Working to protect the Mississippi River and its watershed in the Twin Cities area

St. Paul’s Great River Passage plan enters public review

by Bob Spaulding on January 17, 2012

Saint Paul Parks and Recreation staff are busy this month and next presenting the plan to district councils representing neighborhoods along the corridor.

St. Paul's ambitious plan to remake its 17-mile long river corridor is beginning to work its way through a process of public review. Building upon the city's past efforts to make the river corridor "more natural, more urban and more connected," a public-hearing draft of the Great River Passage Master Plan has been completed and is now available online at www.GreatRiverPassage.org.

The 50-year vision for the future of the river corridor envisions major changes and improvements. New recreation-based gathering centers will be built in Crosby Park and at a reused Island Station power plant. New trail access will be provided into Pig's Eye Regional Park and Crosby Park east of I-35E. A new river balcony will grace the bluffs along downtown, and new private development will dot key locations throughout the corridor. A redesigned Shepard Road will slow traffic, and new biking and walking connections will provide easier river access for people in surrounding neighborhoods.

Saint Paul Parks and Recreation staff are busy this month and next presenting the plan to district councils representing neighborhoods along the corridor. Next, the plan goes to the city's parks commission, which is accepting public comment up through its February 29th meeting (see below). After that, it's on to the St. Paul Planning Commission, expected to accept comments April 6th-May 18th, then onward to the St. Paul City Council and, finally, the Metropolitan Council expected to hear and adopt the plan mid-summer.

The plan is available here, and comments can be emailed to ParksCustomerService@ci.stpaul.mn.us or posted on the GreatRiverPassage.org comment page.

Questions about the plan can be directed to FMR River Planner Bob Spaulding at 651-222-2193 x29.