Design Concepts & Implementation Plan - Draft RiverFIRST Proposal
3 likes3,865 views
The RiverFirst proposal outlines a park design initiative aimed at revitalizing the Minneapolis upper riverfront by integrating ecological, social, and economic principles. Key design concepts include enhancing river access, promoting biodiversity, and implementing sustainable urban agriculture while addressing 21st-century climate challenges through innovative stormwater management solutions. The plan envisions a resilient urban landscape that fosters community health and economic opportunities, transforming the riverfront into a vibrant ecological and recreational hub.
Design Concepts & Implementation Plan - Draft RiverFIRST Proposal
- 1. Design Concepts & Implementation Plan RiverFIRST: A Park Design Proposal and Implementation Framework for the Minneapolis Upper Riverfront DRAFT
- 2. RiverFIRST Guiding Principles 21st Century Challenges The Minneapolis Riverfront Development Initiative provides a chance habitats. RiverFirst is guided by similar principles that embrace the notion Park, but also includes the depth of the river and all points in between. to consider how the Minneapolis park system can protect the national that cities evolve over time and must be allowed to accommodate changes in Understanding the nuanced difference in surface shape and features of ecological heritage of the Minneapolis Riverfront and the Mississippi River, environmental, social, and economic climates. this landscape creates opportunities for multiple-scaled combinations of foster community health, support economic opportunity and prepare submerged, emergent, riparian, and meadow upland. This sensibility has Minneapolis with resilient and sustainable eco-infrastructure for generations Design Principles the potential to guide an urbanistic strategy toward built form that results in to come. There are 21st Century challenges that are global in nature and RiverFirst is based on four design principles. The first, Go with the Flow, buildings that optimize orientation for natural light, energy harvesting, and local in impact. Mississippi River access may increase in value as energy costs reflects the dynamic characteristic of the river itself and becomes a model stormwater management. rise and warming climates reduce winter port closures. Greenhouse gas for other systems such as public access, mobility, and energy infrastructure. emissions need to be controlled. Storm water systems must be adapted to This principle is based less on the addition of the physical characteristics The third principle, Both/And, addresses the unlikely juxtaposition of the account for increasing uncertainty in local climate variability. Urban growth that are common to planning but rather on a subtractive approach that Mississippi River to its immediate surroundings, in particular the Northside must be accommodated. RiverFirst considers these challenges as the exposes the underlying nature of a place, sometimes literally unearthing industrial district which has suffered through neglect and a weak economy. AFT means to enable a blue & green way of life to flourish in Minneapolis and to existing conditions in an effort to recover its identity. The daylighting of Both/And provides the groundwork for a condition where two seemingly DR attract the brightest creative minds to live in Minneapolis. buried stormwater systems is an example where the act of excavation not conflicting circumstances can be allowed to co-exist, even be strengthened only points to the significance of a tributaries relationship to the river but by the others presence. The Mississippi is still a working place for industry, but current economic simultaneous remediates or cleans the stormwater before entering the river. Finally, Park Plus, reflects the contemporary role that cities must play to opportunity is hindered by the dislocated relationship between Minneapolis The effect provides measurable benefits including increased visibility of the address the challenges of the 21st Century. Parks today are expected to and its river. A planning strategy that prioritizes the Mississippi, that puts river and thus security, and reduced park maintenance. exceed our normal understanding of a park as a social gathering space rather it first, is intended to renew the river’s strength and diversity as a living ecosystem. In doing so, the physical, societal and economic health of the Where Go with the Flow reflects mobility and access, the second principle, it must play a role in reducing energy consumption through environmental city is placed first. RiverFirst is guided by the dynamics of the river. Water Design with Topography, is more physical in nature. The great range of stewardship, minimizing maintenance costs, and providing places that carves and erodes to form the river that supports and sustains diverse geographic diversity begins not only with the site’s highest point, Farview support health and safety. DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS SAINT PAUL CHAIN OF LAKES LAKE NOKOMIS REGIONAL MOBILITY SHIPPING LANES SHIPPING LANES Minneapolis Context Minneapolis Context Minneapolis Context Grand Rounds Existing Parks Key Text Key Text Riverfirst Connector Riverfirst Parkland Key Text Key Text Proposed Regional Trails Key Text Key Text Parks Regional Trails Key Text State, Federal Trails Extended regional trail system Mississippi River Nutritional run-off Mississippi global transportation links 8
- 3. Loops Moisture Gradients The north-south Trail System connects with east-west pedestrian walkways Landscape is created by the varying interactions of soil and water. Much of Phase 1 Loops (Knot Bridges) in a series of recreational River Loop circuits that link North the RiverFirst effort concerns putting seasonal stream and river water back in Phase 2 Connections and Northeast Neighborhoods. In so doing, sections of the river can be contact with riverbanks and uplands that have been cut off by piped outfalls, encircled and begin to create a series of interconnected “rooms” each with bulwarks and embankments. The more we can increase these soil / water a specific urban and natural character. This simple idea has great strength contacts in terms of length, area, and varying saturation conditions, the as a means of orientation and breaking down a river that is regional in scale greater the species diversity and ecosystem resilience can be created. These to something in neighborhood sized chunks. The trail system will have the varying levels of new moisture in the soil – from constant saturation to drier most flexibility and variety in terms of routes when options for crossing the fast-draining uplands will largely determine the ecosystem types we see in river are positioned within a five minute walk. One could imagine a series this river reach in the coming years. So not only the plants but the associated, of linked rubber bands stretched around each room along with the idea interrelated food web of amphibians, insects, birds, and mammals that that these flexible loops can also be expanded to take in the entire 5 ½ depend on them are fundamentally organized by moisture gradients in the miles of riverfront and northward beyond. In the same way, loops can and soil. Historically, along this stretch of the Mississippi we had the possibility should expand into both the Northside and Northeast neighborhoods so of highly varied ecosystems in close proximity due to the river’s varying they are flexibly joined to the river based system. The result is a flexible, encounters with shorelines, tributaries, and islands. Of course numerous web-like circulation structure that can organize movement over a significant alterations to the channel have reduced this condition. RiverFirst is working area of the city. Five minute pedestrian loops can then be joined onto large carefully with topography and day-lighted storm flows to dramatically expand intermodal systems like the Prairie Loop Shuttle that encircles the entire site the topographic, hydrologic, and consequently, small scale ecological using Railroad rights-of-ways. diversity throughout this reach. DRAFT 9
- 4. Guiding Principles Urban Ecology leucocephalus Lontra canadensis Haliaeetus Vulpes vulpes Spilogale putorius Pandion haliaetus Circus cyaneus Ondatra zibethicus Aegolius funereus Foodweb 97 Species of Greatest Conservation Need Micropterus Dendroica Aythya affinis cerulea Sorex palustris (SGCN) are known or predicted to occur Pseudacris Phenacomys Pipistrellus maculosus within the Riverfirst site. This food web Necturus Morone Megaceryle examines a small collection of those SGCN alcyon and illustrates the necessity for biodiversity in order to achieve conservation goals and create a renewed urban ecology. Plethobasus Orconectes Formicinae Cicindela Ophiogo Ceraclea Dendroc -mphys Erynnis Glycera -touns Pimoa Apis AFT Vernonia DR Morchella Phytoplankton Solidago Sagittaria Viburnum Aster Solidago Spartina Asclepias Liatris Regional Corridors Urban Ecology Corridor Green-Regional Natural Resource/ Source Habitat Urban Fabric River Habitat Areas Significant Ecological Areas/ Wetlands and Wet Areas (MMCD) Green Lines-Trails Blue-Water Bodies Purple Arrows-Flyway and Terrestrial Corridors 150 years ago, this reach of the Mississippi was a focus of diverse biological The physical result is tree-like in nature, with the Mississippi itself as the main activity ranging from bacteria in the soil to the dead plants they break down, trunk and tributary corridors as some of the key structural branches – such as to the insects, amphibians, snakes, birds, and mammals that consume each Shingle Creek to the north, Basset Creek and other to southwest connecting other in a complex food chain. This vast interrelated system relies upon a on to the Chain of Lakes and beyond, and a new proposed natural corridor healthy river and tributaries and generous riverine areas of moist and often to Columbia Park to the Northeast. Once a rich habitat with Sandy Lake at saturated soils to support it in place. The more mobile species also rely on its core, this current golf course has the potential for restoration as a lake the river and related corridors to facilitate movement as they seek shelter and and wetland complex. This crucial piece of ecological real estate can also food over a wider range. Urban interventions, especially in this reach, have function as a future Central Park of Minneapolis as its urban margins increase fragmented every aspect of the system creating a “missing link” not only in density over the next 20 years. I-94, like most urban highways is laced with in the Grand Rounds but in the Mississippi Flyway and terrestrial corridors. endless swaths of open soil which lay sterile and create another blockage in In everything it does, RiverFirst seeks to reverse this disconnection and the system of habitat and natural species cover. This could be transformed fragmentation through specific measures concerning renewing the natural into diverse urban forest by cultivating every available embankment and sliver hydrology within urban conditions, increasing areas native landscape types, of residual land with native trees. and cultivating natural attractors for species that may be in decline or have left the area entirely. 10
