planning

Press release: New MN rules to protect metro Mississippi River corridor, our local national park!

December 27, 2016

by Alicia Uzarek

December 12, 2016

A number of Mississippi Messages readers have contacted us since the leaves fell from the trees about a new building on the river located just north of Minneapolis' Lake Street bridge. We investigated and have some answers, as well as several related questions and concerns.

by Alicia Uzarek

November 7, 2016

Calling all river and park lovers: Help shape the future of this 48-acre riverfront site in Minneapolis!

A schematic of the UHT site provided by in the development team proposal

South St. Paul stands strong to preserve open space

by Alicia Uzarek

October 27, 2016

FMR would like to thank the South St. Paul City Council and celebrate their recent decision to preserve a city-owned 5-acre site as open space. The site is located near the Mississippi River and adjacent to the Mississippi River Trail scheduled to be constructed in 2017. The council rejected a push to change the largely tree-covered site into a paved industrial railroad storage area.

This is a big win that maintains the city’s commitment to a more public and green riverfront for future generations!

South St. Paul seeks to replace trees with industry along Mississippi River Trail

by Alicia Uzarek

September 12, 2016

As you grab your bike and enjoy the Mississippi River Trail in the coming years, what would you prefer: views of the river through a grove of trees or a long tall fence and a railroad storage yard? The South St. Paul planning commission faced that very question in early September and voted five to one to preserve the trees. But now the question is moving to the South St. Paul City Council.

by Irene Jones

September 12, 2016

During the final phase of developing updated rules for the Mississippi River Critical Area, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recommended a number of positive changes in response to comments from FMR staff and advocates.

Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area

Brown-Bag Lunch: Reconnecting North Mpls to the Mighty Mississippi

June 30, 2016

As more North Minneapolis riverfront is slated to become parkland, it's important to ensure that new parks and trails are truly accessible to Northside residents. To do this, connections between the community and the riverfront parkland (such as the Broadway bridge over I-94, pictured above) must be improved.

FMR has been working with a researcher from CURA to study Northsiders’ barriers to river access as well as possible ways to overcome them. Join us for a brown-bag lunch featuring a presentation of our findings and discussion about the barriers and opportunities to reconnect North Minneapolis neighborhoods and the Mississippi River.