MR|DI Debuts Draft Upper Riverfront Parks Development Report, September 20-21

From the Minneapolis Riverfront Development Initiative:

Community briefing planned, followed by presentation to Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Commissioners and request for public comment period.

09.08.2011– With the change of seasons comes the prospect of a change in the Upper Riverfront scene, as finance consultants HR&A and design team TLS/KVA return to Minneapolis, September 19-21, to present the Minneapolis Riverfront Development Initiative’s (MR|DI) draft report to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, MR|DI committees and the public.

HR&A, TLS/KVA, and the MR|DI project team will jointly author the draft report, which is scheduled for release on September 20. In it, the authors will summarize the RiverFIRST vision for Upper Riverfront parks development, along with research, engagement and other steps taken to gather relevant information; detail recommendations for priority sites and projects, timing, and funding; and suggest steps and structure for maintaining project momentum.

On Tuesday, September 20, the Minneapolis Park Board invites the community to join Advisory and Technical committee members at a 6-8:00 p.m. briefing on the draft report at Park Board headquarters, 2117 West River Road in Minneapolis. HR&A, along with TLS/KVA and Project Manager Mary deLaittre, will present to the MR|DI Steering Committee on Wednesday, September 21, beginning at 7:30 a.m., also at Park Board headquarters.

Minneapolis Park Board Commissioners will hear the MR|DI team’s formal presentation during the regularly scheduled board meeting on September 21 at 5:30 p.m. in the board room at Park Board headquarters. At that meeting, Park Board planning staff anticipate asking Commissioners to authorize a 45-day comment period on the MR|DI draft report. For timely information regarding news and developments, community members are encouraged to sign up for the e-newsletter or subscribe to the blog.

“These two intensive days of briefings and presentations represent the apex of a six-month collaborative effort to transform a brilliant-but-conceptual design for city-building into a visionary blueprint that will guide the near- and long-term future of Upper Riverfront parks development,” says Mary deLaittre, Project Manager for the MR|DI, who notes that an exhaustive list of participating individuals and organizations will be recognized and thanked in the draft report. “But our preparation and presentation of the draft report is by no means the culmination of this project, which began long before the MR|DI and includes the work of so many. Following public comments on the draft report, Park Board planning department staff will set the pace when they present recommendations to Park Board Commissioners later this fall.”

About the Minneapolis Riverfront Development Initiative:

In April 2011, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board established the Minneapolis Riverfront Development Initiative as a special project to carry through the promise of connecting people from near and far with new multifunctional Upper Riverfront parks along “America’s fourth coast.” The MR|DI was charged with transforming the winning parks design of the renowned Minneapolis Riverfront Design Competition, called RiverFIRST, from a visionary concept to a workable plan for short- and long-term development. Beginning in April, TLS/KVA went through a three-month in-depth editing process led by the MR|DI project team and involving the public and Steering, Advisory and Technical committees. From June through August, the MR|DI implemented a multidimensional community engagement process that included a community input survey taken by more than 600 people, participation in more than 30 community events, three public meetings, more than 40 solo presentations and meetings by the MR|DI project manager, and the debut of “River Is,” a gathering of people’s thoughts about the Mississippi today and for the future. This fall, Park Board Commissioners will decide the scope and timing of the first RiverFIRST projects, to be enjoyed by the community within five years. Learn more and participate at MinneapolisRiverfrontDevelopmentInitiative.com.    

TOMORROW NIGHT - IMPORTANT MINNEAPOLIS RIVERFRONT MEETING - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

Re: The Fuji Ya site near Mill Ruins Park on the Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront.

Please attend the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board meeting and hear firsthand details on a concept that has the potential to be the most important redevelopment project of the next 20 years on the West Bank of the Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront.

The first change has already been put in place - the Fuji Ya site is now being referred to as the "Waterworks" site.  As part of this process a Non-Appointed Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) will be formed, allowing every interested citizen to be involved with, and even vote on, the final proposal.

Date: 9/7/2011

Time: 5:00-8:00 p.m.

Location: MPRB Administrative Offices, Board Room Suite 255

Address: 2117 West River Road

The MPRB will hear a presentation and vote on a proposal from the Minneapolis Parks Foundation regarding redeveloping the former Fuji Ya site on the Minneapolis Riverfront.

4.3 That the Board adopt resolution 2011-174 captioned as follows:

Resolution 2011-174 Resolution Approving a Partner Agreement with the Minneapolis Parks Foundation and Establishment of a Non-appointed Citizen’s Advisory Committee Process for Preliminary Visioning and Implementation Study of the Waterworks Site in Downtown Minneapolis.

