PROJECTS
Three capital projects will transform Saint Paul’s riverfront into centers of river-oriented activity that provide diverse, authentic landscapes and experiences.
Mississippi River Learning Center
The combined Mississippi River Learning Center and proposed National Park Service Headquarters and Visitor Center will be a one-of-a-kind national hub of Mississippi River-focused recreation, education and environmental stewardship.
In August, we announced that architecture firm VJAA and landscape architects at TEN x TEN were chosen to lead an interdisciplinary team of design and engineering experts to advance the Mississippi River Learning Center project. Their work on the next phase of this project includes completing design and construction documents, building on the schematic design and furthering the programming and engagement progress completed on the project to date.
Downtown Riverfront / River Balcony
The River Balcony is a 1.5-mile promenade along downtown Saint Paul’s river bluff, connecting public spaces, civic landmarks, and development sites, providing new connections to the river and sparking economic development along the riverfront.
Schematic design for the Balcony was completed in 2022. As a first step toward implementation of the vision, we are developing the Downtown Riverwalk. The Downtown Riverwalk will transform a two-mile loop along the Mississippi River, reconnecting key public spaces and landmarks through signage, interpretive graphics, artwork, and places to rest
East Side River District
East of downtown Saint Paul, the 1,000-acre East Side River District is a dynamic urban landscape where historically incompatible uses can comfortably coexist and:
- Reveal the complex systems and stories of the area
- Heal a compromised landscape
- Connect to and throughout the area
- Protect sacred and significant Dakota sites