Minneapolis’ Upper Harbor Terminal is both the nucleus of a unique future destination that stewards social equity, and the anchor that enhances development opportunities at a City-owned formal barge terminal site. The project is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the community to enhance the Upper Harbor Terminal site as a signature public space along a restored Mississippi River corridor and create a critical link to the Webber-Camden, McKinley, and Hawthorne Near North Neighborhoods.
The Perkins+Will and Agency Design Team worked with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to build on the community’s enthusiasm to create a vision and implementation for the Upper Harbor Terminal site’s phase one park development. Consistent with ambitions for an engaging, forward thinking, and innovative design for the residents and visitors of the Near North Neighborhoods and the City of Minneapolis, we worked collaboratively with the community through consistent workshops with the Community Advisory Committee.
The opportunity is for a public realm that improves the quality of life, fosters the community identity, reinforces social equity, and enhances the physical connections and environmental conditions of the Mississippi River. The project also offers new opportunities for programming and activation, increase site resilience, and integrate green infrastructure to create a forward thinking, year-round, multi-functional destination that reflects the community’s values.
We worked to develop strategic and dynamic ideas that will create a space responsive to the environmental, spatial, and cultural phenomena of the area. Guided by team leader, John Slack of Perkins + Will, the team included Barr Engineering, Toole Design Group, 106 Group and others. We also had meaningful collaboration with Project for Public Spaces’ programming team, including the Musicant Group and Juxtaposition Arts.
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