What We Do
Active in Saint Paul’s renaissance since 1994, we work to connect the people, places and neighborhoods of Minnesota’s capital city to the Mississippi River. We also work on projects that improve downtown Saint Paul and its connections to the river. We support broad community development efforts, including the Central Corridor Light Rail Line, by providing urban design resources. In addition, we serve as a member of Mayor Chris Coleman’s Economic Development Cabinet.

Since 1997, we have championed a set of urban design principles outlined in the Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework, our community’s vision of a healthy, vibrant river city. The geography addressed in the Framework covers four-square-miles of downtown Saint Paul and its riverfront; in 2007, the Framework was updated with a new National Great River Park chapter that promotes goals and principles for Saint Paul’s entire 17-mile stretch of Mississippi River.

We accomplish our work through three program areas:

Saint Paul on the Mississippi Design Center
Our Design Center is a collaborative program with the City of Saint Paul that works to ensure high quality urban design in both public and private development, in keeping with the principles outlined in the Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework.

Public Outreach and Engagement
We work to educate, inspire and engage the community in river stewardship and riverfront issues through outreach, public forums, media relations, social media and events, including the annual Great River Gathering.

Special Projects
Special Projects provides leadership, facilitation, mediation, and fundraising for key riverfront initiatives. Recent examples include redevelopment of the Upper Landing and historic City House municipal grain terminal; completion of Harriet Island Park and Raspberry Island; mediation of the Holman Field flood protection debate; community facilitation and review of plans for locating the Central Corridor Light Rail Operations and Maintenance Facility; and fundraising for riverbank restoration.