Land Use & Planning

As more cities move to embrace the river and capitalize on its exceptional value, FMR works within metro river communities to advocate for public access, equity, environmental sustainability, and community enjoyment of the river.

Here are the park plans and developments that our river corridor team has its eye on. Learn more about the program, how we evaluate development plans and all the places we work.

Development and land use updates are also shared on social (Facebook and Twitter) and in FMR's Mississippi Messages newsletter.

Join us! Sign up to be a River Guardian to receive email action alerts when we need your help the most, plus invitations to educational happy hours and other events.

POSTS

Riverfront polluter Northern Metals violates laws... again

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

February 26, 2020

After polluting on the North Minneapolis riverfront for years, Northern Metals was given a second chance to build a new facility in Becker. However, before that facility was even fully open, a large pile of cars caught fire and burned for five days. We spoke to KSTP News about Northern Metals' history of violations and community harm. >>

KSTP TV: Ford site cleanup ‘top priority’ for neighbors [video]

February 24, 2020

Our river corridor director Colleen O'Connor Toberman gave KSTP reporters a tour of Ford Area C to explain why so many in the metro area are calling for thorough cleanup of the toxic riverfront dump site. >>

Area C community meeting draws crowds and questions

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

February 21, 2020

At a recent community meeting, 150 residents gathered to hear about the history and future of Area C, the Ford Motor Company's hazardous waste pile sitting on the floodplain in St. Paul. Out of the many questions raised, one in particular didn't have a clear answer: Will anyone make Ford clean up its mess on the Mississippi River? >>

Upper Harbor Terminal project draws media attention

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

February 4, 2020

Recent news articles in MinnPost and the Star Tribune highlight several concerns being raised about the city of Minneapolis' Upper Harbor Terminal project, including state funding controversy, a rushed planning process, and violations of open meeting law. FMR board member Paul Bauknight and staff member Colleen O'Connor Toberman are interviewed. >>

Ford Area C (video)

January 30, 2020

In this video, we take you to Ford Area C, Ford's toxic riverfront dumpsite in St. Paul. You’ll see the Mississippi lapping at the dumpsite’s edge. What pollution remains there? How much is leaching into our river? We still don’t know enough. >>

A brief history of the Ford Area C dumpsite

January 28, 2020

While many articles (and even a movie) look back at the life of Twin Cities Ford Assembly Plant, not many focus on Area C. In fact, most stories about the Ford plant don't even mention it. So we've put together a basic timeline about this floodplain dumpsite to lend some historical context. >>

FMR's river corridor work: Celebrate 2019, join us in 2020

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

January 10, 2020

All along our great river — from the Upper Harbor Terminal in Minneapolis to Lilydale's river bluffs and beyond — you helped FMR's river corridor program secure equitable river access and important environmental protections. Read about some of our 2019 accomplishments and sign up to join us in 2020. >>

Join us Feb. 20 at the Ford Area C dumpsite community meeting

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

January 9, 2020

Area C is Ford Motor Company's unpermitted floodplain dumpsite. Join us February 20 to learn more about this large riverfront site's past, present and future. >>

Star Tribune highlights Upper Harbor dissent

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

December 19, 2019

The Star Tribune recently highlighted community dissent regarding the 1-mile riverfront redevelopment of Upper Harbor Terminal: a once-in-a-lifetime project that could dramatically impact North Minneapolis residents. >>

Will we see more bird-friendly glass in the future?

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

December 13, 2019

Bird-safe building design is important in urban areas along major flyways like the Twin Cities. From bird deaths at the local U.S. Bank Stadium to new bird-safe guidelines in New York City, here's a summary of the latest news. >>