- 5. Mobility DRAFT 13 17 6 5 9 3 3.5 mi 9 3 9 Mobility Scales 3 10 32 City Source Users River Loop 3 22 1.8 mi 10 9 12 2 4 1.2 mi 5 888 15 1.3 mi 5 14 0.6 mi 5 16 6 7 3 19 LOOP 1.8 mi The RiverFirst proposal incorporates new and existing transportation The new Cedar lake Bike trail links the River with Target Field, improving initiatives to create a sustainable, multi-modal and interconnected suburban and regional public access to the river on the Hiawatha LRT, the public transportation system for commuting, recreation, and mobility in North Star and future Central, Southwest, and Bottineau LRT lines. Existing Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Flyway, a comprehensive new North-South train rail lines are retained to facilitate sustainable transportation logistics 16 55 7 16 pedestrian and bicycle Park Trail System, is linked with a East-West Knot for a new eco-business innovation district that can benefit in the future 9 3 Bridge pedestrian and bicycle paths supported by the exiting foundations of from renewable Minnesota wind energy and locally generated solar energy 6 18 City and County bridges. on Parklands. Residents form North and Northeast Neighborhoods will 7 be able to walk, bike or take a clean electric shuttle to work. Nice Ride Access to the Trail System is provided by existing Bus routes, the proposed stations and public kayak launching sites at the Urban Boat Builder’s facility clean electric bus Prairie Loop route and a series of new bridge crossings on 28th Avenue North and Scherer Park increase the public accessibility of MOBILITY 0 500’ 1000’ 2000’ 4000’ over I-94 that connect the North Neighbourhoods with the River. Pedestrian the RiverFirst multi-modal transportation initiative and create a world class Parkland Prairie Loop Hiawatha Light Rail Trail Connection Secondary Connection connection improvements to Dowling Street, 34th Avenue North (Perkins Hill recreational and bike commuting network. Tree Cover Trails Metro Transit Interstate Highway and City View School), Lowry and Broadway are proposed to compliment the Proposed Connection NorthStar Commuter Rail Nice Ride Station central RiverFirst connecting feature, an overpass that links Farview Park, the Recreation Loops Rail Proposed Nice Ride Station City’s historic high point, with the River. 11
- 6. Guiding Principles Green Networks RIVER TALK WiFi Network 17 13 6 5 9 3 13 10 5 3 15 5 Sea Turtle App Locavore Love Fresh National Geographic Green Market Finder iPhone App Bird App 14 5 7 3 The RiverFirst proposal leverages the development of Riverfront Neighbourhoods with significant new urban agriculture resources, including LOOP Parkland to improve the health of the River and the health of the City native edibles, that build upon existing community gardens, Farmer’s Markets and its Neighbourhoods. At the larger urban scale, RiverFirst creates and and sustainable organic and slow food establishments. interconnects a series of synergistic Green Networks that are comprised The Green Networks combine to build a large, diverse constituency of 16 7 of sustainable bike routes and pedestrian trails, existing Neighbourhood citizens who are informed about health, community based food, recreation based community gardens and local food initiatives, new civic clean energy and the benefits of a sustainable River. New initiatives are envisioned, such 9 3 resources and the WiFI River Talk network, providing public outreach and as the development of sustainable consumer products: 1% RiverFirst clean education on local conservation. Renewable energy in Parklands provides road salt and natural lawn fertilizer products to raise public awareness of how clean power for charging electric vehicles and on shore power (OSP) for everyday consumer practices can improve River ecology and community green industry, reducing future energy cost risks, noise and emissions. INFORMATION + ENERGY NETWORKS 0 500’ 1000’ 2000’ 4000’ health far beyond the Minneapolis Riverfront. AFT Existing Parkland Prarie Loop Terminal RiverTalk Usage RiverFirst Parklands create significant new opportunities for urban agriculture, Trail Connections Community Garden help provide for municipal food security and expand neighbourhood access DR Developed Parkland Trails WiFi Repeater CSA Drop Off Proposed Connection Prarie Loop Local Produce Market to healthy food and nutrition in ways that build communities and local Photovoltaic Energy Interstate Highway Riverfirst Urban Agriculture Building business enterprises. Together the RiverFirst Green Network systems link 12
- 7. Water Watershed – Impaired Waters Stormwater Flows 8 Hg – Rainfall River Outfall Mercury 17 12 PCB – Current: Pipe System Polychlorinated bipehyls 19 22 FC – Fecal Coliforum PFOS – 41 Perfluoroctane Proposed: Riverfirst Sulfinate T– Turbidity 31 96 29 NaCl – Sodium Chloride 84 The basis of RiverFirst lies in restoring the relationship of land to water, the RiverFirst proposes a system of bio-filtration opportunities including a new notion of B’dote in Native American cultures, where every joining of waters 20 acre wetland at the current barge port that can receive and clean large 53 has a sacred and also practical status in that these moments of hydrologic quantities of north side storm flows while also creating rich and diverse new connections maintain the heath of the overall tree-like system. As ”limbs” emergent ecosystem based on what had previously existed there. A stair- have become severed and polluted over the years the natural function of step series of biofiltratrion terraced gardens along Dowling also provides these tributaries has been lost. The watersheds which feed this reach of the an environment for cultivating native “crops” such as American lotus and 67 Mississippi now contribute a range of urban pollutants including mercury, Arrowhead which historically fed Native Americans and waterfowl. At the PCB’s, and most importantly salt from roadways. Reversing this trend requires Northeast side, existing parks provide a starting point for a series of new a system-wide solution within each watershed. But the zone along the river storm water ravines and seasonal creeks which gently slope from Marshall where piped outfalls occur is a fundamental place to start transforming the St. to the river, allowing both people and water new access to the shoreline. current hard infrastructure into a “soft” one where storm flows are brought These measures provide a powerful starting point within each watershed in to the surface wherever feasible to be naturally cleansed by riparian corridors terms of treating pollutants at their most concentrated, but also create a new and wetland features cultivated with bio-filtering species. visibility for a natural hydrology that will support new urban ecosystems. STORM WATER 0 500’ 1000’ 2000’ 4000’ Parkland Watershed Regions AFT Stormwater Outfall Hidden Stormwater Outfall DR Industrial Outfall Stormwater Drainage 13
- 8. Guiding Principles Emergent / Meadow DRAFT Urban Urban Meadow Upland Emergent Riparian 14
- 9. Riparian / Upland DRAFT Meadow Emergent Riparian Upland This iconic habitat zone starts at the edge of the twin cities and This zone of shallow water is often manipulated by the rivers This dynamic zone needs bank stability since anthropogenic Where the moisture regime changes a diverse canopy of timber stretches to the south and west of the state. These landscapes force and sedimentation; a multitude of rushes, sedges, and forces have increased the stress of wave action and decreased emerges, layered with a myriad of sub-canopy and ground-layer are dominated by grasses;a perfect habitat for small mammals grasses scatter refuge for the river’s wildlife inhabitants. A living natural flood plains. Defined by drastic topographical changes vegetation, providing a rich habitat for fringe species that “go and their predators. Typically the topography is flat with slight machine that absorbs flood waters, with the ability to filter from scrouring, this zone is a key link between land and river as it to” the river for food and reproduction needs. This zone provides depressions and gentle slopes. pollutants, these waters team with insects, reptiles, and fish. provides the opportunity to increase habitat and biodiversity. essential habitat buffering to urban adjacencies. 15
