Minneapolis Park Watch

BLUFF STREET PARK, aka Gasworks Bluff

WHAT: About 8 acres of linear vacant land above the West River Parkway owned by the Minneapolis Park Board. The neighborhood committee working on this issue refers to the area as Bluff Street Park. Readers may see it referred to elsewhere as "Gasworks Bluff".

Developers John and Fred Wall have expressed their interest in purchasing the land to build a 200-unit condominium. What we know to date, August 2005, is that they approached District 3's Park Board Commissioner, Marie Hauser, in the fall of 2004, and made a presentation to neighborhood residents at Riverview Tower in January 2005. Several years ago, the same proposal was put forward by Steve Minn but was not acceptable to District 3's then-Park Board Commissioner Dean Zimmerman.

WHERE IS IT? On a bluff, above the West River Road Parkway, on the bend of the Mississippi between downtown Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota's West Bank. It can also be described as being on the bluff between the 35W bridge and Bohemian Flats.

The proposed condominium would be built immediately behind and adjacent to the Riverview Tower Condominium, a 23-story highrise built in the 1970's at the end of the 10th Ave. bridge. The address of Riverview Tower is 1920 South 1st Street.

WHY DON'T WE WANT A NEW CONDOMINIUM BUILT? Building a highrise on this bluff is at odds with preserving the scenery of the Mississippi River and its surrounds. It would not be responsible stewardship for future generations. The neighborhood is already densely populated. We want a park.

WHY DO WE WANT A PARK? The slopes of the bluff terminate at the West River Parkway/Great River Road, making it a natural continuum of the riverbank area. The bluff offers gorgeous views of the Mighty Mississippi, to be enjoyed by the public and future generations, rather than by the few who would benefit from a private development. The bluff is situated along a 72-mile long National Park-the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA). The area hosts a variety of resident and migrating birds; this is an opportunity to conserve and improve their habitat, rather than destroy it. City dwellers need more open green space, not less. Nearly 40 children of low-income families live immediately adjacent to the land under consideration, and have very little outdoor playroom.

WHAT KIND OF PARK DO WE WANT? Bluff Street Park would be a natural area with restoration of native plant communities. An open picnic area would exist immediately adjacent to the existing Riverview Tower Condominium. The area already has bike and pedestrian lanes built by the Park Board, connecting the East and West banks of the river via the railroad bridge, and sloping down to the West River Parkway.

WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT EXISTS FOR THIS PARK? The West Bank Community Coalition (WBCC), the city's official neighborhood association for the Cedar-Riverside and Seven Corners area, passed a resolution in 2004 to support a park. A stakeholder survey conducted by the U of MN Metropolitan Design Center resulted in virtually unanimous agreement within the community to develop open green space.

A task force subcommittee of the WBCC has been doing formal planning since September 2004. The task force has received support from Groundwork Minneapolis, a program of the National Park Service (NPS), and The University of Minnesota Metropolitan Design Center. A park design was drafted by the U of MN Metropolitan Design Center and unanimously accepted by the WBCC. The design includes: Restoration of natural plant habitat Butterfly meadow Flowering shrubs & perennials Walking paths Picnic areas, benches Grove of trees as a noise buffer against 35W

BENEFITS TO THE PARK BOARD Environmentally sound solution for preserving open space. Costs to develop the park will be raised by the task force. Could generate positive publicity, perhaps national publicity, for the Park Board as Americorps volunteers are expected to be available to Groundwork Minneapolis for site preparation and planting, in conjunction with neighborhood volunteers. Positive benefit for Park Board candidates with regard to upholding the Park Board Mission to preserve, protect, maintain, improve and enhance Minneapolis park land.

WHAT IS OUR NEXT STEP We continue to raise awareness of the possible sale of this land, and to lobby both current Park Board Commissioners and new candidates. We continue to identify nonprofit partners and individuals who can help with our efforts.

Contact: em_kat_roz@yahoo.com

Posted by Bluff Street Park on Thu, 08/25/2005 - 3:28pm. | Permalink | Login to post comments