Task force recommends new Minneapolis riverfront organization
The City of Minneapolis recently wrapped up the third task of the Riverfront Organization Study, which is being conducted to determine whether a new organization should be created to coordinate development along the river in Minneapolis.
Tasks one and two involved gathering information about different organizational models and meeting with stakeholders and community leaders. Task three included 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 30-member RBR included representatives of several governmental and institutional bodies, community organizations, businesses, nonprofits, foundations and civic leaders.
FMRs outreach director Irene Jones participated as a citizen representing the lower gorge neighborhoods, and had this to say about the experience. The RBR was a very impressive group of civic leaders, and they really seem to understand some of the obstacles to moving forward with riverfront revitalization in Minneapolis, she said.
Members of the Above the Falls Citizen Advisory Committee who participated were also pleased with the thoughtful approach and outcomes of the RBR task force process. Citizens in north and northeast Minneapolis have been waiting for years to see the river revitalized with parks, trails and new development, and the RBR recommendations would bring the community one step closer to achieving this.
The RBR met for five months and settled upon a model that is described in a report on the citys website. The suggested new entity would have four primary 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.
The next step will be to seek input about the recommendation from the many stakeholders who would be impacted. This input will be used to test, refine and detail the organizational proposal. Assuming it achieves broad support, the final phase of the process will be to pursue implementation.