- 10. Overall Plan First Steps and Future Growth Introduction The planning strategy to develop the 5 ½ mile stretch of riverfront and adjacent urban 5–10 Year Vision upland along the Mississippi is to prioritize five strategic implementation sites that The 5 –10 year Vision includes the further growth of projects that have been implemented in over a 0 – 5 year timeframe together establish a framework for future visions outlined the 0 – 5 year plan and introduces new areas for development. For example, the Farview Park in two further phases, a 5 –10 year and 10 – 20 year plan. In the near term, a system of Extension strengthens its connection from Northside through the addition of a two-block north to south riverfront trails are complimented by east to west bridges that establish a land bridge that spans I-94 and extends the landscape of Farview Park down the hill toward network of circulation and access opportunities to the Mississippi River and its adjacent the river. 27th Ave North, lost over decades of industrial development, is restored as a walk- neighborhoods. Site specific demonstration sites create anchors at strategic locations street and lined by rain gardens that bring stormwater from Farview Park to the river. The along the river that establish the foundation for a vision for the Mississippi that will Farview Park Extension culminates in the redevelopment of the City-managed Trash Transfer support the region’s neighborhoods that are rich with cultural and ethnic diversity, artistic facility for use as a river-oriented enterprise and educational/interpretive experience such as production, and multi-scaled industrial business served by freeway, rail, and barge. a boat builder. This 12-block sector from Farview Park to the river becomes the core of a new Eco-Business District that serves as a model for others to follow. 0 – 5 Year Strategic Implementation Plan The first intervention is a 6 mile Riverfront Trail System from Plymouth Bridge to Camden To extend the recreational and community energy created at Scherer Park, a mix of Bridge and back down to Boom Island. This system of trails includes a series of floating recreational enterprise uses such as a café, pavilion and museum would be developed in Biohaven Islands that are dedicated wildlife sanctuaries intended to reintroduce and support the area around the Marina at Boom Island. At the Northside Wetlands Park the Upper riverfront habitats. The Riverfront Trail System is a continuous trail and bikeway proposal that Harbor Terminal port facility is replaced by park space, a renovated Cold Storage Building, will use existing public parkland as well as private property requiring access through either and structures for public amenities, solar arrays, and areas to store dredge spoils.This first the purchase of land or easement agreements. As a result of active industries along the large scale project north of Lowry will serve as a prototype for future developments. Northside, riverfront trails are proposed to be elevated allowing industries to operate while The 5 –10 Year Vision introduces a new area of development—the Northeast Riverfront the public enjoys park amenities and wildlife habitats. In the event that easements are not Park which proposes to utilize MPRB-owned parcels to create stormwater mitigation by possible an interim bikeway is proposed along 2nd Ave N thus providing a link between the regrading parkland at existing outfall locations. riverfront trails that terminate north of Broadway Bridge and North Mississippi Park. The second intervention is the 26th Ave N Greenway Extension and improvements to 28th 10 – 20 Year Vision Ave N which establishes an initial implementation for the plan’s long-term vision to extend The longer range 10 – 20 Year Vision is to create opportunities within the framework of Farview Park to the river through this area’s industrial district. the plan for added development that reinforces both the RiverFirst initiative and City of Minneapolis redevelopment goals. The plan attempts to preserve the city grid framework The third intervention, the Scherer Park District, develops the 11-acre Scherer Brothers and introduce new and innovative programs that are responsive to environmental property recently acquired by the MPRB for public park land along with development that stewardship and provides opportunities for a mix of creative industries, commercial includes a mix of uses to support an energized park. The plan for Scherer Park includes amenities, and residential growth. Clusters of development are encouraged at east-west restoration of Halls Island and the narrow river channel between Halls Island and the corridors such as Plymouth, Broadway, Lowry, Dowling, and 41st Street N at north-south Scherer site. The plan would create roughly an 7 acre park and 4 acres of development on intersections such as 2nd Avenue N and Marshall Avenue. the Scherer site. This third intervention also includes establishment of Sheridan Park and development of new residential housing adjacent to the Grainbelt Brewery . Finally, the Spirit Island site, located where the former Spirit Island once existed just below Saint Anthony Falls and obliterated during the construction of the lock and dam system, RAFT The fourth intervention is the Northside Wetlands Park, currently the site of the City of is included as a central piece of the RiverFirst project. Once a sacred ground for the native Minneapolis’ Upper Harbor Terminal. This project proposes to create a 25 acre wetland Dakota community, it is the intention of the RiverFirst proposal to establish a process that D on a portion of the 48-acre site currently used as a materials handling facility for coal, steel will lead to the celebration of Spirit Island as a gesture that marks a commitment to a much coil, and dredge spoils from the river. This 0 – 5 year plan proposes to consolidate the port deeper cross-cultural understanding so important to the life of our city. facility to the northern end of the site making space for the wetlands project. Ultimately, it is the vision of RiverFirst to transform the 3-mile stretch of Northside industrial Downtown Gateway Park, the fifth intervention, provides a destination downtown park land as a place where both ecologically-responsible business industries and mixed use adjacent to the Central Library as well as reestablishment of an open space link between developments can co-exist and that share a common interest in preserving the health of Gateway Park, Nicollet Mall and the Mississippi River. the Mississippi River providing a bridge to it from communities such as Northside that previously have had no access to its riverbanks. The RiverFirst plan provides riverfront park land with trails, bikeways, bridges, and walkable streets that support and help foster strategic development opportunities that take advantage of the areas proximity to a growing downtown Minneapolis, the diverse Northside and Northeast neighborhoods to the east and west, and unique parks to the north. 16
- 11. 0 – 5 Year Implementation Plan 5–10 Year Vision 10 – 20 Year Vision DRAFT 17
- 12. Priority Project 0 – 5 Years Riverfront Trail System: Plymouth to BNSF Trail Loop 1. Scherer Park 2. Boom Island marina 3. Restored Hall Island 4. Plymouth Knot bridge AFT 5. Sheridan Park and Development 6. Broadway Knot Bridge DR 7. Biohaven Island 8. BNSF Pedestrian Bridge and Third Rail Cafe 9. Riverside Commons Park Named after the Mississippi Flyway, one of the world’s most significant north- Access to the Trail System is from city streets, bike trails and bus lines as south bird migration routes, this proposed public Trail System will provide well as from the proposed Prairie Loop clean electric bus line. When the six miles of new, Riverfront recreational trails for pedestrians, bicyclists and Flyway Trail System crosses over land owned by existing industry, it bridges x-country skiers. The north-south Trail System connects with east-west over operational areas. Representatives of all industrial land owners were pedestrian walkways (Knot Bridges) in a series of recreational River Loop contacted by the Design Team to discuss and develop criteria for the Trail circuits that link North and Northeast Neighbourhoods. System. By creating a public presence along the riverfront, the Minneapolis Flyway trail system will jumpstart the RiverFirst Parklands and create the Site lighting, grouping cyclists and pedestrians with appropriate lane ways, connective ‘glue’ to link Downtown and Neighborhoods with the River and open view corridors, WiFi access through the proposed River Talk network with existing and new Parklands. The trail system can be implemented in a and convenient vehicular and pedestrian Trail access points will help to series of cost effective modular segments that can be constructed over time. ensure public safety as the riverfront develops. The Trail System can serve as a 21st century model for new operational efficiencies in bio-remediated storm water irrigation, modular construction, and low maintenance solar powered snow melting systems. Plymouth to Broadway is the first and most easily achievable loop in the system of loops moving northward with no special bridging required N-S BNSF bridge link requires a major acquisition of strategic rail bridge still in marginal use BNSF link would allow major bike traffic on 26th St. to connect to major routes on NE side Graco river frontage already in process of easement creation Park at Riverside condos creates screening of residents from industrial activity and new acoustic green living plant wall park in at “triangle” creates cleft for storm water collection 18
