SCHERER PARK

DEMONSTRATION PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Located along the only Minneapolis urban river bend with South/West solar exposure, the new Scherer Park restores Halls Island and introduces the public to the core idea of the River as a living, dynamic ecosystem. The new park is designed so the River produces its own dynamic riparian landscape of sand bars, streams and shallows according to winter melts, patterns of sediment deposition and river flows.

The Scherer Park river beach channel offers direct public access to the River for kayaking, canoeing, floating rafts and ice skating. The park is organized in high- and low-water zones, with a playful set of large undulating wooden ‘deck chairs’ recalling the site’s logging history and providing places for relaxation and sunning. Seasonal fluctuation of the Mississippi’s water level transforms the park beach as the wood decks are revealed and hidden depending on the time of year. The park also serves as an ecological storm demonstration with a storm water treatment stream that makes its way from the park entry down to the River flanked by riparian vegetation. Meadow plantings occur in the center of the site and lawns and grasses make up the upper edge.

Hall Island provides a docking point to support a swimming barge in summer and a skating rink in winter. Hall Island contains both hard and soft edges creating a riparian forest condition on the soft edges with upland species toward the center of the Island.

As a demonstration site for RIVERFIRST, market rate housing, a community art center and

Scherer Park Existing Site

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Plymouth Knot BridgeReclaimed Hall Island Swimming BargeScouring Channel/Kayak Put-inRiparian WetlandCanoe/Kayak CenterResidential /Mixed use DevelopmentGracoGraco riverfront trail easementFloating Biohaven IslandArts District Performance Green/StagePlayground

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0–5 year plan

Scherer Park, 5 year plan, Aerial View

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combined boathouse and rental facilities for kayaks, canoes and bicycles define the edges of the park, bringing people, safety and activity to the park corridor. The new housing comprises 200 units of market rate dwellings which overlook the River and the park and enjoy spectacular views. Structured parking for residents buffers the Graco Building, with retail elements and restaurants making use of Minneapolis park-grown organic produce and locally-sourced food.

The community art center will provide an opportunity for working adults, youth and retirees to access studio space and develop their skills. Working artists from the area will gain an opportunity to network, teach, and exhibit at the Center, allowing the park system to link to the creative energy of the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District and the Broadway River District on the North side.

Park Program/Amenities: • Storm water treatment bio-remediation creek• Public Sun Deck and Urban Deck ‘Chairs’ of reclaimed wood • Gravel Beach• Swimming Barge with changing station, public amenities • Riverside Skating area possible in winter• Pedestrian/Bike Paths• Wood Bridge from Scherer Park to Hall Island• Kayak/sport rental facilities• Kayak launch from Halls Island• Community Art Center, Art Classrooms & Gallery• Work/Live art studio spaces• Residential Housing• Retail, Restaurants • Parking Facility

Users: the community, including artists, the elderly, people from adjacent residential neighborhoods, outdoor water sport enthusiasts, summer camp youth, and science teachers/students

GENERALIZED AREA FOR DEVELOPMENT (figures of merit): 12.5 acres (including buildings, park and island, not including river channel)

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Broadway Knot BridgeResidential/Hotel DevelopmentCultural/Arts Institution (Bell Museum)Storm Water Daylight StreamsRiverfront courtyard residentialIncreased urban density/parcel developmentGraco green roof and photovoltaic installation

20 year plan

Scherer Park, 5 year plan, River View

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SITE SELECTION: PRIORITY CRITERIA

Community Benefits

Health/Recreation (Unique River Beach Shore):Scherer Park offers the only place in the Minneapolis and Twin Cities area where the public has direct access to living river shore beach ecology. The south-facing exposure makes this a unique civic place of national importance on the River. Educational and recreational potentials of direct enjoyment and engagement with the River are crucial to implement a public change of culture about the role of the River. A broad cross-section of the public can benefit from this urban launch point including schools, nature organizations and youth programs.

Sustainable Transportation/Public Access:The new Scherer Park is in a strategic location which links to existing park trails from the south and serves as the central public launching point and trailhead for all to explore the new RIVERFIRST trails by kayak, foot, bicycle, or skis. Plymouth Bridge, with the proposed Knot Bridge, will facilitate sustainable pedestrian and Nice Ride access as well as East-West linkage between the North and Northeast neighborhoods.

