Public hearing scheduled for Wednesday, September 20 at 6:30 pm
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) has published two preferred draft concepts for the project to transform North Commons Park into a Northside hub for arts, recreation, athletics and community activities.
In conjunction with the release of the plans, a public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, September 20 at 6:30 pm. If the Board’s Planning Committee approves either plan, the full Board will vote on the issue on Wednesday, October 4. In the meantime, the public is encouraged to review the preferred draft concept plans and consider providing comments for the public hearing. See details below.
Background on Development of Concept Plans
On April 26, staff presented an update on the concept design phase of the North Commons Phase 1 Improvements project. These concepts, ranging in budget from $22 million to $49 million, were created based on more than two years of community engagement.
Through Board discussion at that time, the Board noted that it was not prepared to move forward with a single concept design; since then, MPRB staff have prepared two preferred draft concept designs for consideration by the Board’s Planning Committee and the full Board:
- A concept design that builds a new recreation center, water park and parking lot – $49 million total project budget
- A concept design that renovates the existing recreation center and builds an addition, plus a new water park and parking lot – $35 million total project budget
Current Project Funding and Potential Next Steps
To date, MPRB and the Minneapolis Parks Foundation have raised approximately $22 million for this project. The Planning Committee and the full Board of Commissioners, at their discretion, may make one of the following decisions on September 20 and October 4:
- Approve the renovation/addition concept and ask staff to begin design development and fundraising efforts to achieve a $35M project
- Approve the new construction concept design and ask staff to continue fundraising efforts to achieve a $49M project
- Approve both draft concept designs and ask staff to return with a funding update in the summer of 2024
- Decline to approve either concept design
- Take an action of their own choosing
Participate in the September 20 Public Hearing
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) will hold a public hearing on the two preferred draft concepts for North Commons Park on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 6:30 pm in the Board Room of the Mary Merrill Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Headquarters, 2117 West River Road, Minneapolis at the Board of Commissioners’ meeting.
Everyone is welcome to share comments on the plans in person or in writing.
Speak in person: Go to the MPRB Headquarters Board Room (second floor) before the hearing begins and add your name to the sign-up sheet at the Board Room entrance. You can also call 612-230-6400 before 3 pm on Wednesday, September 20 to sign up to speak.
Email written comments to OpenTime@minneapolisparks.org by 3 pm on Wednesday, September 20.