- 13. Riverfront Trail System: BNSF to Lowry Loop 1. BNSF Pedestrian Bridge and Third Rail Cafe 2. Edgewater Park 3. New Ravine Trail 4. Gluek Park 5. New Ravine Trail 6. Biohaven Island 7. Children’s Art Camp 8. Lowry Bridge 9. Flyway Bridge 10. 26th St. Bike Route The Minneapolis Flyway Trail System serves the City and Parks as a Preliminary Development Budget comprehensive riparian conservation spine. The Trail System provides a rich A preliminary budget of $62,088,122 has been estimated for the Riverfront range of landscape habitat to support endangered cornerstone species. Trail System that includes costs for the N 26th Avenue Greenway extension Naturally cleansed storm water is integrated along the Trail System in small and improvements to N 28th Avenue. Trail sites along the riverfront that are scale bridge crossing points that allow natural drainage as well as animals private property will require both easements and fee acquisition resulting in to move freely underneath to sustain species and habitat movement. The additional development costs that are not reflected in the total capital cost. Trail System provides an armature for the re-establishment of the historic This budget will be refined prior to Board action in December 2011. riverbank canopy, which in turn supports pollinator and food web species for Warbler, Fly Catchers, Bireos, Oriels and other migrating species, as well as supporting river cleaning mollusks and fish that sustain Heron, Osprey, and Eagles. The Conservation Strategy unifies the form, material expression and public experience of the Trail System. Constructed sustainably of reclaimed wood modules, with low maintenance recycled rubber walking surfaces, the Trail System allows bio-diversity to return to the river and flourish over time. East side – through trail shifts to Marshall with various “eyebrows” where bikes and pedestrians loop to the river’s edge. Ravines allow gently sloped flows of people and day-lighted storm to river’s edge Lowry crossing engages with and modifies construction in-progress West side has three of most challenging trail connections – under BNSF, DRAFT over 2 different active barge docks using Flyway bridges Easement and land acquisition at these locations among most strategic for long term success of Grand Rounds Interim fall-back location at Pacific St. Below-bridge space at west end of Lowry developed as park and possible commercial along with remodeled storm water detention 19
- 14. Priority Project 0 – 5 Years Riverfront Trail System: Wetlands Marshall Loop 1. Marshall Terrace Park AFT 12 2. New ravine trail DR 3. East side urban farm 4. Excel Plant 5. New wetlands park 6. Remodeled Cold Storage Bldg. 7. Remodeled Grain Elevator 8. Amphitheater Slope 9. Photo-voltaic Arrival Canopy w/ pavilions 10. Biofiltration wetland gardens 11. Park “Rooms” 11 12. Biohaven Island 10 9 8 7 4 Prefabricated wood-based structures allow for rapid istallation Thickened structure for torsional sti ness 6 Walking surface Form slopes outward for weather protection Handrail 3 Laminated engineered wood layers Thickened wood structure for bending sti ness Bridge pier support Engineering concept illustrating the use of laminated wood and method of prefabrication for the Flyway Bridge East Side—“eyebrow” system stops at Excel with no riverfront access allowable 5 Marshall “through-way” continues uninterrupted to St. Anthony Parkway. Easement parcels east of Marshall opposite Excel can be developed as urban farming to continue park sensibility around Excel West side riverfront trail enters its richest moment looping around new wetland park Thru-bikes kept to rear of Port property along rail corridor 1 Key connection and highway bridge at 34rth St. from North side neighborhood to new park Trail ascends to the top of the existing cold storage building on sloping landforms North of existing cold storage building “Ridge trail” follows the crest of new dredge fill landforms against the rail lines—“shoreline trail” follows water’s edge 2 20
- 15. Riverfront Trail System: Camden North Mississippi Loop 1. Canadian Pacific Bridge 2. Biohaven Island 3. North Mississippi Park 4. Shingle Creek 5. Existing Boat Launch 6. Rail Bridge Undercrossing Bicycle Path, Dupont Maryland 3 DRAFT Bicycle path, Copenhagen, Denmark 5 2 Completing vital connections to North Mississippi Park and to Shingle Creek Grand Rounds link Knot bridge or Camden bridge walkway essential to complete 6 the loop 1 Canadian Pacific bridge not available for any pedestrians or bikes but connecting under on west side is crucial connection and brings existing boat ramp into the rest of the park Connection to Shingle Creek can be made via highway undercrossing for the creek American River Bike Trail, Sacramento CA 21
- 16. Priority Project 0 – 5 Years Riverfront Trail System: Knot Bridges Separation of bridge deck above abut- Steel arch ments used to create a torsion tube Brace support frame ties cantilevered Support cables bridge back to bridge abutment Steel frame provides rigidity for cantilevered steel deck Horizontal force tied back to abutment Vertical force directly transferred Existing Bridge Structure Concrete extensions on existing abutments Engineering sketch illustrating Knot Bridge structural concept Reclaimed BN/SF Bridge looking east toward the Third Rail Cafe Marsupial Bike and Pedestrian Bridge Milwaukee The RIVERFIRST Trail System initiative is designed to create new synergies DRAFT and solid state lighting systems. Efficient pathway lighting is envisioned to between existing City and County Bridges and a set of proposed water enhance public safety and create a beautiful new bridge profile on existing remediation and ecological conservation assets. Knot Bridges are designed bridges without creating light spill. to be supported from the existing foundations of bridge structures, and The Knot Bridge system creates an unprecedented ease of access to move provide needed pedestrian linkages with the north-south river Trail System. along North South park trails and East West across neighbourhoods that The Knot Bridges tie or “knot together” roadway and the River Trail levels, have been historically separated by the River. Knot Bridges, together with T providing the “missing links” in section that connect the disparate heights the River Trail System complete the series of connective River loops that link of existing bridge roadways with the lower natural river bank topography. the Parklands, Neighbourhoods and Downtown. Together, The Knot Bridges Natural land grading is used to make the Knot bridges handicap accessible. and River Trails Systems create a comprehensive recreational and sustainable On each bridge crossing, Plymouth Bridge (slated for repairs), Broadway commuter biking system for the City of Minneapolis. Bridge, BNSF Railway Bridge, the new Lowry Bridge (under construction) and the Camden Bridge the RiverFirst vision provides a bridge specific Preliminary Development Budget design strategy to implement dedicated bike lanes and pedestrian pathways. A conceptual development cost of $18,320,584 has been estimated for Knot Knot Bridges are constructed of lightweight steel members with a low Bridges at the Plymouth, Broadway, and Camden Bridges and includes the maintenance recycled rubber decking. The Knot Bridges support the clean repurposing of the BN/SF Bridge as a bike and pedestrian trail. This budget energy equipment needed for the solar powered WiFi River Talk network will be refined prior to Board action in December 2011. 22
- 17. Riverfront Trail System: Biohaven Islands Floating Island Remidiation, Chippewa Flowage, Northern Wisconson 20,000 SF Floating Island, Montana, US Army Corp of Engineers R I P A R I A N S P W AFT E E T Species List: C L DR I A N Acorus calamus Carex vulpinoidea Lobelia siphilitica Sagittaria latifolia E D Allium canadense Boltonia asteroides Lysimachia quadrifolia Scirpus atrovirens S Anemone canadensis Chelone glabra Lythrium alatum Scirpus cyperinus U Asclepias incarnata Elymus virginicus Pedicularis lanceolata Solidego riddellii P L Aster novae-angliae Eupatorieum perfoliatum Phlox divaricata Verbena hastata A Aster umbellatus Iris versicolor Pycnanthemum virginianum Vernonia fasciculata N D Calamagrostis canadensis Juncus effuses Rudbeckia hirta Veronicastrum virginicum Caltha palustris Leersia oryzoides Rudbeckia subtomentosa Zizia aurea Carex hystericina Liatris ligulistylis Thalictrum dasycarpum YEAR 1 2 3 4 5 BIODIVERSITY OVER TIME A system of floating Biohaven Islands, anchored on existing downstream water. The River Talk WiFI network, integrated in the Knot Bridges, supports the A pair of Biohaven Islands offers the river a bio-remediation capacity that can bridge pier foundations, creates a conservation feature that can be viewed Biohaven experience by provides educational conservation information to the absorb 32 kg/day of phosphors or about (1681 gallons) of dish soap per day, from the pedestrian Knot Bridges along the River Trail. Biohaven Islands public that can be accessed through a mobile phone. based on the new Minnesota regulation of .5% max phosphates in detergent. provide bio-remediation to cleanse river water and provide more than 7 acres 636.63 kg of nitrates per day can be naturally removed by the planted root RiverFirst uses soft engineering principles and the natural buoyancy of the systems. Each day, the Islands would have the capacity to bio-remediate the of protected riparian habitat for migrating birds and endangered species. river. Instead of costly hard and resistive structures, buoyancy is provided nitrate content of about 224 twenty five lb bags of lawn fertilizer. These include native mussels, blanding turtle, osprey, logger head strike and by innovative and locally fabricated fiber foam made of 100% recycled PET karner blue butterfly. Biohaven islands can be adopted and supported by local (water bottle plastics). Soil and gravel are placed atop the island to provide Preliminary Development Budget organizations or corporations as special sites for native berries and plantings. a nutrient medium for plants and shrubs. Islands are tethered fixed anchors A conceptual development cost of $12,188,880 has been estimated for 6 clusters People who walk along the Trail System Loops will have the experience of being outside of the existing Navigation Channel. A hinge connection allows the of Biohaven Islands that run from the west side of the Broadway Bridge to the able to pause at the mid-point of the River and observe native vegetation, bird downstream island to shift slightly, accommodating different water levels and west side of the Canadian Pacific Railroad Bridge.facing North Mississippi Park. and wildlife activities. Kayakers will be able to experience the Biohavens from the allowing sunlight down to the river bed below. This budget will be refined prior to Board action in December 2011. 23
