Land Use & Planning

St. Paul reveals exciting plans for river balcony park

by Alicia Uzarek

October 12, 2015

Saint Paul River Balcony rendering from the Great River Passage Plan

Three cheers for the Minneapolis Park Board

by Irene Jones

July 20, 2015

The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board has stayed strong in the face of difficult negotiations with Graco Corporation. In the end MPRB had to take the land along the river for a trail easement by eminent domain. Graco tried and failed to get something in return that would allow them to develop a portion of the adjacent property slated to become Hall’s Island Park. Instead, MPRB paid more than $600,000 for land Graco had promised to donate over a decade ago.

Riverview Corridor Transit Study underway. Your input wanted!

by Alicia Uzarek

July 20, 2015

Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority is conducting a study of possible ways to improve public transit options within the Riverview Corridor — located between Union Depot in downtown Saint Paul and the Mall of America. While the project has the promise of greatly improving public access to the river, FMR is also concerned about the possibility of a new bridge across the Mississippi in the scenic gorge. The study, which will be completed in early 2016, will recommend a preferred route and transit mode to be studied further. Provide your input today!

Oversized development downsized at Mississippi and Minnesota River confluence

by Alicia Uzarek

June 12, 2015

Last month, FMR appealed the Saint Paul Planning Commission decision to grant a height variance in the confluence area because we believed it would greatly impact this significant portion of the river corridor. We are pleased that the Saint Paul City Council decreased the building height variance to allow a 60 foot building instead of a 73.5 foot building — a 13.5 foot decrease.

FMR appeals oversized building at Mississippi & Minnesota River confluence

by Alicia Uzarek

May 19, 2015

On April 24, 2015, the Saint Paul Planning Commission approved a height variance of 33.5 additional feet for Johnson Brothers’ proposed mixed-use building at 1465 Davern Street which lies within the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area and the National Park boundary. FMR appealed this decision on May 4, 2015 because this development will significantly impact the scenic and historic character of the river valley at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers.

Graco reneges on its promise to provide a riverfront trail easement

by Irene Jones

March 16, 2015

Graco, the Northeast Minneapolis company whose headquarters occupy the riverfront adjacent to the new Scherer Park, have disappointed many with their recent attempt to back out of an agreement to provide a public trail easement. Read more