Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership 2011 Priorities
Minneapolis Riverfront Plans and Partners
Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA)
Park plans
Information about and from our partners

Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership 2011 Priorities

Creating an Enduring Riverfront Legacy 2011
A Great River for a Great City

The Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership serves as a champion for a vibrant Mississippi riverfront, creating an enduring legacy now and for future generations. This great river and the land along it provide an exceptional opportunity to attract private investment, increase employment, and add to the quality of life in the region. Led by a private-public Board of Directors, the nonprofit Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership spotlights the Mississippi River and creates a space to work out river solutions that enhance our city.

The Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership will contribute to life in the city with three priorities:

Strengthen Mississippi River Connections: Neighbors to the River
Champion Riverfront Revitalization
Build Our Capacity to Create a World-class Riverfront

I. Strengthen Mississippi River Connections: Neighbors to the River

a. Community Engagement and Communications: Create and implement a community engagement and communications strategy to increase public awareness of existing Mississippi River access and advocate for improved access

Support a representative citizen group for each of the river districts, starting with the Central Riverfront Forum and Above the Falls Citizen Advisory Committee
Implement a strategic communications plan for Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership with concise objectives, targeting key audiences with specific messages

b. Above the Falls plan review and ordinance development: Engage community stakeholders locally and city-wide, in collaboration with the City of Minneapolis.

i. Initiate a Neighbors to the River program, convening a stakeholder advisory team for the Upper River and conducting engagement activities in the area

Convene issue forums on policy topics that influence the Upper River, including a potential series on the future of the Mississippi in Minneapolis

c. Upper River History and Identity: Identify historic preservation and interpretation opportunities in North and Northeast riverfront areas to inform Upper River plan review and leverage community development.

Collaborate with the City of Minneapolis to use the results of historic assessment studies to create value in North and Northeast riverfront areas, and to inform preservation and interpretation priorities.

d. Anthony Falls / Central Riverfront Gateways and Connections:

i. East Bank and Connections to the University: Complete an actionable plan to create a gateway to the Mississippi River and the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Zone at the East Bank falls area

Research and Coordination: Provide project coordination and management support for existing and potential East Bank historic assessment, mapping and interpretive planning projects
Engagement: Conduct a community engagement strategy to establish long-term relationships with stakeholders for stewardship, programming, and fundraising
Design Planning: Work with agency partners to complete a conceptual design plan and implementation strategy for the area, listing potential funding needs and types

ii. West Bank Gateway and Connections to Downtown: Facilitate a team working with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to create a more vital, world-class gateway between downtown and the Mississippi River at the West Bank – Columbia Mill area

II. Champion Riverfront Revitalization

a. Foster coordination

i. Convene Riverfront Technical Advisory Committee

ii. Advocate for funding requests from agencies for specific riverfront projects, such as the Alternative Transportation Proposal to increase access to the Mississippi River

iii. Engage policy makers in prioritizing riverfront projects

b. Accelerate implementation of the Above the Falls Master Plan for the Upper River:

Shape a coordinated implementation strategy for the Upper River with key parties
Prioritize potential gateway and connections sites with the City of Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and community stakeholders
Contribute to selected priorities that meet four mission values: healthy ecosystem, exceptional parks and trails; world-class history and culture, and vital livable communities.

c. Collaborate on the 2010 – 11 Riverfront Design Competition, serving on the Design Advisory Group and contributing to strong designs that can be implemented

d. Identify benchmarks for riverfront revitalization, and develop an annual report card on riverfront revitalization with recognition of “river heroes” or champions

III. Build Our Capacity to Create a World-class Riverfront

a. Raise funds to achieve objectives

Shape compelling case statement and strong development plan
Engage directors in individual giving campaign, including individual contacts
Support donor cultivation and fundraising gatherings, including River Tour

b. Increase staff capacity with administrative support, contract or pro bono

c. Develop board capacity to influence policy and funding decisions; provide leadership

Complete board assessment and governance training
Create private advisory council
Manage board and support governance, including improved internet tools

Minneapolis Riverfront Plans and Partners

District Plans and Information

Central Riverfront Planning
Planning for the revitalization of the central portion of the riverfront near downtown has taken place over the past thirty years and continues today— paying respect to both the Mississippi River as a natural resource and the historic district as a cultural resource.
Above the Falls: A Master Plan for the Upper River in Minneapolis (ATF Plan)
Adopted in 2001 by both the Minneapolis City Council and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, this Master Plan for the Upper River in Minneapolis has four parts: a Land Use Plan, a Parks and Urban Design Plan, an Environmental Restoration Plan, and an Implementation Plan. The Above the Falls Plan suggests a land use vision for the area and includes Related Policy Issues, Planning Objectives, Constraints and Opportunities, and Recommendations.
Historic Mills District Master Plan and Update
The 1998 Historic Mills Master Plan was intended to attract new businesses and increased residential density to the District. The 2001 Update discusses the Guthrie Development Alternative, the Mills District Design Guidelines, and a summary of the Traffic and Parking Technical Report.
St. Anthony Falls Historic District
St. Anthony Falls Historic District is both locally and nationally designated. The website provides a map, design guidelines, and a historic profile.
2009 St. Anthony Falls Heritage Zone Interpretive Plan
The Plan outlines the existing attractions of the riverfront and calls for new amenities to enhance the area and draw visitors. Audience research, consultation with stakeholders, and landscape architecture expertise informed this plan.

