Parkland or development? Help preserve the vision for the end of the Stone Arch Bridge
Minneapolis is often lauded as having one of the nation’s best park systems, and it’s in large part to a Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board commitment that dates back to the 1880s: All land between the waterfront and the Grand Rounds parkway trails should be public.
The park board has taken this commitment seriously. It has worked hard in recent years to expand public riverfront parkways throughout the city, particularly in historically neglected neighborhoods.
Which makes it quite a surprise that the MPRB might abandon its stated goal at a key spot in the heart of Minneapolis, and support the construction of a privately owned apartment building at a site long slated for parkland.
40-year vision for parkland at risk
One of the first things someone sees when they step off the Stone Arch Bridge into the St. Anthony Main area is 600 Main St. SE. It’s a privately owned parking lot on a triangular piece of property at the eastern end of the bridge, tucked between the parkway (which in this location is Main Street) and riverfront, with Father Hennepin Bluffs just to the northwest.
Since the 1980s, the city and park board have repeatedly stated their intention to purchase 600 Main St. SE and add it to the park system.
Unfortunately, the park board and the property’s current owner, Steve Minn of Lupe Development, haven’t been able to agree on a purchase price.
Minn is now asking the city to rezone this parcel for development rather than parkland. The change would allow him to build a five-story apartment building on the site.
If constructed, it would be the only private development situated between the parkway and the riverfront for miles both upstream or downstream (the nearby historic hydropower utilities excepted).
Minneapolis needs more and denser housing. But it doesn’t need to build on a site long planned for parkland in such a prime location.
600 Main St. SE should serve as a welcoming gateway that connects neighbors and visitors to the river in line with the park board’s longstanding vision.
Tell the park board: Protect parkland
So far, the park board’s elected commissioners have not publicly weighed in on the property owner’s rezoning request. We’d like the commissioners to make an official decision to stick with its parkland plans by asking the city to decline the developer’s request.
Minneapolis residents, help us protect this potential future parkland by sending a message to your Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board commissioners.
Click your district from the list below and fill out the form. (Not sure which park district you're in? Check here.) It will submit a message to your district commissioner and all three at-large commissioners at once. We've put a pre-populated message in there to get you started, but feel free to change it to your liking.