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

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“The Bridges of Saint Paul” — An overview

The Bridges of Saint Paul

Saint Paul: A river runs through it. The Mississippi.

It is the source of the city’s history. It is the heart of our community today. It links the east and west sides of Saint Paul, and our past, present and future. The pending Bridges of Saint Paul development proposal puts this all at risk. It threatens to alter the relationship of community to river, the ratio of green space to concrete, and the scale of people to river and buildings.

[Image: Saint Paul from Cherokee Heights]

This image of Saint Paul in 1874 shows the West Side Flats from the bluffs to the south looking north to the Mississippi River and downtown Saint Paul. The river and bluffs have provided a geographic identity and context for generations of Saint Paul citizens.

Image courtesy Minnesota Historical Society

What is our vision for the West Side Flats?

Do we want to fulfill a vision of the community for development on the Flats that is:

  • Easily accessible
  • Connected with neighborhoods
  • Supportive of local small business
  • High quality
  • Consistent with neighborhood plans
  • Respectful of the river’s beauty, history and character?

Or do we want to turn the Flats into just another mega-development that damages the character of the community and the river?

The choice is up to us.

More about the Bridges of Saint Paul Proposal:

On this site

[Photo: The West Side Flats as seen from Dayton’s Bluff today.]

The view from Dayton’s Bluff, which is enjoyed each year by thousands of visitors to Mounds Park, would be dramatically impacted by tall buildings on the West side Flats.

Image courtesy Minnesota Historical Society

Other helpful links

Proposal information

Visit What is Proposed? for additional updated information.

Groups opposed to the project

Groups opposed to the Bridges project are listed here.

Links to Bridges in the Press