planning

Star Tribune: 'Habitat or housing?' ... We say both

July 19, 2021

Ramsey County is grappling with a big question: Is responding to both our climate crisis and affordable housing crisis a zero-sum game? How can we create the housing the Twin Cities needs, while also preserving the homes of other species whose populations are collapsing? >>

Climate change, climate justice and FMR's Land Use & Planning program

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

July 11, 2021

Climate change impacts make park access and greenspace even more important for public health and equity, and guidelines for riverfront development need to respond to the shifting climate in order to protect our river. Here's how our Land Use & Planning program's work intersects with climate change and climate justice. >>

Ramsey County considers three properties for redevelopment, conservation

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

April 16, 2021

The county is making plans for three properties on the east side of St. Paul: The site of a former juvenile correctional facility on undeveloped bluffland holding Dakota history; a golf course that's home to an endangered bumblebee; and a grassland where prairie birds flock. We've encouraged officials to inventory ecological resources and work with those studying the cultural resources before proceeding with planning. >>

New river access in Cottage Grove?

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

April 13, 2021

The former Mississippi Dunes golf course in Cottage Grove has amazing potential to be a new park, but its owners want to develop it into housing. You can weigh in to protect habitat and public river access at this special site. >>

Pioneer Press highlights St. Paul riverfront projects

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

March 25, 2021

From northern Minnesota to New Orleans, no city has more miles of Mississippi riverfront than St. Paul. A recent Pioneer Press article highlighted some of the major new projects that will enhance community connection to the river. >>

Minneapolis agrees to environmental review before key UHT vote

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

January 27, 2021

Community advocates recently secured a big victory: Minneapolis leaders committed to an environmental review of its riverfront Upper Harbor Terminal redevelopment plan before voting on the project. >>

MinnPost: UHT plan elicits mixed reactions

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

January 25, 2021

A recent MinnPost article about the Upper Harbor Terminal redevelopment in North Minneapolis highlights the wide range of opinions among residents who have been closely involved in the project. Many of them share our concern: Will this project really deliver equity for Northsiders? >>