Stone Arch Bridge to Be Shut Down? - 49 Steps to Madness PT 1 - The Crown Hydro Project
This is installament 1 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.
It Could Be Just a Few Steps Away. Literally, and figuratively. It could happen as soon as this fall if the Minneapolis Park Board approves the controversial Crown Hydro project proposed to be built at the foot of the Stone Arch Bridge in the Minneapolis Riverfront.
Literally. The site of the proposed hydroelectric power plant is only steps away from the entrance to the Stone Arch Bridge.
Photo taken from the entrance to the Stone Arch Bridge
49 steps away to be exact. I counted. On Saturday, May 8, 2011 when Kim and I were taking photos at Mill Ruins Park. I’m not that tall, and my legs are kind of short, so it’s really close by.
Crown Hydro wants the Minneapolis Park Board to give them this Nationally Historic Parkland to build a hydroelectric power generation facility. It will be an underground facility. Which means:
- They are going to have to dig a great big hole. A really, really big hole.
- They will need lots of heavy equipment to dig that giant hole in the ground. That equipment needs room to operate. Outside of the hole.
- They will needs tons of materials to build the power plant in that great big hole. It will need to be stored outside of the hole.
- They will need a construction trailer, port-a-potty’s, space for workers to have their morning coffee, park their trucks, store more big equipment…you get the idea. All OUTSIDE the hole.
Hmm…Where will it all go? Will they allow bike riders and joggers and walkers and tourists to traverse through the middle of the construction site?
Crown Hydro has not made an specific commitment to keep the Stone Arch Bridge open during construction. They refuse to discuss details until they Park Board gives them the Parkland. Hmmm…
Figuratively. The Minneapolis Park Board is scheduled to vote on this project on Wednesday, May 18. If it passes, Crown Hydro, and the closing of the Stone Arch Bridge, 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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