Next up is the project's environmental review. Here's what we think is missing from this report and how this important, mile-long riverfront redevelopment in North Minneapolis could be better. >>

Star Tribune: 'Habitat or housing?' ... We say both

update

July 19, 2021

Ramsey County is grappling with a big question: Is responding to both our climate crisis and affordable housing crisis a zero-sum game? How can we create the housing the Twin Cities needs, while also preserving the homes of other species whose populations are collapsing? >>

Star Tribune spotlights need for action against invasive carp

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

update

July 12, 2021

Invasive carp present a growing threat to Minnesota waterways. A recent forum considered several strategies to stop their spread. We'll need to use all of them to protect the Mississippi River. >>

Climate change, climate justice and FMR's Land Use & Planning program

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

update

July 11, 2021

Climate change impacts make park access and greenspace even more important for public health and equity, and guidelines for riverfront development need to respond to the shifting climate in order to protect our river. Here's how our Land Use & Planning program's work intersects with climate change and climate justice. >>

Annual park rankings highlight racial and economic disparities

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

update

June 7, 2021

St. Paul and Minneapolis are known to have some of the country's best urban park systems. But how well do they deliver equitable park access to all residents? >>

Flood data needed at Ford Area C

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

update

May 27, 2021

Area C, Ford Motor Company's hazardous waste dump on the Mississippi River floodplain in St. Paul, hasn't been in the news lately. The site is being better monitored than in the past, but we're waiting for flood data to give us a fuller picture about what risks the pile may pose. >>