Municipal Need: Improve tax base and generate revenue stream for National Parks ServiceCreate a model for new public/private development for other Park’s sitesMitigate against flooding on this River bend through use of natural absorptive surfacesRemediate municipal storm water flows and run off, improve river healthTie Knot Bridge implementation with planned improvements to Plymouth Bridge

Timing/Land Acquisition:• Parks owns the land, and has funds to help with remediation• No site acquisition required

Demonstration Potentials:Scherer Park and the Plymouth Knot Bridge demonstrate the full set of RIVERFIRST design concepts and intentions: health/recreation as a major new trailhead and watercraft launch point; economic development potential to increase the tax base and strengthen regional economic identity based on a new approach to the ecology of the UMR, sustainable transportation and water.

Critical Path Indicators – incentives and obstacles to funding and development• Parks owns land, has funding for environmental remediation • Proposed residential development would generate significantly property tax base than current

commercial facilities• Unique municipal public launching point and trailhead for RIVERFIRST watercraft and trails • Hydrology/sediment modeling needs to be done for Hall Island restoration• Work with the Army Corps of Engineers – address potential obstacles with cut/fill along river and

potential use of dredge fill. Since Hall Island already exists, it has been “aggregated” and infilled with land and so the consequences of returning it to a channel need to be studied and approved by Army Corps

• Quantify/evaluate commercial, residential and retail potentials• Financial site prospectus and ROI needed for potential developers

Green Street, Denmark Sea Salt Eatery Metamorphosis 1: Jose Ulloa Davet + Delphine Ding

Waitangi Park, NZ

MOD 05 Living Hotel: Enrica Mosciaro

Villa Macklin: Huttunen–Lipasti–Pakkanen Architects

Bo01, Malmö, SwedenBo01, Malmö, Sweden

Scherer Park, 5 year plan, View from the Boat

DEMONSTRATION PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Farview Land Bridge Connector will reconnect the City’s topographic high point with the River, and allow the natural topography to extend across I-94 to provide Northside neighborhoods with public access to the River and to the proposed River City Innovation district. Using the natural land slope, Farview Park and Land Bridge channel storm water collected from the Farview Park hill to a retention pond. The water then travels down along the new overpass bridge, continuing along the 27th Avenue N right-of-way, which is reclaimed as a public green street with storm water remediation creek, new plantings and previous street treatments.

The Farview Land Bridge, featuring a green space to meet the needs of Northside neighborhoods, is the centerpiece for the new River City Innovation District that draws on Minneapolis’ expertise in innovative materials, medical, scientific and smart technologies. A zone of four to six story office and light industrial buildings, such as the successful new Coloplast Corporate Headquarters, are proposed in the 20 Year RIVERFIRST Master Plan vision.

In the 0-5 Year Plan, a sustainable Eco Business Park, the first in Minneapolis, will provide a core test bed and starting point for the transformation of this area. Eco-Park Business owners might have City incentives to improve their proprieties with green roofs, day lighting, energy efficient business practices and renewable solar power. The 26th Avenue N bike trail initiative forms an important first axis to the River in the 0-5 Year Plan. In the 5 Year Plan, 26th Avenue N is extended down from Farview Park to touch the River with a new public fishing pier. The 26th Avenue N Bike

FARVIEW LAND BRIDGE

Farview Land Bridge Connector Existing Site

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Farview Park27th Ave Walk Street and Remediation Stream26th Ave Bike Path extensionPacific Street Bike By-pass (Pedestrian Trail if Industries will not allow riverfront easement)Lowry Bridge pedestrian and bike access including retention pond and Exhibit Center Lowry Bridge bike and pedestrian sidewalkTemporary elevated pedestrian walkwayMarina and boat builders workshop facilityAggregate Industries barge landingCenterpoint EnergyLa FargeBN/SF BridgeRiparian forest and reconfigured landscape for storm waterDaylighted storm water streams

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Farview Land Bridge Connector, 5 year plan, Aerial View

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trail connects Theodore Wirth Park with the River as well as existing park trails and bike paths, providing sustainable access to Downtown jobs and amenities for Northside bikers.

