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 missing from the Upper Harbor Terminal environmental review

We're anticipating several key Minneapolis city council votes on the Upper Harbor Terminal development project this fall. Next up is the project's environmental review. Here's what we think is missing from this report and how this important, mile-long riverfront redevelopment in North Minneapolis could be better.  >>

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Star Tribune: 'Habitat or housing?' ... We say both

Ramsey County is grappling with a big question: Is responding to both our climate crisis and affordable housing crisis a zero-sum game? How can we create the housing the Twin Cities needs, while also preserving the homes of other species whose populations are collapsing?  >>

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Star Tribune spotlights need for action against invasive carp

Invasive carp present a growing threat to Minnesota waterways. A recent forum considered several strategies to stop their spread. We'll need to use all of them to protect the Mississippi River.  >>

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Climate change, climate justice and FMR's Land Use & Planning program

Climate change impacts make park access and greenspace even more important for public health and equity, and guidelines for riverfront development need to respond to the shifting climate in order to protect our river. Here's how our Land Use & Planning program's work intersects with climate change and climate justice.  >>

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Annual park rankings highlight racial and economic disparities

St. Paul and Minneapolis are known to have some of the country's best urban park systems. But how well do they deliver equitable park access to all residents?  >>

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What a minor flood season could mean for Ford Area C

Area C, Ford Motor Company's hazardous waste dump on the Mississippi River floodplain in St. Paul, hasn't been in the news lately. The site is being better monitored than in the past, but we're waiting for flood data to give us a fuller picture about what risks the pile may pose.  >>

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Invasive carp continue to pose threat

A recent invasive carp round-up on the Mississippi in southern Minnesota is a reminder that these fish pose an ongoing threat to Minnesota's waterways.  >>

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Ramsey County considers three properties for redevelopment, conservation

The county is making plans for three properties on the east side of St. Paul: The site of a former juvenile correctional facility on undeveloped bluffland holding Dakota history; a golf course that's home to an endangered bumblebee; and a grassland where prairie birds flock. We've encouraged officials to inventory ecological resources and work with those studying the cultural resources before proceeding with planning.  >>

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New river access in Cottage Grove?

The former Mississippi Dunes golf course in Cottage Grove has amazing potential to be a new park, but its owners want to develop it into housing. You can weigh in to protect habitat and public river access at this special site.  >>

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Why the Corps of Engineers must remain at St. Anthony Falls

Dr. John Anfinson is an FMR board member, a Mississippi River historian and the former superintendent of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. He recently wrote this article for the Northeaster newspaper.  >>

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Upcoming Events

Saturday, April 20, 2024 - 9:30am to 12:00pm
West River Parkway and 36th Street/44th Street, Minneapolis
Applications due Friday, May 3 by 5 p.m.
Virtual and in-person
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Hampton Woods Wildlife Management Area