Minneapolis Riverfront Development Initiative (MR|DI) Community Engagement

RiverFirst

In the spring of 2011, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board established the Minneapolis Riverfront Development Initiative (MRDI) as a special project to transform the winning proposal from the Minneapolis Riverfront Design Competition to a visionary plan and implementation strategy for development of parks and open space along the Minneapolis upper riverfront. The RiverFirst design team refined the vision through extensive community engagement, gathering input from the public and three stakeholder committees: Steering, Technical and Advisory.

Additional MRDI/RiverFirst engagement in 2011 included the following:

  • Six large, scheduled public meetings were held;
  • The design team and MRDI representatives met with over 100 individuals and half as many organizations in key communities and areas of relevant expertise;
  • A community input survey taken by more than 600 people;
  • Promotion and participation occurred in more than 30 community events throughout Minneapolis;
  • Three additional public meetings held in association with the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership;
  • More than 40 presentations and meetings were held with neighborhood associations, community-based non-profit organizations, agencies and other stakeholder groups;
  • Seven paid, part-time and full-time “youth ambassador” interns represented the MRDI at more than 35 community event; and
  • The debut of “River Is,” a figurative gathering of people’s thoughts about the Mississippi today and for the future