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

What's it like to walk to the river in North Minneapolis?

What's it like to walk to the river in Minneapolis? "Inspiring," "harsh" and "beautiful" were all words that neighbors used as we laced up our walking shoes and headed to the river on a warm fall evening. Check out the photos and step-by-step videos to experience what it's like to walk from the North Minneapolis residential area over Dowling and the interstate to Upper Harbor Terminal and the river! >>

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Action Alert: Oppose the redevelopment plan for the Upper Harbor Terminal [CLOSED]
Minneapolis residents, take action here. >> Read more
Ford Area C updates email list
Sign up to be an FMR River Guardian and to receive updates on the Ford Area C dumpsite along the Mississippi River in St. Paul. Read more
Shrubs and trees, green with summer growth, cover a small walking area that is the Ford Area C dumpsite. High above, the smokestack from the old Ford plant peeks through a break in the canopy.
Can we just talk about this UHT concert stadium?

Minneapolis city leaders are proceeding as if the concert stadium at Upper Harbor Terminal is a done deal, but it's not. Rather than debating venue names, we need to discuss public subsidies, living-wage jobs, and how the community will benefit from this or any development at this important mile-long riverfront site. >>

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Residents say affordable housing critical at Upper Harbor Terminal

Community members are clear that truly affordable housing should be a key part of the Upper Harbor Terminal redevelopment. At one point an attendee asked, "How many of you are here because you or someone you care about is affected by the high cost of housing?" Nearly every hand in the room went up. We should expand the timeline to figure out this vital aspect of this riverfront redevelopment.  >>

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FMR voices concerns around Upper Harbor Terminal process

As we've watched recent Upper Harbor Terminal community engagement activities unfold, we've seen a rushed, confusing and inadequate process that's failing to center community vision. We've written a letter to the Minneapolis City Council and mayor outlining our concerns.  >>

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Reconnecting with the river: MPR and North News share North Minneapolis' river stories

Recently, two local media projects from MPR and North News highlighted North Minneapolis residents' relationships with water and our Big River. 

The MPR stories are a riveting listen, while the stunning North News issue is both a refreshing read and a graceful portrait of a community's multi-faceted relationship to the river. >>

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Bold riverfront development plan rises in St. Paul

In the past, development proposals for the former county jail site in downtown St. Paul have fallen through. It's a challenging area: a bluff, railroad tracks and Shepard Road separate the river's edge from the city. But AECOM's proposed Riversedge project thinks big about how to overcome these challenges — and might ultimately deliver.   >>

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Northern Metals granted extension to continue polluting

Following a settlement nearly two and a half years ago, Northern Metals Recycling agreed to stop its polluting operations on the North Minneapolis riverfront by August 1, 2019. That deadline has come and gone, yet Northern Metals is still operating. >>

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Landslides are on the rise in Minnesota

Wetter weather has increased landslides that slough slopes into our roads and rivers, sometimes with dangerous consequences for water and life. A mapping project aims to identify risk areas so we can safeguard our slopes.  >>

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Upcoming Events

Saturday, April 19, 2025 - 9:30am to 12:00pm
West River Parkway and 36th Street/44th Street, Minneapolis
Saturday, April 19, 2025 - 10:00am to 12:30pm
MWMO, Northeast Minneapolis riverfront
April 8 through April 22, 2025
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