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 would an undammed metro Mississippi River look like?
How would the removal of Lower St. Anthony Falls and Lock & Dam No. 1 change the river? Compare renderings of the metro Mississippi after dam removal with present-day photos. Read more
Lower St. Anthony Falls and downtown Minneapolis skyline, illustrated with more riverbank
What MN election results mean for FMR’s 2023 legislative priorities
The 2022 elections are (mostly) behind us, meaning we have a clearer picture of how FMR's legislative priorities may fare. Read more
A person seen only from the waist down walks past a sign that says "Vote Here."
River Learning Center: Latest design is better, but we still have questions
FMR had raised the alarm about initial design concepts that were grossly oversized for this unique riverfront site. Project planners listened to feedback and made significant changes, but questions linger. Read more
An overhead view of boats in the harbor at Watergate Marina.
It's time: Comment on the lock & dam disposition study
Use this form to comment on the Army Corps' disposition study of two Twin Cities locks and dams. Read more
Image of Lock and Dam No. 1
What you need to know about the Army Corps' studies of Twin Cities locks and dams
What will happen to metro locks and dams? Here's a rundown of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers disposition study process and timeline, the scenarios under consideration, plus ways you can shape the river's future. Read more
The case for and against lock and dam removal
Removing two metro locks and dams would reconnect 39 miles of river through the Mississippi's only gorge, which is in the heart of the Twin Cities. But is dam removal the best scenario for our metro river? Here's what we need to consider. Read more
Drawdown
Take our advocacy survey
Take our 5-minute survey to help shape FMR's advocacy engagement in the coming year and let us know how you want to plug in. Read more
Meet our Twin Cities locks and dams
See a map of our three Twin Cities locks and dams, a timeline of when and why they were built, and find out why we may not need them anymore. Read more
All three Twin Cities locks and dams
What we heard on this summer's lock and dam tours
This summer, FMR and our partners talked with over 600 community members about the future of our Twin Cities locks and dams. We led more than than 20 focus-group tours that brought many people to the river in new ways. Here's what we heard. Read more
FMR, partners issue Minneapolis 2040 support statement

In response to the lawsuit challenging the Minneapolis 2040 plan on the basis of potential environmental harm, FMR coordinated a sign-on statement from several leading environmental and planning organizations. The statement reaffirms our support for the 2040 plan's goals and environmental benefits.  >>

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Upcoming Events

Tuesday, July 30, 2024 - 5:30pm to 8:00pm
Rotary Pavilion at Levee Park, Hastings
Saturday, August 3, 2024 - 9:00am to 2:00pm
Mississippi River Gorge, Minneapolis
New date: Saturday, August 10, 2024 at 5 p.m.
Hidden Falls Regional Park, St. Paul