In cooperation with Northside community leaders and organizations, RIVERFIRST park farming offers a new model for local, sustainable urban food production that celebrates diverse cultures and culinary traditions while building local communities. The Urban Boat Builders Organization, a possible user, makes adaptive reuse of municipal boat launch facilities and will offer vocational training in traditional crafts and rapid prototyping. Trail connections via the Broadway and Lowry Knot Bridge designs expand access with new trail loops connecting the North East neighborhoods.

Park Program/Amenities:• Program and anticipated users:• Urban Boat Builders adaptive reuse of existing warehouse• Expansion/adaptive reuse of existing municipal motor boat put-in (DPW owned) • Community Gardens• Storm water and run off remediation creek• Urban agriculture: hoop houses, orchard, crops• Industrial fabrication shops• Rapid prototyping and craft facilities, classrooms and gallery• Major bicycle hub: repair shop• Re-cycling wall along Pacific Street• Live/work studio space• Café, restaurant• Eco-Business Park • Fishing pier

GENERALIZED AREA FOR DEVELOPMENT (figures of merit):

Farview Overpass:Approx. 300,000 SF7.5 acres

Eco-Business Area:Approx. 670,000 SF15.5 acres

Farm Areaa:Approx. 290,000 SF (full two blocks between 26th and 28th including Hardware)6.5 acres

Vocational Center (Urban Boat Builders):11,000 sft (New Addition – 3 floors)20,000 sft (total, with existing building)0.5 acres of outdoor boat building, boat ramp and public deck

Lowry Knot Bridge and Retention Basin Node:15,000 SF Retail 25,000 SF Studio/Living 1.5 acres (including buildings, not including remediating channel way to River)

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20 year plan

Farview Land Bridge Connector, 5 year plan, Park View

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Farview ParkFarview Land Bridge over I-94 with urban farmsExisting industrial buildings adopt energy conservation and renewable energy standards such as natural daylight, vegetative roofs and photovoltaicsPacific Street becomes West River Parkway between the BN/SF and Lowry BridgesRiver Research Institute DevelopmentPublic waterfront landing/plaza using former Amercian Iron & SteelMixed use residential development and water-front parkPublic marina and boat building facilityPublic LandingBN/SF Bridge Restaurant/Café garden and bike way Former La Farge industrial buildings reclaimed as part of the river front park

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SITE SELECTION: PRIORITY CRITERIA

Community Benefits

Public Access/Sustainable Transportation:The Farview Connector provides a much needed direct, generous topographic link to the River that enables underserved Northside residents to have multiple points of access to the Minneapolis Parks system and the Riverfront. The 26th Avenue N bike trail provides, for the first time, a sustainable recreational and commuter bike way from the Theodore Wirth Park to the River and Downtown.

Health/Recreation: The Farview Connector design initiative enables parkland to become productive, multi-tasking to provide a source for sustainable food, health education and good nutrition for the Northside neighborhoods. A diverse range of school, church and community programs can become involved.

Municipal Need: • Improve tax base with Eco-Park and Lowry Commercial Node, without displacing existing

businesses• Generate revenue stream for National Park Service with orchards and sustainable foods• Knot Bridge implementation may be dovetailed with ongoing construction of Lowry Bridg• Comprehensive storm water cleaning and management of Farview design is a needed municipal

improvement and can be funded via state/federal grants• City initiative Sustainable Minneapolis (2010) calls for urban agriculture development

Timing/Land Acquisition:• The I-94 overpass will generate new land for development• The design extends 26th Avenue N to the River, via the City owned right of way to the River• The design uses former City-owned street right-of-way on 27th Avenue N as a storm water

green street• Design proposes acquisition of the under utilized, vacant land adjacent to William’s Hardware• Design proposes relocation of existing city owned maintenance facility on 28th Avenue N. and

Pacific Street or transformation to electric vehicle charging• City DPW owns land on 28th Avenue N and Pacific Street along the River, proposed for Urban

Boat Builders program or equivalent boat related industry• A raised pedestrian bridge is proposed for access over existing barge operations• Pacific Street serves as a Bike lane bypass to the Lowry Bridge node

The County owns the Lowry retention basin parcel, with a proposed commercial node to increase land value and public amenities. The County’s water retention pond is retained and improved in the design with RIVERFIRST storm water treatment principles.

