Our Mississippi River - Get Into It! Presented by Tammy Campion City of St. Cloud Community Development July 19, 2012

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1 Our Mississippi River - Get Into It! Presented by Tammy Campion City of St. Cloud Community Development July 19, 2012

2 Mississippi River Fun Facts Largest river in North America 2,320 miles in length Water skiing was invented on river in dams along entire river 2 in urban plan study area River s depth ranges from 2 feet at its beginning in Itasca State Park to 200 feet at its end in New Orleans. 326 species of birds (60%) use the river as a migratory flyway. A raindrop falling at Lake Itasca would arrive at the Gulf of Mexico in about 90 days. The Mississippi River Get Into It!!!

3 Building a Unified Vision Presented by Matt Glaesman, November 18, 2009

4 Realization Area city s and county s had: Environmental inventories Park/open space plans Trail plans Public facility and road plans Community plans But, none of these efforts focused specifically on the Mississippi River. and none of these efforts created a coordinated vision for the urban river corridor. The Mississippi River Get Into It!!!

5 70+ community members helped create plan in 1 year!!!

6 Planning the Urban Riverfront Presented by Matt Glaesman, November 18, 2009

7 Purpose and Goal The St. Cloud Urban Area Mississippi River Corridor Plan (UAMRCP) establishes a community based vision and implementation strategies to maintain and enhance this 16-mile stretch of the Mississippi River as a regional asset through appropriate stewardship and utilization of the urbanized area s riverfront.

8 Guiding Principles Corridor-Wide Recommendations River Planning Principles (9) River Focus Areas (4) Site Specific Recommendations River Reach Plans (6)

9 The River Corridor Tomorrow The following planning principles will guide us when evaluating potential policies, programs, and projects proposed within the urban river corridor: Treat the river and its scenic beauty as an irreplaceable community asset. Plan and act on both land and water in all ways that support a long-term healthy and diverse river ecosystem. Imagine and invent year-round recreation for all ages and abilities. Draw strength for today s society from the cultural heritage of the river. Strengthen visual and physical connections to the river from surrounding lands. Use a mix of urban land uses consistent with the river community's comprehensive plans. Leverage the river to attract new investment and sustain economic development in the region. Promote public-private partnership and leadership from all interests. Engage the public, government entities, and private interests in the collaborative implementation of the riverfront plan. Together they form a holistic vision for our relationship to the river The Mississippi River Get Into It!!!

10 Project Focus Areas Ecosystem Goal Protect, restore, and manage the river s natural environment while accommodating human activities in a sustainable manner. Active Recreation Goal: Provide and manage a variety of year-round, passive and active opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to access and recreate within the river corridor. Active Recreation Tourism Ecosystem Urban Dev. Urban Development Goal: Support new and existing economic development activities that enhance accessibility and enjoyment of the river corridor using sustainable practices that balance environmental, social, aesthetic, and economic interests. Tourism Goal Provide and manage year-round opportunities for integrating the River s natural, cultural, and built environment into existing and new community activities and celebrations. The Mississippi River Get Into It!!!

11 River Reaches North Flats - Sartell Rapids Sartell/Sauk Rapids/St. Cloud Central Bluffs St. Cloud University/Gardens St. Cloud Plum Creek St. Cloud Johnson Creek St. Cloud Each reach is very unique in its built and natural environments priorities are unique in each reach.

12 Reach Boundaries North - North end of Sartell city limits South - Bridge by Verso Top Priorities Enhance the ecological function and aesthetic appearance of the river s shoreline with native vegetation to improve habitat in residential and public open spaces in Sartell.

13 Reach Boundaries: North - Bridge by Verso South - Old Sauk Rapids Bridge Top Priorities Redevelop Holiday Gas Station/Dollar Store sites in Sartell and Fischer s trailer park area in Sauk Rapids.

14 Reach Boundaries: North - Old Sauk Rapids Bridge South - North end of SCSU Top Priorities Redevelopment of the east bank south of St. Germain St. along Riverside Dr. SE to Hwy. 23 and redevelopment of the west bank from Kelly Inn to Cathedral field.

15 Reach Boundaries: North - North end of SCSU South - South end of Beaver Islands Top Priorities Shoreline restoration in public open spaces, improved trail connections, and park enhancements.

16 Reach Boundaries: North- South of Beaver Islands South - McStop Top Priorities - Implement Mississippi River Bluffs Park Master Plan, Extend Beaver Island Trail through park, and promote river bank restoration and enhancement.

17 Reach Boundaries North McStop South - South end of St. Cloud city limits Top Priority - Extend Beaver Island Trail to Warner Lake Park.

18 Urban River Plan is Our Blueprint The Mississippi River Get Into It!!!

19 Creation of a River Committee Presented by Matt Glaesman, November 18, 2009

20 Mississippi Partners MISSISSIPPI PARTNER s mission is to champion implementation of the St. Cloud Urban Area Mississippi River Corridor Plan and other initiatives impacting the area's urban rivers by prioritizing, educating, marketing/promoting, advocating, and fundraising. The Mississippi River Get Into It!!!

21 Subcommittees Active Recreation Ecosystem Urban Development Events/Tourism Marketing Establishing priorities and creating actions plans. The Mississippi River Get Into It!!!

22 Mississippi Partners Actions/Accomplishments River Walk Tour St. Cloud Island View Park Sherburne County Reuse of Cathedral s riverfront site St. Cloud Acquisition of Dehler Property Sartell 2011 River-Friendly Community of the Year from Minnesota Waters St. Cloud Excellence in Community Engagement from the Minnesota Chapter of the American Planning Association St. Cloud Mississippi River Trail Host/Hub City St. Cloud Mississippi River Trail Host City s Sartell and Sauk Rapids The Mississippi River Get Into It!!!

23 Active Recreation Subcommittee Activities Participated in Downtown Walk About on June 6. Creating a three city land/blue trail map. Participated in reviewing the final design of the Beaver Island 3 Trail extension from the St. Cloud River s Edge Convention Center under both bridges to 5th Ave. No. Helped coordinate the Mississippi River Bluffs Grand Opening on July 19. The Mississippi River Get Into It!!!

24 Questions/Thank You! The Mississippi River Get Into It!!!