- 18. Priority Projects 0 – 5 Years Farview Park Extension This major new park extension bridges over Interstate 94 and reconnects the high point of the city and communities in North Minneapolis with the Mississippi River. The Team envisions ultimately capping the portion of I-94 between 26th and 28th streets with a major expansion of Farview Park. However, this longer-term plan, which will require significant public funding and a lengthy design and approval process, is intended to grow from the short- term implementation of the 26th Street Greenway. This initial connection from Northside communities to the riverfront is seen as imperative to the success of the MR|DI plan as an economic development initiative; it will bring more people from upland communities to the riverfront, and can bring more people using the trail system into the communities of the Northside. Design Objectives Improve connectivity and access to public amenities for Northside residents Increase access to open space and the riverfront trail network Stimulate higher value industrial development with denser jobs/acre ratio Create new 21st-Century parkland for the communities of the Northside. Design Features Open space: The Farview Park Extension design proposes a land bridge farm and open space, green corridors along 26th and 28th streets, a put-in for non-motorized boats, an open space core between 26th and 28th street corridors to promote new, denser business development, and a seasonal stream corridor at 27th street for area storm water biofiltration. Trails/bridges: The already-planned 26th Street Greenway will be the first portion of this project implemented, reestablishing the connection of 26th Aerial View of Farview Park Extension from east shoreline, BNSF bridge to the left, Lowry Bridge to the right Street to the riverfront, and providing new access to a riverfront trail system for the communities of the Northside. 0–5 Year Implementation Plan 5–10 Year Vision 10–20 Year Vision Development: No new development parcels are contemplated as part of this plan in the short-term. As details of the planned capping of I-94 are advanced, 6 new development parcels may be created adjacent to the greenway. DRAFT 9 1 3 4 7 8 1. Farview Park 5 2. North 26th Ave. Greenway Extension 3. 28th Ave. streetscape development 2 10 4. Urban Boat builders and Put-In Park 5. Flyway Bridge 6. Lowry Bridge Connector and park 7. 27th St. Orchard / Farm corridor 8. I-94 Land Bridge 9. Riverfront Development and open space 10. Lafarge area redevelopment 24
- 19. Flyway Bridge / Urban Boat Builders—boaters view DRAFT 25
- 20. Priority Projects 0 – 5 Years Farview Park Extension Green Roof (Before & After) Newton Street Farms NYC View from Farview Park to Land Bridge, urban farming and park extension Green Roof (Before & After) Eagle Street Rooftop Farm, NYC AFT View from Flyway bridge toward Lafarge and BNSF bridge View of Urban Boat Builders and Flyway Bridge looking East 26 DR Seneca Freeway Park, Seattle, WA
- 21. View of Flyway Bridge from shoreline trail DRAFT Site section through North Pacific Street and the Proposed Riverfront Park 27
- 22. Priority Projects 0 – 5 Years Scherer Park District With the restoration of Hall’s Island and the creation of a river beach cove, Scherer Park will serve as a recreational entry point to the Mississippi trail and park system for kayaks, bikes, skiers, runners and walkers. The park will become a signature 21st-century urban park landscape. It will bethe center of a riverfront destination flanked by Boom Island and Sheridan Park and surrounded by a vibrant mix of development that will energize the riverfront. Design Objectives Create an active urban park that leverages new on-site development for year- round activity and recreation Establish a destination landscape complemented by a program for the site’s development that helps bring the public to the riverfront; Produce a flexible design and development program that maximizes revenues to support the park operations on an annual basis; Create a public open space that is safe and active 24/7; Develop the site such that it is mindful of its adjacent uses; Forge connections – both physical and programmatic – that contribute to the activation of Boom Island; Establish a major trailhead for bike, hike, running, skiing. Design Features Open space: The Scherer Park landscape and park are envisioned to feature a kayak cove, public beach, day-lighted seasonal streams and riparian habitat, small picnic meadows and greens, a reclaimed Hall’s Island, and a swimming barge. At Sheridan Park, just north of the Scherer site and a critical component Aerial view looking South over the Sheriden Park District of a comprehensive Scherer Park District, a playground is envisioned for use by multiple age groups, as is a Veteran’s memorial. On Boom Island, potential improvements include a land form “archipelago” throughout the park for spatial 0–5 Year Implementation Plan 5–10 Year Vision 10–20 Year Vision variation, to direct water flows, and to focus habitats. Trails/bridges: Scherer Park will feature a major trailhead, will be thoughtfully 5 oriented to the network upriver and downriver, and will serve as the crossroads AFT of multiple routes.. 8 DR Development: Well-designed and programmed adjacent development is central to establishing safe and activated urban parkland while also generating revenues to fund ongoing parkland operations and maintenance. For these reasons, several areas around Scherer Park are strategically proposed for development. They include the eastern edges of the former Scherer Brothers site, the areas 4 around the marina in Boom Island, and the City-owned parcel adjacent to 3 the planned Sheridan Park, between 13th and 14th Avenues Northeast. Development recommendations recognize that in the case of Boom Island, 2 restrictive covenants on the land as well as neighbourhood interests will require careful consideration of any development-related uses. . 7 Preliminary Development Budget 1 6 A conceptual development cost of $27,747,554 has been estimated for the site work and park landscape for Scherer and Sheridan Parks. Costs do not include site 1. Restored Hall’s Island 4. Commercial Development 7. Boom Island park 8. Broadway Corridor remediation. This budget will be refined prior to Board action in December 2011. 2. Kayak Cove Swimming / 5. Sheridan Park topographic/forestation Development 28 Skating Barge 6. Boom Island marina enhancements 3. Hall Island Bridge development
- 23. Bo01, Malmö, Sweden Bo01, Malmö, Sweden Waitangi Park, NZ DRAFT View of Hall Island from River Metamorphosis 1: Site section looking North (Hall Island on the left) Jose Ulloa Davet + Delphine Ding 29
- 24. Priority Projects 0 – 5 Years Scherer Park District DRAFT Winter View of Hall Island from Plymouth Bridge, Swimming / Skating Barge in foreground Site section through Scherer Park looking South, Hall Island on right 30
- 25. DRAFT Summer View of Kayak Beach from Hall Island Pedestrian Bridge Flood scenarios for Scherer Park: high water level Flood scenarios for Scherer Park: low water level Flood scenarios for Scherer Park: summer water level 31
- 26. Priority Projects 0 – 5 Years Northside Wetlands Park Design Features Open space: The site redesign features wetlands that provide a series of side channels to remediate Mississippi River water through bio-filtration. The wetlands create habitat structures at the water’s edge to encourage and promote native fish and wetland species. The storm water wetlands intercept runoff from adjacent industrial and residential watersheds for retention and bio-filtration. There will be Native Meadow and Oak Savannah plant communities along upland topography. The site will also have topographic landforms to define spaces and create upland habitat initiated from excavated wetland fill and use of dredge spoils. For recreation, the redesign also includes a kayak launch ramp that provides access to the river, a kayak water course through wetlands channels, an open lawn/meadow for passive uses, and potentially an amphitheater space for hosting events or serving as an outdoor classroom. A pedestrian and bicycle path elevated above the wetlands provides an elegant path for strolling on the river. Trails/bridges: The design calls for a pedestrian/bike bridge over the interstate to connect North Neighborhoods to the waterfront and link Perkins Hill Park and the Cityview School to the river. There is also a pedestrian/bike path trail system connecting the site to North Mississippi Park & Webber Park. Perkins Hill Bridge provides access to the riverfront at a critical point between Lowry and Dowling Avenue. Development: Only a portion of the Upper Harbor Terminal site will be developed as parkland and trails. The remainder of the site will be utilized for improved industrial operations or redevelopment. The Team is working in Northside Wetlands Park, Aerial view collaboration with the City to identify what types of redevelopment may be feasible, over what period of time, and how the wetland and trail system can The transformation of the southern half of the Upper Harbor Terminal to the Design Objectives increase the likelihood of successful redevelopment. Northside Wetland Park seeks to leverage City-owned land to provide for a Promote a more sustainable landscape; new alluvial wetland landscape targeted to create a civic-scaled open space Preliminary Development Budget Create a wetland to serve as a public space amenity, storm water amenity that provides bio-filtration for storm water flows, increased flood A conceptual development cost of $54,388,752 has been estimated for the remediation feature, and habitat for local fauna; protection, new riverfront habitats, and opportunities to touch the water. This site work and wetland landscape for Northside Wetland Park. Costs for site Connect to North Neighborhoods and provide access to the riverfront and redevelopment would create new value for the remainder of the City’s site, remediation are not included. This budget will be refined prior to Board river trails; and for adjacent land uses, which will be the subject of the refined Above action in December 2011. The Falls plan, currently under review by the Department of Planning and Link Pedestrian/bike path to North Mississippi Park; Economic Development. The intent is to create an environmentally-beneficial Establish a brand identity for the area north of the Lowry bridge and to the plan that also creates brand value for the entire district north of Lowry east of I-94. Street, while leaving substantial flexibility for future development—whether industrial, commercial, or residential. 1. Northside Wetland Park 8. Biofiltration wetland terraces AFT 2. Sediment collection islands 9. Park “rooms” 3. North 34rth Ave. pedestrian 10. Forested Ridge trail DR connection 11. Initial development site 4. Existing Cold Storage Building 12. Development sites 5. Cold Storage Building remodeled 13. Additional park “rooms” to year-round recreation center 14. Canadian Pacific undercrossing 6. Amphitheater slope 15. Saint Anthony’s Falls Laboratory 7. PV arrival canopy 32
