photo: Erin D. Carter
Mississippi River Learning Center | FAQ
SITE LOCATION AND ENVIRONMENT
While the proposed location for the River Learning Center is on the banks of a dynamic river, the building will not be in the flood plain. Nevertheless, we plan to use architecture design and construction systems that are appropriate for building in this environment.
Watergate Marina has a new vendor with a multi-year contract with the City of Saint Paul, and current plans for the River Learning Center include a marina. The Great River Passage Conservancy engaged residents and boat owners about this new marina during the schematic design process.
As a part of the ongoing design process, we are exploring ways to make the site more visible from the top of the bluff as well as create connections into the surrounding neighborhoods.
NATIVE AMERICAN ENGAGEMENT AND SIGNIFICANCE
The Great River Passage Conservancy has cultivated long-term relationships with tribes since its formation, and as we move into the final design and construction phases, we are continuing to prioritize Native communities to ensure this project is respectful to the land’s history and significance to Dakota people.
It is our responsibility to work with Native communities to understand and evaluate the site from a cultural perspective. As part of the schematic design process, our community engagement partners put together a report on significant Dakota sites in the area.
From the very beginning, we have engaged with tribes, the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council and Native organizations on a cultural, spiritual and programmatic basis. Our goal is to manage this space in a way that reflects native values and has minimal impact on the river and the environment.
OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMMING
The City of Saint Paul will own the River Learning Center, with tenants such as the National Park Service and Mississippi Park Connection leasing space. The management structure will be similar to some of our other partner sites such as the Wellstone Center and the Wakan Tipi Center, where the city will own the property and partners will manage and maintain it.
The River Learning Center will be a statewide asset with year-round programming that honors, promotes stewardship of, and teaches the culture, history, and ecology of the river. Programs will be rooted in authentic hands-on experiences to learn from and with the river. The City and a variety of partner organizations will offer programming at the site, from boating to ecology to cultural experiences.
People of all backgrounds and abilities should be able to access the river, and we will strive to accomplish this at the River Learning Center. All buildings constructed must be ADA accessible, and a variety of programming will be offered to ensure that opportunities exist for everyone.
The City of Saint Paul, National Park Service/Mississippi Park Connection, Wilderness Inquiry and all our programmatic partners are committed to improving access to the river for people of all backgrounds. Offering affordable programming is one important way to accomplish this.
River Learning Center programs will celebrate the evolving culture of the river locally and nationally. The programs will create and deepen the relationship between people and the river, exploring river heritage to actively create the contemporary and future culture of the Mississippi River.
Representative Betty McCollum, who chairs the House Interior-Environment Subcommittee, has expressed support for the project. The City of Saint Paul and National Park Service have a Partnership Agreement which identifies the City of Saint Paul as the owner and project lead and the National Parks Service as the tenant and project partner. This agreement solidifies the federal government’s support for the project.
PROCESS
The City and the Great River Passage Conservancy worked with W Architecture & Landscape Architecture to complete the schematic design of the River Learning Center, which included engaging the community. The City just recently released a request for proposals for final design and construction documentation as the next step. Stay connected with us to receive updates as the project continues to move forward.
The River Learning Center was first envisioned in the Great River Passage Master Plan, which was adopted by the Saint Paul City Council in 2013. Significant community input was conducted as part of the planning process. The City of Saint Paul and Great River Passage Conservancy also conducted community engagement in 2022 as part of the schematic design process along with their design and engagement partners, W Architecture and 106 Group. To learn more, visit https://greatriverpassage.org/projects/river-learning-center.
The cost of the project was estimated at approximately $60M during the schematic design process. The next phase will further refine total costs. The project will be funded by public and private dollars.
While the maintenance costs have yet to be determined, much of the ongoing upkeep of the building will be funded by revenue from tenants who lease the space.
The project will be funded by a combination of public and private dollars. The River Learning Center will be a statewide asset. It will serve as the gateway to the Mississippi River, welcoming residents and visitors to this national center and parks headquarters with four-season programming that honors, promotes stewardship, and teaches the culture, history, and ecology of the river.
Tax Increment Financing will not be used to fund the River Learning Center.
The timing for when the River Learning Center will open is yet to be determined.