Green Roof (Before & After) Newton Street Farms NYC

Green Roof (Before & After)Eagle Street Rooftop Farm, NYC

Seneca Freeway Park, Seattle, WA Cobble Unit Paving

Farview Land Bridge Connector, 5 year plan, View from the Boat

Demonstration Potentials:The Farview Connector sector clearly demonstrates all key concepts of the RIVERFIRST proposal: re-joining urban water and river flows, community access and community health through sustainable agriculture on multi-tasking parklands, and public access to the Riverfront, economic development and sustainable transportation and bike trail loops.

Critical Path Indicators – incentives and obstacles to funding and development:• Job creation• Hands-on job training in traditional and high tech fabrication• Connection to North Minneapolis neighborhoods• Bridging over I-94, the Duluth precedent has increased land value and River access• 26th Avenue N bicycle connection• Eco Business Park will generate more in property taxes than current facilities• Timetable critical for change orders on Lowry Bridge node, as it is now under construction• DPW owned land/boat ramp needs to be re-located or co-share new facility• Street right of way approvals required from City for 26th and 27th Avenue improvements• One key derelict land parcel (Pacific Street and 27th Avenue N) needs to be acquired • Gas station needs to be acquired or relocated

Storm water stream Terraced landscape Parc Villeneuve

Bo01, Malmö, Sweden

Warehouse transformation, Basel: ZMIK

Bo01, Malmö, Sweden

MN Highway Overpass park provides River acess, Duluth

Copenhagen Harbour Bath: BIG Architect

WETLANDS/GREEN PORT

DEMONSTRATION PROJECT DESCRIPTION

As a demonstration site for RIVERFIRST, the Port Wetland is an ecologically progressive storm water treatment park. Located between 33rd Avenue N and the existing port cold storage building, the Port Wetlands recover a large alluvial area that was infilled between 1930 and 1960 and covered by the asphalt of the existing Port. In advance of the RIVERFIRST 20 year vision, when Riverfront park and associated urban development replaces the 20th century Industrial River Port and barges, the 0-5 Year Plan calls for 1) the immediate consolidation of the Port onto 12 acres of its existing facilities and 2) the recovery of the Wetlands and its establishment as a nationally significant resource on the Upper Mississippi River as a sanctuary for birds, native plants and emergent and aquatic species.

The Port Wetland offers a new ‘soft’ model for a municipal eco-infrastructure that is also a place for leisure, community and recreational activities and close daily contacts with nature. Instead of ‘hard’ expenditures of trenching, laying in water pipes, and using walls and concrete to contain flooding anticipated from heavier rain events (climate warming) the Wetlands uses native plants that naturally absorb hold and clean water. Runoff is collected from the west and directed toward the Port Wetland where it is treated through terraced wetlands as it makes its way to the River. Diverse plant communities ranging from riparian, upland forest and meadow (passive recreation) occur along the length of the Wetlands water treatment park. Pedestrian and bicycle trails move through and around the park. Sediment catchers form habitat islands that can be accessed by canoe or kayak.

Green Port Existing Site

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0-5 year plan

Farview Land Bridge Connector, 5 year plan, Aerial View

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GAF FactoryPedestrian/Bike trailWetland habitat remediates storm water as it flows from North neighborhoods into the Mississippi RiverExisting Cold Storage Building shared between the MPRB and the consolidated Upper Harbor TerminalPedestrian and Bike trails are elevated where necessary to allow ongoing use of the siteThe UHT is consolidated into half its current area making it more efficient and sustainableSoo Line RR TrackCity of Minneapolis-owned property used to negotiate a parcel across from Wetland developmentCorporate headquarters site or residential with Wetland viewsPedestrian Bridge from North Minneapolis (Perkins Hill) to the riverfront as part of the parkStorm water remediation

The Port Wetland is multi-functional in terms of ecological, social and educational impact. It accepts dredge spoils and stockpiled land under remediation. It continues the trail network along the West side, providing River access to the North neighborhoods. The Port Wetland also provides the St Anthony Falls Laboratory with a highly desired site for sedimentary and hydrological research as well as growing algae-based power cells.

