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

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. >>

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, 2020 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. >>

Thank you, River Guardians!

by Sophie Downey

December 11, 2019

Thank you, River Guardians! We deeply appreciate you advocating for clean water and sustainable and equitable development along the river this past year. >

FMR weighs in on freeway expansion near river

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

December 6, 2019

A proposed redesign of Interstate 94 and Highway 252 through North Minneapolis, Brooklyn Center, and Brooklyn Park is raising questions for river lovers and environmental advocates. What's our stance? >>

Solar on the Area C dumpsite? Sounds great ... at first

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

December 6, 2019

The redevelopment plan for the Ford site on St. Paul's river bluff calls for renewable energy. That sounds great, but a small part of the plan includes building a solar array on top of the Area C hazardous waste dump on the river floodplain. With the dump undergoing further study about risks and remediation, could adding infrastructure further complicate potential cleanup? >>