The Full Resolution, The Staff Report, The Contract

Download the Fuji Ya - Waterworks Site Resolution, Staff Report and Contract from Minneapolis Park Board

Background Info from the June 15, 2011 Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Meeting

Paul Reyelts of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation presented a vision for the former Fuji Ya site on the Dowtown Minneapolis Riverfront at Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board meeting on Wednesday, June 15, 2011.

Presentation by Paul Reyelts, Minneapolis Parks Foundation Board Treasurer and Board Member at the June 15, 2011

Meeting Notes

Working on this idea for the past year

- Believe it has “broad interest and support for the development of a public reuse plan” for the site.

- Plan to attract private resources to support development of the site

- Intention is that the site would be dedicated to public use, not for private use

- Site is not addressed in the Minneapolis Riverfront Development Initiative (MRDI)

- Proposal would be complimentary to the MRDI

Four major reason to give focus and priority to the Fuji Ya site:

1. The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) owns the land

2. Site is very close to Downtown Minneapolis

3. If properly developed, the site could be the major Downtown gateway to the river and to the Stone Arch Bridge

4. The Stone arch Loop already has an estimated 3/4 of a million visitors annually passing near the site

The proposal would enhance the experience for visitors and at the same time develop revenue generating opportunities that support the financial sustainability of the sites amenities.

The Proposal:

Minneapolis Park Foundation will engage a team of professionals that has agreed to develop a Phase 1 Fuji Ya site master plan and program.

Paul Reyelts will fund these services through the Minneapolis Parks Foundation (MPF).

The MPF Executive Committee will oversee the development of the plan.

Only Public use of the site is envisioned.

Paul Reyelts does not live near or own property in the vicinity of the Fuji Ya site.  Nor does he have any personal or financial interest in this proposal.

The MPF will coordinate with the MPRB on getting Citizen input the MPRB Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) process.

The goal of Phase 1 is the creation of a visual presentation summarizing the findings of the MPF and a recommended vision for the site development, along with next steps in the development process.

Assuming that the site master plan has the support of the MPRB, the MPF, and the community, Paul Reyelts is prepared to provide “material financial support” for the development project, and with the MPF he will champion private sector fundraising efforts.

Motivation:

Like the Founders of the Minneapolis Park System, the MPF and supporters want to leave a legacy for future generations. This premise is the reason behind Paul Reyelts commitment.

Timing:

Hope that CAC will start within the next month.

Phase 1 process completed in a 3 month timeframe.

MPRB Commissioners Reactions:

Commissioner Anita Tabb – “This has a lot of very exciting potential.” “I’m delighted to see people have a real interest in Downtown Minneapolis.” “I think projects like this will continue to make our city a great place to be, and hopefully attract more people to Downtown.”

Commissioner Scott Vreeland – “What we have there is this great treasure with 7 different archeological ruins that can be accessed.”

Board President Erwin – “This is not only a wonderful gift you’re giving the Park Board, but this is a great kick-off for the Foundation to help the Foundation a key project that they focus on that I think will be successful…it’s a broader area than just the Fuji Ya site itself…the site extends all the way to the 3^rd Ave Bridge…

Fuji Ya Site Background

1968: Fuji Ya moved to 420 S. 1st St. in Minneapolis, a chic riverfront structure of glass, oak and rough cedar, designed by architect Newton Griffin, based upon a plan by Shinichi Okada. It was constructed over the ruins of the 1878 Standard Mill. Owner Reiko Weston bought the land, 2.7 acres, for $20,000 in 1961.

1990: Fuji Ya closes. After extensive litigation, the Minneapolis Park Board buys out the Weston family for $3.5 million in an out-of-court settlement.

Background on Mr. Reyelts

Paul Reyelts served as the Executive Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of The Valspar Corporation, a global leader in the coatings industry, from April 1982 until February 2008. He remained an Executive Vice President of Valspar Corporation until his retirement in May 2009. In addition, Mr. Reyelts serves on the Board of Trustees of Minnesota Public Radio, the Advisory Board of the University of Minnesota College of Design and the Minneapolis Parks Foundation Board.

Background on the Fuji Ya aka "Waterworks" Site from MSR

Download Fuji Ya - "Waterworks" Redevelopment Report from MSR

Minneapolis RiverCurrent 9-1-11

Minneapolis RiverCurrent 9-1-11

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Capella Tower in Pink

To raise awareness of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Taken from our balcony in the Mill District of Minneapolis.