The consolidated Port can retain its existing infrastructure, including barge docks, cold storage and other equipment. If the City elects to keep the Port it should become a more efficient Green Port with on-shore power and electric vehicle (and boat) charging capability. The new Wetland creates immediate value increases for the City-owned adjacent land. The Green Port area is well-served logistically for competitive businesses operations by two rail lines providing access to Port of Seattle, and I-94. The Green Port area vision in the 20 Year Plan is to build smart green tech corporate headquarters and residential development.

Program and anticipated user:• Mississippi River bio-filtration wetland• Storm water wetlands• Meadow (passive recreation) • Outdoor classroom/amphitheater (alongside existing port cold storage facility)• Cold Storage building green roof/terrace/day-lighting • Pedestrian/Bike Path, Recreation Lawn, and Kayak course• Habitat Islands• High value development parcel for City where natural hill topography increases land value• Increased tax base potential through development parcel• Increased job density in consolidated Port and Clean Tech development • Mississippi River/Saint Anthony Falls Lab partnering potentials for research lab • New bridge connection to North Minneapolis Perkins Hill neighborhood• Pick-Your-Own orchards can provide revenues for City, equaling those of Port

Users: North and Northeast neighborhoods, community, visitors to Minneapolis National parks, tourists seeking experience of wetlands on the Upper Mississippi River, corporate employees in the area, outdoor water sport enthusiasts, summer camp youth, science teachers/students.

GENERALIZED AREA FOR DEVELOPMENT (figures of merit):

New Wetlands after 5 yrs (excluding existing cold storage building): Approx. 1,160,000 SF26 acres Consolidated Port:Approx. 981,000 SF, not including terraces and sectional potentials22.5 acres High Value Initial Development Parcel for City:8.75 acresBuilding 1: 81,000 SFBuilding 2: 66,375 SF

Future Development Area for City (excluding new Riverfront parkland): Approx. 20 acres of land would be directly adjacent the new park in the 20 Year Plan,not including sectional potentials for added real estate

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20 year plan

Farview Land Bridge Connector, 5 year plan, River View

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Native Forest along I-94Green Economy Job Training/Entrepreneur CenterRiver Research InstituteBioremediation wetlandExtension of West River Parkway toward Webber Parkway Former Cold Storage Building exhibit/conference centerXcel Energy energy-harvesting solar panel fieldRiverfront ParkFloating biohaven islandCamden Knot BridgeCorporate headquarters with possible residentialOrganic farming (orchards)

SITE SELECTION: PRIORITY CRITERIA

Community Benefits

Public Access/Sustainable Transportation:The Port is accessed via the existing world class mobility logistics of rail lines, river and highway. A new pedestrian bridge connects Perkins Hill to the Port, providing easy access to the Wetlands and the Green Port district. New park trails, elevated in specific over the barge operations dock, provide continuous public access along the River, linking at Camden Bridge to the Northeast and the Grand Rounds.

Health/Recreation: The Wetlands, by eliminating open flows of untreated storm water, will increase the River’s health(and community health) by reducing suspended nitrates which remove oxygen form the water and severely limit natural bio-diversity. A healthy River is key to the successful, long term regional identity of the Twin City area, and its economic development. Recreational walking, biking, classroom activities, and kayaking will be enhanced by this great Northside natural resource.

Municipal Need: The current deforested and hard surface landscape of 24 acres is low lying and highly susceptible to flooding. Storm water treatment and management is a well known problem, the remedy for which can come in part from federal and state provided grants. The Wetlands provides ‘valuable eco-services’ which can be quantified over a 20 year period in relation to costs and impacts of hard mitigation infrastructure.

Timing/Land Acquisition:The near term implementation strategy allows the City to benefit from the early sale or lease of its land to Parks. The City still can benefit from the Port in the near term, as it halves it size and doubles its job density. A land swap between MinnDOT and City owned parcels would allow the City to benefit from increased value provided by the new Wetland.