Small Area and Neighborhood Plans

Marcy Holmes Neighborhood Master Plan
The goals of the Marcy Holmes Neighborhood Master Plan focus on land use, housing, livability, economic development, public realm, social and cultural context, transportation and parking, character and design, and preservation.
Marcy-Holmes Master Plan Supplement
North Loop Small Area Plan
The Plan summarizes research conducted, offers recommendations, and describes an implementation plan to help address the opportunities and challenges of the neighborhood.
West Broadway Alive
Approved in 2008, the revitalization plan—for what was once considered the most significant commercial and cultural destination in north Minneapolis—offers Design Guidelines and an Action Agenda for future development and public realm improvements to re-establish West Broadway as a community asset.
Lowry Avenue Strategic Plan
The Lowry Avenue Strategic Plan builds on the general vision created in the 2002 Lowry Avenue Corridor Plan which includes recommendations related to streetscape improvements, transit facilities, commercial nodes, green space connections, and phasing. The Strategic Plan offers updates and more detailed development strategies for the corridor.
Cedar-Riverside Small Area Plan
Grain Belt Development Objectives
The Above the Falls Plan refers to the Grain Belt Brewery Area as “one of the great architectural and cultural resources of the Upper River and the most significant landmark in Northeast Minneapolis.” Approved by City Council in August of 2000, the Development Objectives emphasize the historic importance of the site with hopes of expanding a complimentary mixed-use concept in and around the neighborhood.
Upper Harbor Terminal (UHT)
The UHT Special Study Caucus discusses the history, economic advantages, and environmental benefits of commercial navigation in Minneapolis, the original use of the Upper Harbor Terminal site until 2010. The UHT Redevelopment Study discusses the viability for land use transformation for the site including several alternatives, the importance of collaboration between the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and the significant up-front investment in core infrastructure and amenities needed for the potential redevelopment project.
See Upper Harbor Terminal Special Study Caucus – April 2003
See Upper Harbor Terminal Redevelopment Study – October 2004

Other Plans and Initiatives

The Minneapolis Plan for Sustainable Growth (Minneapolis Comprehensive Plan)
An update to the 2000 Comprehensive Plan, the Minneapolis Plan for Sustainable Growth was created to address economic and development changes and propose solutions, comply with State law, meet regional planning requirements.
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Comprehensive Plan
Mississippi Watershed Management Organization Watershed Management Plan
Critical Area Plan
The Mississippi River Critical Area Program coordinates planning and management efforts for the designated Mississippi River Critical Area Corridor. A local plan was prepared and adopted to create balance between protection and utilization of river related resources.
The Department of Natural Resources is now conducting rulemaking that would supersede existing critical area plans.
Industrial Land Use Study and Employment Policy Plan
The purpose of this analysis is to inform current and future policymaking and land use planning related to industrial land use and industrial employment in Minneapolis.
Downtown Minneapolis Park Space Initiative
The report provides an inventory of open spaces downtown Minneapolis along with related existing conditions for comparison, examines four successful downtown parks in other U.S. cities, and discusses the financial component of creating and maintaining a high-profile downtown park.
Bike Master Plan
The Minneapolis Bicycle Master Plan offers history, policies, objectives, existing conditions, a needs analysis, a description of proposed projects, and research on funding/ implementation that will assist in improving the safety and mobility for bicyclists as well as increase the number of riders.
Pedestrian Master Plan
As one of six components that make up the City’s transportation action plan, the Pedestrian Master Plan aims to make Minneapolis a great walking city where “…people choose to walk for transportation, recreation, and health.”

Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA)

Comprehensive Management Plan
The Comprehensive Management Plan was established and issued in 1995. It serves as the general management plan for the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. The plan provides guidance for managing this area for 10-15 years.
Strategic Plan
Mississippi National River and Recreation Area staff worked with the Mississippi River Fund and Cincinnatus, Inc, a consulting firm, to develop a strategic plan that clarifies the goals, visions, and values of the park.
MNRRA Alternative Transportation Plan (ATP)
The Plan’s objective is “to get people to, on, and along” the Mississippi River’s 72 mile long corridor without creating additional congestion and while protecting the resource.