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

Time is running out to stop invasive carp

This spring a silver carp was recorded swimming 35 miles up Minnesota's Mississippi River in a single day. Across the state our news outlets helped highlight what's at risk for our waterways and why we need the DNR to act with more urgency.  >>

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Can St. Paul's River Learning Center project get back on track?

We've long supported the goal of creating a River Learning Center in St. Paul's Crosby Farm Regional Park. Recent design concepts for the center, however, seemed to disregard community input and riverfront development regulations. Here's how we've responded and what we hope to see happen next.  >>

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Join us for lock and dam focus group tours
Learn more about the big study that will consider the future of two locks and dams in the heart of the Twin Cities. Read more
A photo showing the river almost emptied to the river bottom as part of a draw down by the Army Corps.
St. Paul riverfront roundup: Five projects to watch

St. Paul has a lot of projects in the works along its 26 miles of Mississippi River shoreline. Check out the plans for new visitor and cultural centers, recreational improvements and more that will celebrate and improve St. Paul's connection to the river.  >>

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Our updated Land Use & Planning program name

We've updated the name of our former River Corridor program to Land Use & Planning to better describe what we do.  >>

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An update on the future of St. Anthony Falls

There's a lot happening around St. Anthony Falls. Here's the latest on the Army Corps' disposition study, upcoming events about the future of the lock area, and that mysterious underwater wall.  >>

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Rare Maplewood grasslands one step closer to protection

As covered in several news outlets, Ramsey County is stepping back from its plans to develop a rare grassland bird haven. We're celebrating this win and advocating for the next logical step: permanent habitat protection. Ramsey County residents — please send a note to the county to express support for this special refuge.  >>

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What's going on with Twin Cities locks and dams?
Learn why we support keeping one lock, but look forward to exploring the potential removal of two local locks and dams, and sign up to receive updates. Read more
Dam photo
What can cities do to guide development and protect open space?

When we work with community members involved in local development and habitat protection issues, we often hear similar questions: "What can my city leaders do about this issue?" "Does anyone have the power to change this project?" Here's a summary of how cities can shape development and protect open space.  >>

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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