Demonstration Potentials:The Port/Wetlands offers Minneapolis a new national model that can demonstrate how a dynamic natural resource can co-exist in an urban area. The key RIVERFIRST systems of water remediation, river and community health, sustainable transportation and green economy are all addressed in this priority site.

Critical Path Indicators – incentives and obstacles to funding and development:• Connection to Northside neighborhoods• Incentive to work with St. Anthony Falls Lab ecology research and observation project• Incentive to work with science/school curricula • Work with the Army Corp of Engineers • Potential obstacles with cut and fill along river and potential use of dredge fill• Hydrology/sediment modeling• High tension power lines and towers/ROW• Railroad spur ROW• Creating value through land swap so all parties can act

Farview Land Bridge Connector, 5 year plan, View from the Boat

Centenary Riverside, Rotherham UK Restored wetland, Seoul

Urban wetland, Shanghai Urban Wetland, Dupont, Maryland

EAST SIDE RIVERFRONT PARK

The Northeast neighborhood meets the Mississippi in a long and varied strip of land between Marshall Street and the River that has served primarily as an edge or “backside” rather than a civic amenity overlooking a dramatic natural resource. Land uses alternate between major industrial installations such as the Excel Plant, concrete and lumber yards, print shops, empty warehouses, popular local restaurants like Psycho Suzy’s and The Sample Room, small public parks, and single family houses.

While the form of the River edge varies, the land typically extends as a flat plane to a steep 20 to 30’ bank down to the water. Awareness of and access to the River is not a generally a highlight. RIVERFIRST proposes to systematically modify the landform to create broader points of access through new storm water “ravines” and dramatic overlooks. The ravines and the overlooks complement each other by cutting into the land to create a gentle, terraced route to the water while raising the overlooks higher than surrounding levels to create a prominence. Circulation at the River will be along a series of loops atop the bank and overlooks, returning to Marshall Street at the ravines. The beginning installments of this strategy can begin in the existing parks, such as Gluek Park (illustrated here), where redesign of the open space can improve options for neighborhood amenities like The Sample Room and Psycho Suzy’s.

The initial phase of work along the east side will concentrate on resources already owned by Parks and creating demonstrations of RIVERFIRST principles. Going forward, RIVERFIRST proposes a great civic park that is based on the character of what exists – retaining and building on many of the unique businesses and features, while incrementally acquiring more incompatible and underused properties. The gradual transformation will reverse the perception of this area from a “back” to a “front” by altering ownership proportions – from 30% park-public/70% private to 70% park-public/30% private.

The Northeast neighborhoods as well as the greater community will benefit from a park of this scale to take

East Side Riverfront Existing Site

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New demonstration ravine on MPRB property, including storm water daylighted streamPsycho Suzy’s existing dining deck and dockStorm water is diverted through a new Riperian Ravine within Glueck Park. The Sample Room’s parking is relocated to allow for a dining terrace that adjoins the parkNew demonstration storm water ravineEdgewater park is regraded to create both ravine and observation pointMWMO HeadquartersMarshall Terrace and bioremediation ravine

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advantage of the overlooks and bluff topography of the east side. Places for public, communal events, as well as day to day family usage are provided. The transformation of this area is based specifically on the unique features, gritty artistic character, and social landmarks known already to the community. The park will create a better organizational sense of the neighborhood, improve property values, and solidify the residential fabric adjacent. For the first time all Northeast residents will have the opportunity to access the River edge safely within ADA guidelines.

Park Program/Amenities:• Remodeled Marshall Street with tree allee, separated pedestrian and bike paths, storm water interception

and filtration• Storm water ravines “daylighting” current pipe outfalls, biofiltration terraces which slow down and clean

polluted run-off, create new habitat, and allow ADA access to the River edge and public dock• Consistent new river edge native planting and forestation – both public and private lands• Raised overlooks edged by parapet stone walls for seating, picnicking• Conversion of Marshall Street block to a pioneering residential re-habilitation project• Conversion of existing apartment block at Marshall Terrace to gallery/studio structure and flanked by a

sculpture park• Children’s Art Camp housed within gradually acquired single family houses• Commercial node at Lowry, expanding what exists• Bed and Breakfast uses at existing houses• Center for ecological advocacy in relocated existing houses• Expansion of current plans for Sheridan Park to a major Northeast neighborhood event and festival

space

Users: Northeast and North neighborhoods, community, park visitors, cross country skiers, birding enthusiasts, recreational biking and commuter biking