- 27. 0–5 Year Implementation Plan 5–10 Year Vision 10–20 Year Vision 14 13 10 12 9 8 7 11 6 4 5 2 DRAFT 33
- 28. Priority Projects 0 – 5 Years Northside Wetlands Park Urban wetland, Shanghai Centenary Riverside, Rotherham UK Restored wetland, Seoul Restored wetland, Seoul AFT Aerial view over Northside Wetlands Park DR Urban Wetland, Dupont, Maryland Urban Wetland, Dupont, Maryland Site section from Washington St. to River 34
- 29. View of Cold Storage Building remodeled as year-round recreation center DRAFT 35
- 30. Priority Projects 0 – 5 Years Northside Wetlands Park DRAFT View of Wetland Park from the South, Grain elevator beyond Park “Room” as dredge spoil holding site Park Room as meadow / picnic site Park Room as native crop cultivation area 36
- 31. DRAFT Kayaking in the Northside Wetlands Park 37
- 32. Priority Projects 0 – 5 Years Downtown Gateway Park 1 2 3 Aerial view of Gateway Park and Library Square 1. Hennepin Bridge landing 2. Urban riparian corridor 3. Library Square The development of Gateway Park is an exciting effort to create a dramatic gateway to the Minneapolis downtown at the Hennepin Avenue Bridge and link it with a proposed signature downtown park, located in the vicinity of the new Library and Nicollet Mall. This project, led by the Trust for Public Land and various downtown interests, complements RiverFIRST by essentially AFT extending Nicollet Mall to the river. As the Gateway Park concepts develop, DR RiverFirst proposes that a native riparian corridor descend directly down to the river’s edge in parallel with more urbanized connections leading upward to and from the Hennepin Avenue bridge crossing. A bridge landing that is strongly framed by riparian forest highlights the significance of the river as an active natural system within the downtown. RiverFirst plans to closely follow the development of this important project and proposes to work with the Gateway Park design team to contribute ideas on pedestrian and hyrdrologic connections to the river. RiverFirst recommends that daylighted storm flows become part of the program and landscape framework of the new park. 38
- 33. Visionary Projects 5 – 20 Years Spirit Island Site of the original Spririt Island AFT A sacred place for the Dakota Indians, the now vanished Spirit Island had the poignancy of the Spirit Island story and the concept of its renewal are DR been physically symbolized during the design competition phase by an strong attractors and rallying points for the larger task to come. Engaging the illuminated river weir, which marked the site as the eye and soul of the river. community might involve a workshop to develop ideas for Spirit Island and a This visual gesture is envisioned more as an opening commitment to a new walking tour of the Upper River with local Native Americans interested to join cultural understanding that needs to be realized than as a physical project the effort. Future efforts might include convening a council of representatives ready for development at this point. RIVERFIRST plans to have many more from interested groups and tribes as guidance for RIVERFIRST initiatives. In conversations with Native American groups, perform additional research, addition to developing this site, the redesign poses significant potential for and discuss design ideas before it attempts to fully embody recollections of a deeper type of municipal accomplishment in its ability to personally and this heritage in relation to the riverfront redevelopment. At the same time, physically reconnect Spirit Island to its cultural past. 39
- 34. Visionary Projects 5 – 20 Years Northeast Riverfront Park 8 11 12 7 15 6 9 5 4 13 Aerial view of East Side park – biofiltration path and ravine at Gluek Park 3 For Northeast Minneapolis, RIVERFIRST follows principles of carving produced by the 1. BNSF Pedestrian Bridge and Third Rail Cafe constant flow of water against the river’s limestone bluffs. Ravine landscapes remediate storm 2. Sheridan Park water and form stepped eco-stairs for flows of water, people, and wildlife, and serve as high 3. Psycho Suzy’s 10 points to overlook the Mississippi and downtown Minneapolis. These new open spaces, 4. Gluek Park contemplated primarily as resources for the environment and local residents, will intermingle 5. Sample Room 15 6. Edgewater park 1 with existing smaller privately-owned parcels along the riverfront that contain a variety of uses. 7. MWMO headquarters Some of the ravines are envisioned to provide public access to the river, with the potential for 8. Marshall Terrace Park small boat launches and docks. 9. Kid’s Art Camp 10. Bed and Breakfast 11. Marshall Terrace Housing 12. Lowry Commercial District 14 13. Prairie Loop Bike Way 14. Riverfront Residential Development 15 15. Rain Garden Streets 2 40 DRAFT 0–5 Year Implementation Plan 5–20 Year Vision
- 35. DRAFT View from Marshall Ave. into biofiltration ravine and path Design Objectives Design Features Establish consistent presence of East Side Riverfront park as a city-wide and neighborhood open space; Open space: The design for this site includes elevated river edge overlooks, wetland / biofiltration storm water Build upon existing parks, structures, and businesses that support park environment and enlarge the amenities for treatment corridors leading to river, fishing piers and small boat docks, native forest and understory restoration along Northeast residents and businesses; banks, an upgraded forest canopy at existing park spaces, and bike and pedestrian thru-ways at Marshall St. Provide continuous bike and pedestrian linkage along Marshall Street, and topographically-defined bike and Trails/bridges: Implementing new trails in this section of the riverfront will be challenging, given substantial private pedestrian routes along or overlooking the river’s edge; ownership, small parcelization, and challenging topography. Therefore, a new bikeway is envisioned primarily along Retain heterogeneous neighborhood character of best existing structures and businesses; and Marshall Street; trails that run alongside the river are a longer-term prospect. Remediate and bio-filter existing storm water outfalls. Development: Any new development along this stretch of the riverfront will be spearheaded privately by private landowners. 41
- 36. Visionary Projects 5 – 20 Years Northeast Riverfront Park DRAFT View from Bluff overlook to biofiltration ravine and boat dock Geotextile Fabric Stout Stake – Driven Stormwater Inlet Pipe Outfall Vegetated Gabion Grid Live Stake Live Stake Live Fascine Bundle Live Fascine Bundle 42 Ravine Section – Live Staking Bank Stabilizations
- 37. Bicycle Path, Copenhagen, Denmark Birch Storm water Stream, Portland, OR View of Kid’s Art Camp Commons among repurposed existing houses West 8 Mobius Garden for amphitheater area Cobble Unit Paving DRAFT Backfilled Anchor Trench Stout Stake – Driven Live Fascine Bundle Live Stake Geotextile Fabric Trail of Tears Overlook Toe Protection – Rock Bluff Section – Live Staking Bank Stabilization 43
- 38. Implementation Framework Successful implementation of MR|DI will be a collaboration Based on the refinement of preliminary plans, input from extensive of efforts by the MPRB, the City of Minneapolis, and community engagement, and the four guiding implementation criteria listed above, five projects have emerged as priorities for several other organizations, both public and private. implementation in the near term: Given its ambition, the MR|DI plan is one that will likely be implemented over a generation or more. Successful Riverfront Trail System + Farview Park Connections: completion of the entire plan will depend in substantial Development of pedestrian and bike trails, “Knot Bridges” and implementation of the Farview Park connections to the River via part on thoughtful phasing: getting the first projects right the North 26th Avenue Greenway and 28th Avenue connection. will set the stage for the long-term build-out of the grand vision presented in this document. These early projects will BioHavens: Builds on the highly successful demonstration project need to embrace at least four criteria for success: launched in August, 2011 by ASLA at Spring Lake in Minneapolis. RIVERFRONT TRAIL SYSTEM Scherer Park: The proposal leverages a new signature riverfront NORTHSIDE WETLAND PARK 1. Ability to bring the community from all neighborhoods park for economic development, and captures a portion of that and backgrounds to the river; value for the long-term operations and maintenance of that park 2. Ability to foster advocacy for plan completion from Northside Wetlands Park: Re-establishes historic floodplain citizens, businesses, and institutions alike; wetlands that create a public and ecological amenity offering an opportunity to partner with research and education institutions. 3. Ability to secure positive media attention and promote The park could anchor and create value for the Upper Harbor a brand of 21st century parks and development for the Terminal redevelopment. City of Minneapolis; and Downtown Gateway Park: Establishes a downtown park 4. Capacity of public sector agencies to work together, destination of national significance, reestablishes an open 26th AVENUE GREENWAY EXTENSION and partner with private sector organizations and space link between downtown and the riverfront, and leverages institutions to conclude transactions. existing efforts led by the Trust for Public Land and downtown stakeholders. These projects each have the potential to establish a successful first phase of development (Phase 1) that can build momentum for SCHERER PARK DISTRICT RAFT the overall completion of the MR|DI vision over time. They can be pursued simultaneously, with support from multiple stakeholders, D or in smaller combinations, depending on resource availability. Although any one could be successful in and of itself, their combined completion would signify a marked transformation of the upper riverfront landscape. DOWNTOWN GATEWAY PARK PHASE I IMPLEMENTATION PLAN Existing Park Proposed Park Strategic Redevelopment Sites 44