Mississippi Grind - Four Minneapolis Natives Embark on the River Ride of a Lifetime

On Sunday, September 4, five friends from the Twin Cities are teaming up with Red Bull to embark on the river-ride of a lifetime. The lifelong skateboarders are boarding a flat-deck barge and leaving their home port for a 1,705 mile, 28-day journey that will carry them all the way from the mouth of the Mighty Mississippi to New Orleans, LA. The catch? The 195-long vessel that they're traveling on will be decked out with an custom-designed, concrete skate park. At each of 5 port stops along the way (Twin Cities, Quad Cities, St. Louis, New Orleans), the crew is dropping anchor and giving locals a chance to board the ship and tear it up alongside some of the best skaters on the globe -- Red Bull guest athletes and local legends included. They'll also hold a special Ticket to Grind competition at each port, the winners of which will earn the opportunity to compete for a chance at $3,000 for the final "Ticket to Grind" competition in the Big Easy(expenses paid).

SCHEDULE 

Saturday 9/3
11 AM - 2 PM: 40 local skaters hand-picked by three local skate shops (3rd Lair, Pinewski's and Youth Shelter) will board the barge with a "Ticket to Ride." The group will have full access to the park, and the opportunity to skate alongside skateboarding legends.

3 PM - 6 PM: 40 more skaters hand-picked by two more local shops (Cal Surf and Familia) will board with a "Ticket to Grind"
Evening: Demos with Red Bull skaters including Pedros Barros and Zered Bssset.

Sunday 9/4

12 PM - 3 PM: Twenty top local skaters will compete for a "Ticket to Grind."
4:30 PM: Send-off celebration.

LOCATION
Upper River Landing & Chestnut Plaza
Saint Paul, MN

Visit the website for background info, photos and more...

Beaver on the Mississippi River in Downtown Minneapolis

This was captured a few days ago:

Tonight - Upper River Forum River Walk

Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pm

Location: Minneapolis Park & Rec Board Headquarters, 2117 West River Road

Upper River Forum: Broadway to Boom and Back – River Walk

Meet at the Park Board and walk along West River Road to Plymouth, Boom Island, Sibley Street and back across the Broadway Bridge.  Hear about the area's past and future, and learn about the bridges.

Walking the Plymouth and Broadway bridge loop, we will see how people have transformed this riverfront in ten years, and imagine how the Upper River will change.

We will:
- walk the continuous riverfront trails;
- talk bridge rehabilitation and “knot bridges;”
- see the Scherer site and Boom Island transformations;
- highlight the economic and cultural development at Coloplast, Graco, RSP-Grain Belt, Pierre Bottineau Library, and Riverview Homes;
- spot great public art; and
- look for shorelines hot for habitat and clean water. 
Stop at Broadway Pizza for a brew and ‘za afterward.

GET YOUR FREE MAP of Destinations Above the Falls!  Limited edition for 2011!

Registration by August 29 required.

Mansion of Crown Hydro Owner Sold After Foreclosure

As reported in Finance & Commerce:

The home, which went into foreclosure late last year, sold for a little more than $4 million on July 28 to another businessman, Blake Rice, according to a Certificate of Real Estate Value filed last week in Hennepin County. Wells Fargo Bank is listed as the seller.

The sale was complicated because Hawks owns Crown Hydro, a company with plans for an $11 million hydro power plant along the Mississippi River, above St. Anthony Falls. The company worked for more than a decade with a succession of Minneapolis Park and Recreation Boards without winning the lease needed for the plant.

The Hawks had a $3 million mortgage with Wells Fargo, but with the business stalled, Hawk’s Nest went into foreclosure. Hawks had until May 9 to redeem it and even won an extension from the bank. In late May, however, the park board and Crown Hydro broke off their talks.

Read the full article...

Crown Hydro Asks for Yet Another Extension to Show Why Their FERC License Should Not Be Terminated

Download - 8-25-2011 Crown Supplemental Response to FERC on Status of Project

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Twilight of the Mississippi [Video]

From the Producer:

The trailer for a feature-length documentary film about the Upper Mississippi River coming in 2012 by the Minneapolis filmmakers Unseen Ghost Brigade.

In 2010 they happened to raft down the Mississippi, just like every year. They were searching for nothing in particular. And they found it.

They fell through a portal into the many lost worlds of the River, uncovering burners, indigenous activists, fishermen, river rats, cartographers, dream warriors, barge workers, farmers, bunnies, imposters, methodist preachers, river monsters and the Army Corps of Engineers.

This is no Odyssey. This is real.  Actually.