Above the Falls Plan Update
Approval Process
The Above the Falls Plan update had a public hearing at the regular meeting of the Minneapolis Planning Commission on Tuesday, February 19 at 4:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. Due to the volume and content of public input given, the Planning Commission chose to continue their discussion for two cycles (four weeks), to provide staff and commissioners time to respond appropriately to all the comments received.
The plan was approved by the Planning Commission at their meeting on Monday, March 25 at 4:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. The full review and approval schedule is updated below. The agenda and official action is on the Planning Commission website.
The plan was originally scheduled to be reviewed at the City Council's Zoning and Planning Committee meeting on April 18. However, the item has been continued at council member request for two cycles, and is currently scheduled for the Zoning and Planning meeting on Tuesday, may 21 at 9:30 a.m. in City Hall Council Chambers.
Draft Document
The materials presented at the February 19 Planning Commission are linked below.
- Above the Falls Plan Update (Planning Commission DRAFT)
- CPC Staff Report (2/19/13)
- Comment Letters
- Summary of all comments with responses
The revised staff report for the March 25 Planning Commission is linked below. The other items remain unchanged.
- CPC Staff Report (3/25/13)
In addition to these documents a brief 2-page summary of the planning process and main recommendations is available.
Draft Approval Schedule
The tentative public hearing and adoption schedule for this plan is listed below. Dates and times are subject to change. Check back at this website for updates.
December 10, 2012 - January 24, 2012: 45-day public comment period
February 19, 2013: City Planning Commission public hearing
March 25, 2013: Second City Planning Commission meeting (continued from 2/19/13)
May 21, 2013: Zoning and Planning Committee of the City Council (continued from 4/18/13 and 5/2/13)
May 24, 2013: Full City Council
Appendices
A. Summary of Outreach - see public comments above
B. Technical Reports
Part 1: Scan and Information Development
Part 2: Land Use and Market Trends
Part 3: Redevelopment Scenarios Analysis
Part 4: Topical Research
C. Market and Economic Analysis Reports
Redevelopment Planning: Northwest Quadrant
Redevelopment Planning: Subarea 4
Overview
Background. In 2000 a far-reaching vision for the City’s upper riverfront, entitled Above the Falls: A Master Plan for the Upper River in Minneapolis , was adopted by both the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. The plan calls for continuous park frontage along both sides of the river, new residential neighborhoods, and job growth despite a reduced industrial footprint. Since its adoption, significant implementation steps have been taken, including park and trail expansion, renovation of the Grain Belt complex, and establishment of the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership. Property redevelopment, envisioned to unfold over several decades, has been modest to date.
City Council Direction. Much has happened in the decade since adoption of the Above the Falls plan that bears on its redevelopment objectives. Concern over the cumulative loss of industrial land and jobs resulted in the 2006 topical study entitled Industrial Land Use and Employment Policy Plan . Questions have arisen concerning the practicality and cost of sweeping land use conversion along the upper river. And existing property owners have requested more certainty regarding the timeline of redevelopment so that they can make better investment decisions. In response to these considerations, the Minneapolis City Council directed staff to "explore policy and regulatory strategies for providing existing property owners clearer expectations about the phasing of long-range land use transitions", and to analyze "potential impacts of the [ Above the Falls land use guidance] related to the extent and phasing of the…transition from industrial to nonindustrial development."
Phased Work Plan. The Minneapolis Department of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) is undertaking this study, titled Above the Falls Policy Review and Implementation Study (ATF-PRIS) Above the Falls, recommend adjustments to that vision if warranted, and take steps to advance its implementation. The project will be phased as follows:
Phase 1: Analysis. Staff will conduct research and analysis of the land use and development recommendations of Above the Falls—with a focus on the feasibility and desirability of different development futures
Phase 2: Plan Revision. If so directed after completion of Phase 1, staff will develop and propose specific modifications to the Above the Falls plan.
Phase 3: Implementation Actions. Upon adoption of any modifications, staff will undertake actions to advance plan implementation.
Process. The project is being led by city staff with broad public and stakeholder engagement. Key stakeholders include the Minneapolis City Council, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership, the Above the Falls Citizen Advisory Committee, neighborhood and business organizations, and property owners. Work began in late 2009.
Study Area. The study area includes property between the Camden Bridge on the North, Plymouth/8th Avenues on the South, Interstate 94 on the West and Marshall Street on the East.
River First. Another prominent project is also engaging people around the future of the City’s upper riverfront. River First is a project of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. Like the ATF-PRIS, it focuses on the upper riverfront. But the River First project area also extends further south to the Stone Arch Bridge. And while the ATF-PRIS is focused on updating the land use and development future of the upper riverfront, River First is focused primarily on the future of its parks, trails and open space. The two projects are collaborating closely as they evolve.
Technical Reports
Report 1: Scan and Information Development
Report 2: Land Use and Market Trends
Report 3: Redevelopment Scenarios Analysis
Report 4: Topical Research
Health Impact Assessment
In conjunction with the Policy Review and Implementation Study, the City of Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support has been awarded a grant that will help ensure that the future development of the upper Mississippi riverfront makes our city a healthier place. The funding will allow Minneapolis to conduct a health impact assessment that will add a health component to the City of Minneapolis Above the Falls Master Plan. The grant was awarded by the Health Impact Project, a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts, through support from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation.
Using this grant, the City will conduct the health impact assessment under the direction of the Above the Falls Citizen Advisory Committee and in collaboration with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to assess the ways in which proposed elements of the Master Plan will affect the health of people in the area. This will help policy makers and residents take a broad look at the impacts of decisions, helping maximize health benefits. The health impact assessment will provide new health-based recommendations that will be incorporated into the master plan in order to optimize the net health impacts on the river and surrounding area.
Above the Falls Health Impact Assessment Summary
Public Presentations
Minneapolis Riverfront Forum: Lend Your Voice to the Above the Falls Plan Revisions
Monday December 10, 2012, 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Open house at 6:30pm, presentation at 7:00pm
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, 2117 West River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55411
Minneapolis Riverfront Forum: Picturing Change (MPRB Headquarters, October 16, 2012)
Minneapolis Riverfront Forum: What is Next for Minneapolis Above the Falls? (MPRB Headquarters, June 26, 2012)
Project Update Meeting (Titled "Planning Our Development Future," as part of Upper River Forum series, MPRB Headquarters Building, June 2, 2011)
Presentation
Notes
Video of event
Project Introduction Meeting (Eastside Neighborhood Services, November 30, 2010)
Additional Resources
ATF-PRIS: One-page Project Handout
ATF-PRIS: Frequently Asked Questions
Upper Harbor Terminal Redevelopment Study (2004)
Analysis of Neighborhood Plans and Recommendations for Youth Safety and Engagement
For more information contact:
Haila Maze, AICP, Principal City Planner
Minneapolis Department of Community Planning & Economic Development Planning Division
105 5th Avenue South, Room 200, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: (612) 673-2098; Fax: (612) 673-2728
Joe Bernard, AICP, Senior City Planner
Minneapolis Department of Community Planning & Economic Development Planning Division
105 5th Avenue South, Room 200, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: (612) 673-2422; Fax: (612) 673-2728
Last updated May. 7, 2013