- 39. Capital Funding the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, and the Metropolitan Operations and Maintenance Funding Great ideas supported by great designs—like those envisioned for Council should be prepared to make capital funds available for each As with capital costs, operations and maintenance expenses will MR|DI—paired with strong leadership from government, citizens, of these projects to help attract third-party sources. They should require contribution from a combination of public and private businesses and institutions, have significant capacity to attract capital. also work closely with leadership in the City of Saint Paul to ensure sources, as well as in-kind landscape management and strategies Groundswells of popular support for compelling projects can secure that capital campaigns are coordinated with the Great River Passage for developing earned income. A substantial portion of funds for substantial capital funds from local, state, and federal governments. plan, making MR|DI not only an economic development initiative for operations and maintenance must be provided by MPRB, as is Although support will need to be concentrated around a particular the communities above the falls, but also a branding and regional standard practice in Minneapolis and cities across the country. A project for a given source of funds, Legacy Amendment Funds should promotion of the river corridor as a national treasure.. stable and substantial base of City funding is a prerequisite for be contemplated for implementation of the restoration of Hall’s Island, Capital funding will take time to secure. The likely public costs of maximizing philanthropy, and will be required to ensure the park for the creation of wetlands at Upper Harbor Terminal, and for new permitting, design and construction of the four Phase 1 projects meets its civic aspirations. connections in the regional trail system. Knot Bridges and the entire described above is $145-$175M. Raising such a sum of money will not The MR|DI market context makes generating funds through public- riverfront trail system should leverage other local, state, and federal be easy, and will take passionate and well-organized advocacy from private partnerships particularly challenging: it is not in a downtown funds for transportation enhancements, as they provide substantial residents and elected officials on the Northside and in Northeast, as location, it does not pass through particularly economically affluent benefits to Minneapolis’ significant number of bicycle commuters, well as leaders both public and private from throughout the City and neighborhoods, and Minneapolis is not a city projected for significant in addition to their recreational benefits. Use of the Elwell law and even across the region. Nonetheless, the ideas behind the MR|DI near-term population or employment growth. MR|DI will have to other funding strategies should be investigated to supplement other initiative, and the designs proposed for new landscape improvements maximize opportunities for raising funds from private resources for sources with funding from special assessments have already demonstrated the capacity to earn widespread support. ongoing maintenance of the new MR|DI parks wherever possible Investment from local institutions interested in particular portions In downtown, sustained advocacy over more than three decades to ensure that the costs of maintaining new parks is of limited of the MR|DI plan like the wetlands at Upper Harbor Terminal or led to approximately $289 million in strategic public investments; consequence to MPRB’s already constrained operating budget. other environmental restoration projects should be a priority for investments that leveraged private investment of nearly $1.4 billion. plan stewards, even if it requires disposition of public lands in some cases. Portions of signature projects should be targeted for philanthropic investments from individuals, foundations, and not-for- profit organizations like the Trust for Public Land. Nonetheless, MRPB, DRAFT 45
- 40. In the initial years of the park’s development and operations, MPRB property and where restrictive land covenants allow, it should consider Institutional Partnerships: Portions of the MR|DI plan should be funding will likely be the only major source of operating revenue leasing sites for development, entering into concession agreements, stewarded by major institutions in Minneapolis and the region. for the park. Over time, however, as the vision is implemented and as it does for food concessions on the lakes, or entering into purchase- Allowing existing organizations to operate programs on the sites the MR|DI system becomes more successful—and requires more money mortgage structures, among other potential deal structures contemplated for redevelopment as part of MR|DI can support the investment—MPRB will need to rely on several potential sources of that will ensure sustainable operating revenues. Where the City owns plan’s operational sustainability by displacing a need for public funds additional revenue to fill the likely funding gap. These sources should property, it should work with MPRB to link capital improvements on to maintain the lands. MPRB, the City of Minneapolis, and other include the following: the riverfront to a dedicated stream of annual operating funds to be project stakeholders should explore how organizations like the St. generated through redevelopment of the City’s sites. Anthony Falls Laboratory, the University of Minnesota, and the Trust Real Estate Development and Assessments: An analysis by Bay for Public Land, among others, might support the ongoing operations Area Economics demonstrates that an average development site in If the proceeds of all three sites were to be devoted to maintenance of certain MR|DI sites through institutional programming. Certain the Above the Falls study area has negative residual land value: the of the new Scherer Park and land disposition took the form of long- sites may even be deeded to such organizations with agreements for potential revenues that could be achieved through redevelopment term ground leases to private developers, these sites could, over time, public access and programming in perpetuity. do not exceed the costs of development. However, there are two significantly mitigate pressure on MPRB’s annual operating budget for land uses that appear to have some positive market value for the new trails and other parks proposed as part of the MR|DI vision. Environmental Benefits: Implementation of certain elements of the development: low-rise residential development, and sites that can MR|DI plan such as the wetlands at Upper Harbor Terminal and the The City and MPRB should also explore establishment of a Housing support (and attract) a major owner-operator looking to make a long stormwater ravines along the Northeast Bluffs can reduce the amount Improvement Area around Scherer Park and other nearby parks to term investment in their company (the Coloplast headquarters, for of impervious surface along the riverfront and also clean stormwater. leverage the likely increase in local property values from the creation example). With the implementation of Scherer Park, new value will As a result, property owners may be able to avert stormwater fees, and operations of parklands. This special assessment district should be created for the surrounding district. Therefore, since real estate is which can run into the tens of thousands of dollars every year. Where include all residential properties within easy walking distance of typically the greatest potential source of privately-generated funds there is a net saving of stormwater runoff—where impervious surface Scherer and Sheridan Parks, and should capture a portion of the for parkland operations and maintenance, and since either MPRB is made porous or where wetlands and bio-filtration mechanisms increased value of existing homes. New residential development or the City of Minneapolis control developable land in the District, can reduce the amount of stormwater pollutants flowing into the that takes place in the district in the future should also contribute to development on and/or around Scherer, Boom Island, and Sheridan river—MPRB should seek to capture the excess in stormwater fees the operations and maintenance of these new parks, should such Park should be prioritized. And, in exchange for the right to develop, that a property owner would have to pay if runoff were not averted or a legislative mechanism be established. Such a district should be development agreements should outline long-term participation in cleaned, so long as the property owners’ net operating income is not structured to cover a high quality of care for the parkland. The exact operating expenses. disproportionately negatively affected. portion of total parklands maintenance costs will depend on: Failed attempts to leverage developable lands for the purposes The final Scherer Park plan, including the costs of maintaining the of ongoing maintenance in other cities suggest that specific land restored Hall’s Island and new public beach, as well as the costs of uses and parcel sizes on these sites should remain flexible to permit providing free public programming on the site, and potential deals to emerge, although general permissible uses should of course be controlled by the objectives set forth in the MR|DI plan. The development program selected for the lands proposed for private development. Several different means of capturing the value from new development should be explored. In each case, MR|DI should seek to leverage any funds from land disposition as a long-term source of operating funds, rather than as a one-time infusion of capital. Where MPRB owns DRAFT 46