GENERALIZED AREA FOR DEVELOPMENT (figures of merit):

Existing Parks: Marshall Terrace Park – 7.7 acres, Gluek Park – 3.1 acres, Edgewater Park – 3.0 acres, Sheridan Park – 4.8 acres (potentially)

Sculpture Park: 4.8 acres, Gallery/Studios 18,900 SF in two floors

Marshall Terrace Residential Site: 3.6 acres, number of DUs needs analysis

Children’s Art Camp: 1.8 acre “campus” with 4 repurposed single family houses

Bed and Breakfast Hospitality: 1.5 acres with 4 repurposed single family houses

Ravine ecological areas: 3.6 acres of re-shaped landform for storm water projects

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Observation terraces receive fill material from ravines excavated from proposed daylighted storm water streamsArt Camp repurposes existing Marshall Street singe family housesMarshall Block facility is transformed into an exciting new residential cluster

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Bicycle Path, Copenhagen, Denmark Birch

West 8 Mobius Garden for amphitheater area Overlook Framed Trail of Tears Overlook

Storm water Stream, Portland, OR

SITE SELECTION: PRIORITY CRITERIA

Community Benefits

Ecological Function:The northeast side creates a good deal of storm run-off containing road salts and other pollutants which currently dumps into the Mississippi from large piped outfalls. RIVERFIRST alters this pattern by bringing a large portion of this water to the surface where it is naturally biofiltered within daylighted streams in the ravines. The ravines will create the type of rich new riparian habitats for both flora and fauna that occur when larger amounts of water is can be detained and infiltrate the soil. Funding and grants for storm water projects of this variety is available.

Municipal Need:The current fragmented pieces of park along the east bluffs don’t add enough value to the Northeast to be a significant factor in daily life or to justify their operations and maintenance. The proposed East Bluffs Park aggregates these pieces into a visible, identifiable single system over time. The new park creates more varied and remarkable experiences, based on natural dramatic topographic features unique to this side of the River. Using as much of the existing architecture and features as possible and relying on the transformation of landform, the need for large scale capital projects will be greatly reduced – more bang for the public dollar and property value will increase along with tax base.

Timing/Land Acquisition:MPRB owns three parks on the east side along with various smaller parcels. This is an opportunistic place to start with remodeling efforts that maximize the varied character and the ecological function of the site, augmenting the public benefit of adjacent private businesses that lend themselves to the site. Marshall Street needs immediate remodeling with trees, sidewalks and bike ways, possibly within current initiatives. The next step is to acquire strategic parcels that can transform entire sections to public park – i.e. Marshall Street block, Siewek Lumber. Also smaller parcels with private houses can lend themselves to new, more public functions. Houses can also be moved to other locations allowing different ways to organize functions. Strengthen valuable publicly oriented businesses – commercial node at Lowry, Sample Room, Psycho Suzy’s. Incremental plan builds on the existing strengths of the area, generating improved community support.

Demonstration Potential:The East Side Riverfront demonstrates the RIVERFIRST principles of bringing the water to the River in a natural and clean state, enlarging habitat, creating equal access to the River’s edge, and getting the most value possible from existing park facilities. This is done without extensive new infrastructure or large scale public expenditures – much of the work can done via friendly private development or a community of volunteers.

Critical Path Indicators – incentives and obstacles to funding and development:• Storm water health – key public issue• Solidifying the Northeast neighborhood in terms of value and social life• Maximizing the presence and life of the River• Some key parcels are already for sale – landowners believe change is coming• Seed money for renovation of public parks and revision of Sheridan design needed• Marshall Street block redesign will require fast work with current project and creative traffic work to

achieve more working area• Incremental acquisitions allow for more metered flow of funds as available but must keep eye to public’s

perception of real change

Ravine Cross Section

Bluff stairs, Seattle, WADown lower bluff stairs, Seattle, WA Bluff stairs, Seattle, WA