East Bank Park Implementation Strategy MPRB is coordinating organizational partners to develop a funding, phasing, and partnership strategy for improvements outlined in the Central Riverfront Master Plan, including capital improvements and longterm operational considerations

Project Milestones

December 2020

• Project scoping

Jan-Feb 2021

• Asset Inventory

Spring 2021

• Community Engagement Plan to MPRB Board of Commissioners
• Stakeholder interviews and meetings
• Draft Project Prioritization
• Preliminary Phasing Strategy
• Capital Sources & Uses Strategy
• Operating Model

Summer 2021

• Present Strategy to SAFHB and MPRB Board of Commissioners

Funding & History

The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board owns and manages substantial assets on the East Bank of the Mississippi River including Main Street, Upper and Lower Father Hennepin Bluffs, Nicollet Island, and the trail system. Many of the assets need major capital repair or replacement. In addition, public use of the East Bank continues to grow and diversify.

The Park Board has very limited access to funds in comparison to the magnitude of capital investment demands that exist or are envisioned for the East Bank. Reconstruction needs are daunting, ongoing operational costs are high and many sensitive historic assets must be carefully addressed in whatever is done. However, allowing public assets so important to so many to decline is not an option. A thoughtful, smart approach is required.

The Park Board is going to coordinate with the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, local businesses, the neighborhood, the City of Minneapolis, the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board, and Hennepin County on aspects of the project.

To address East Bank investment demands, the Park Board is embarking on a comprehensive East Bank Park Implementation Strategy that will build from the park master plan and include a:

• Asset Inventory
• Project Prioritization
• Preliminary Phasing Strategy
• Capital Sources & Uses Strategy
• Operating Model

This project is funded by a grant from the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board.