Upper Harbor
A community-driven strategic vision for North Minneapolis
In 2016, we responded to a city RFP to imagine the possibilities for this former 48-acre shipping terminal — the largest single-owner development left on the Mississippi River. Since then, we have been working in partnership with the city and community to create an equitable development plan that meets the community’s needs and sets a precedent for how private development can align more intentionally with community values.
With a new 19-acre riverfront park at its core, the proposed development plan includes mixed-income housing units (with more than 70 percent planned as affordable rental and owner-occupied), advanced manufacturing space, a community health & wellness hub, and ground-floor commercial space for community retailers, small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Additionally, with leadership from First Avenue, the plan aspires to include a publicly owned, privately managed community performing arts center, hosting up to 7,500 seats for ticketed events, and providing performance space and long-term funding for community-based programming.
Private developments will enter into ground leases with the City of Minneapolis, and all proceeds will be directed to a newly-created community fund, creating decades of continuous funding towards anti-gentrification, wealth creation and job training programs.
