Weigh in on the draft West Side Flats Master Plan

View of the Mississippi River and West Side Flats from Carvers Cave Overlook at Indian Mounds Regional Park.

Photo: Irene Jones

The City of St. Paul is hosting an open house for West Side Flats Master Plan, which is undergoing a community-based revision process this year. Earlier this year, the Citys Planning Commission created a community task force to advise City staff and consultants during the planning process. FMR staff has been participating, along with a group of stakeholders representing business, civic and local resident interests.

West Side Flats Community Open House
November 20, 2013
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Wellstone Center, Room 212
179 East Robie Street, St. Paul, MN 55107

The original West Side Flats Master Plan and Development Guidelines, adopted in 2001, provided the communitys vision for the future development of 40 acres bounded by Wabasha Street, Plato Boulevard, Robert Street and the Mississippi River. The updated plan is expanding the planning area to also take in the 60+ acres between Robert Street and Highway 52 (Lafayette Bridge). This area provides an opportunity to revitalize a large and unique urban riverfront in St. Paul, and the draft plan calls for an activated and pedestrian-friendly urban village with new housing, jobs, transit and recreational opportunities. The updated plan will also include an innovative stormwater management plan that will take advantage of urban runoff through integrated water feature amenities.

About 10 years ago, a proposed development called The Bridges of Saint Paul emerged as an alternative to the 2001 community-based plan. FMR worked with neighborhood activists and other stakeholders for three years to successfully stop the mega-development that would have put a wall of 12- to 30-story buildings across the river from downtown, blocking St. Pauls most dramatic and significant views of the river valley and bluffs.

We are eager to work with the City of St. Paul to ensure that the new plan will protect the beautiful views from places like Kellogg Mall Park and Carvers Cave Overlook at Indian Mounds Park, said Whitney Clark, FMRs executive director.

There are several ways you can weigh in:

  • Download and review the draft plan
  • Respond to questions about the West Side Flats through the online discussion interface Open Saint Paul (topic closes November 19, 5:00 p.m.)
  • Attend the open house and share your thoughts with city planners and consultants
  • Attend future public meetings ad hearings about the plan update
  • Stay in touch with FMR and city officials as the plan is finalized and eventually approved by the Planning Commission.

For more information visit the City of St. Pauls website.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, April 20, 2024 - 9:30am to 12:00pm
West River Parkway and 36th Street/44th Street, Minneapolis
Applications due Friday, May 3 by 5 p.m.
Virtual and in-person
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Hampton Woods Wildlife Management Area