Mpls. moving forward on riverfront plan

City and park officials will present new draft land use guidelines on Monday evening that are meant to steer the future development of the Mississippi River north of downtown Minneapolis.

The forum at the Minneapolis Park and Recreation headquarters will continue work on what is called the Above the Falls Master Plan. Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership executive director Cordelia Pierson said the meeting is the public's first chance to comment on specific details of the riverfront development plan.

"The city and the park board will be starting their formal process of plan review," Pierson said. "There will be public hearings in the winter and spring next year. But this is the first opportunity to actually see in writing what it is that's being proposed and to get more engaged about how to shape the future of the upper river."

City officials at the forum will also present new research about the impact of proposed land use changes on the health of residents.

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Pierson said Minneapolis officials might suggest more commercial space than people expect.

"I will say that's likely to have some lively debate," she said. "Many people would like to see that more residential vision move forward. And the city is looking at encouraging private development that is either mixed-use or is business-related. So we'll hear more about residential development goals the city has for that area and how they might be changed."

The Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership and Above the Falls Citizen Advisory Committee are hosting the forum from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Monday at Minneapolis Park and Rec Headquarters, 2117 W. River Road.

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