Shake, Rattle & Ruins - 49 Steps to Madness PT 4 - The Crown Hydro Project
This is installament 4 of a 5 part series looking at the proposed Crown Hydro project. The State of Minnesota is attempting to force the Minneapolis Park Board to not only approve this project, but also provide Nationally Historic Parkland to a private developer.
The aftermath of the last ill-conceived effort to harness St. Anthony Falls
The risks to many Nationally Historic Ruins and public assets are real. Crown Hydro has refused to provide assurances that their project will not damage or destroy them. Don’t take my word on it, here’s some opinions from those much more knowledgeable than I:
The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers:
“The St. Anthony Falls District and the individual sites within it are among the primary reasons Congress established the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. The proposed project would likely have significant adverse impacts on the nationally significant historic resources within the MISS corridor.”
United States Department of the Interior
“. . . is very concerned about potential project impacts on the historical resources of the St. Anthony Falls Historic District and with the flow of water over St Anthony Falls,, the only falls on the entire Mississippi River. . . may seriously impact the recreational use and visual integrity of this area.”
And...
“The proposed project would likely have significant adverse impacts on the nationally significant historic resources. . . “
Minnesota State Archeologist Scott Anfinson
"...the exit tunnel for this facility will adversely impact a significant historic structure, namely the historic tailrace tunnel system. The construction of the turbines could also prevent the restoration of the historic waterpower canal entrance should that be proposed in the future.”
Crown Hydro, LLC
“CHC acknowledges that its project may endanger MPRB owned historic facilities..."
There is nothing inherently bad about building a Hydro Plant in this area. If done after a thorough assessment and mitigation of the risks, and as part of the long term plan for the area, and for the public good, a Hydro facility could add to, rather than subtract from, the huge investment made in revitalizing this part of the Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront.
Bottom line: The Minneapolis Park Board is scheduled to vote on this project on Wednesday, May 18. If it passes, Crown Hydro, and the potential destruction of the Birthplace of Minneapolis, could be just a few steps, and a few days away.
Download our flyer to for info on how you can help stop this ill-conceived project…
About This Series
Kim and I walked down to check out the location of the Crown Hydro project located in Mill Ruins Park at St. Anthony Falls. The proximity to the Stone Arch Bridge and other important historical treasures surprised us, so I thought I'd take a rough measure - I'd "step it off". It was 49 steps from the center of the proposed Hydroelectric facility to the foot of the Stone Arch Bridge. I decided to dig a little deeper. This 5 part series is the result of that effort.
49 Steps to Madness - The Crown Hydro Project
Pt 1 - Stone Arch Bridge to Be Shut Down?
Pt 2 - St. Anthony Falls to Be Shut Off 9 Months Per Year?
Pt 3 - Mill Ruins Park to Become and Underwater Attraction?
Pt 5 - State Planning a Hostile Takeover of Minneapolis
David Tinjum
Please attend the Minneapolis Park Board meeting May 18 at 5:00 PM to show your support for stopping this ill-conceived project.
Contact your elected officials and ask them to drop their support...
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