- 41. For example, the operator of the City-owned Upper Harbor Terminal Governance Ultimately, the four Phase 1 projects should follow an action plan currently pays nearly $160,000 in annual stormwater fees related to The MR|DI plan affects lands owned by many different parties, each of organized by lead organizations: the site. To the extent the site’s ultimate redevelopment plan reduces whom will have responsibilities for plan stewardship. It also will have MPRB should spearhead the completion of the Riverfront Trail expanses of impervious surfaces without limiting the operational economic and fiscal impacts that concern not only MPRB, but also the System. The Park Board owns and maintains the Grand Rounds, value of the site, and to the extent the proposed wetlands will clean City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, and the entire Metro Region. and completion of the trail system through the MR|DI study area is stormwater runoff from the site and even others in the area, the Stewardship of the MR|DI plan—both in terms of implementation a core capacity for the organization. Nonetheless, the City should net savings in stormwater fees should be retained in the area to guidance and ongoing parkland operations and maintenance—must provide substantial support to MPRB in these efforts, both in the support operations and maintenance of the wetlands or MR|DI parks therefore be a collaborative effort. form of land acquisition or easements for the trails—on either overall. Redevelopment of the site that can produce such benefits to The City Department of Planning and Economic Development should public or private property—and in the form of capital fundraising, stormwater management in the area should be tied to an agreement work closely with MPRB as it finalizes the revised Above the Falls plan positioning the trail system for capital funds not only from the City, that Public Works makes those net stormwater fee savings available to ensure that land use recommendations and investments in public but also from transportation enhancement funds from all levels of to the site’s steward, or a new assessment should be put in place infrastructure are properly coordinated. These two agencies must government. The 26th and 28th Avenue Greenway portion of the to capture the net savings for local use by another means. Such also work together to attract appropriate development to riverfront project should be a priority project and should be considered the a structure could also be put in place in other locations along the sites and set in place agreements for such real estate developments first phase of implementation of the Farview Park Extension, which riverfront, where the plan improves natural systems for managing to provide ongoing sources of funds for parkland benefits. Finally, will require substantial support from the Minnesota Department of stormwater runoff, from the Northeast Riverfront parks to Biohavens. government agencies and elected officials at all levels must work Transportation, in addition to the City of Minneapolis, MPRB, and Philanthropy, Sponsorships, and Programming: In addition to the together to secure significant capital funds for priority MR|DI projects neighborhood constituents. three primary sources targeted above, MR|DI stakeholders should to attract appropriate institutional and philanthropic investment. MPRB should also spearhead the development of Scherer Park. cultivate the philanthropic community, potential corporate and Where new parks and trails are created, MPRB will likely assume The Park Board owns the Scherer Park site. Nonetheless, the plan institutional project sponsors, and major events like those held at the responsibility for coordinating their ongoing operations and will require the support of the City Department of Planning and Boom Island to help offset the costs of operating MR|DI parks. While maintenance, even if that management is not provided by MPRB Economic Development in two significant ways: land uses and these sources will be important for the sustainability of the plan, they itself; the Park Board is best positioned to maintain public open space. development controls for these sites must remain relatively flexible, are likely to be limited in terms of total dollar value. However, before MPRB accepts these substantial responsibilities, and the proceeds of disposition of the City-owned site adjacent assurances must be in place that sources of earned income—from real to Sheridan Park and the Grain Belt Brewery complex should be estate development and assessments, to institutional partnerships, devoted to MPRB’s operations and maintenance of district parks. to the monetization of environmental benefits—can be reliably The City Department of Planning and Economic Development developed, with all relevant intergovernmental approvals. should advance the comprehensive redevelopment of the Upper Harbor Terminal site, implementing the proposed wetlands as part of its plan. The City should also seek to leverage institutional AFT partnerships as part of its redevelopment plan to ensure that this DR new public park is well maintained in perpetuity. The Trust for Public Land should continue to work with downtown stakeholders and the City of Minneapolis and MPRB to implement the Downtown Gateway Park. It will be useful to have an element of the plan spearheaded by a prominent national not-for-profit, and TPL’s efforts are well underway. The City and MPRB should provide support to this important private partner, as necessary. Multiple key organizations should collaborate to implement BioHavens (floating islands). 47
- 42. Appendix C: Project Lead Agency Partners Capital Budget Action to Progress Milestones Capital Sources Operating Sources Implementation Planning Initiatives RiverFIRST MPRB City of Minneapolis, N/A Adoption/Approval, Plan adoption – MPF Design Development, December 2011 Guide Plan Modification Above the Falls City of MPRB N/A Modification Plan acceptance – Policy Review Minneapolis December 2011 Above the Falls City of Above the Falls N/A Modification Plan adoption – To maintain momentum and cultivate greater Master Plan update Minneapolis, Citizens Advisory September 2012 public trust, near-term implementation of projects MPRB Committee, Minneapolis is essential. This will require action by many leaders Riverfront Partnership and collaboration with supporting partners. Priority Capital Projects: 0–5 YEARS The Implementation Guide is an outline of the Trails and Farview Park Connections projects, leadership, milestones, budgets and Walking/Biking Trails MPRB City of Minneapolis, $62,088,122* Adoption/Approval, Legacy funding, MPRB, funding sources. land owners includes Farview Design Development, Trans. Enhance. grants City of Minneapolis Park Connections Plan Modification MPRB – Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Knot Bridges MPRB County, City, CP, $18,320,584* Adoption/Approval, Surface Trans Prog grant, BNSF Design Development, Trans. Enhance. grants City – City of Minneapolis Plan Modification Farview Park/26th City MPRB, see walking/ City Council Adoption CIB Surface Trans Prog grant, CIB – City of Minneapolis Capital Improvement Budget Avenue Greenway Neighborhoods biking trails State bonding request County – Hennepin County Farview Park/28th City MPRB, see walking/ City Council Adoption CIB Surface Trans Prog grant, Avenue Connection Neighborhoods biking trails Trans. Enhance. grants CP – Canadian Pacific Floating Islands Midwest Sustology, MPF, $12,188,880* Adoption Demonstration project Philanthropic, Legacy Floating MPRB, DNR, ACOE, 2011 complete, 2012 Funding, Agency grants BNSF – Burlington Northern Santa Fe Islands NPS demonstration planned Scherer Park District MPF – Minneapolis Parks Foundation Park with Beach and MPRB City $27,747,554* Adoption/Approval, MPRB Funds, Legacy Funds, DNR – Department of Natural Resources Hall’s Island includes Sheridan Design Development, Philanthropic Park Connection Plan Modification ACOE – Army Corps of Engineers Sheridan Park MPRB City see Park with City Council Adoption Connection Beach and NPS – National Park Service Hall’s Island Northside City MPRB, U of M – SAFL $54,388,752* City Council Adoption Termination of leases Legacy Funds, U of M U of M – SAFL – University of Minnesota, Wetlands Park CIB St. Anthony Falls Lab Downtown Trust for Public MPRB, City, DID, Define Role and Philanthropic Gateway Park Land Private Interests Responsibilities U of M – RiverLife – University of Minnesota, River Life Program Visionary Proposals 5–20 Years Farview Park Extension MNDot – Minnesota Department of Transportation Land Bridge MNDot MPRB MWMO – Mississippi Watershed Management Organization AFT Transfer Station City MPRB Conversion/River DR Destination Northeast MPRB MWMO, City, Private MPRB Adoption Riverfront Park Partners Spirit Island Dakota MPRB, ACOE, Comemoration NPS, HPC, U of M – RiverLife * Includes 20% contingency. Project budgets will be refined prior to Board action in December 2011. 71