RiverFirst
Minneapolis, MN
Work in collaboration with Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and Minneapolis Parks Foundation
RiverFirst is a $200 million Minneapolis riverfront park and redevelopment initiative for the remaining six miles of non-public, Mississippi River corridor through the city. RiverFirst is the unifying vision for park acquisition and development projects over coming decades that, together, will complete Minneapolis’ riverfront Grand Rounds system. The vision knits a new urban fabric between disadvantaged neighborhoods and the river in a portion of the city without river access.
The RiverFirst vision depends on broad public/private partnership to transform riverfront land from private to public use, create innovative and ecologically-rooted riverfront parkland, and guide new housing and jobs in ways that strengthen neighborhoods and celebrate the public realm.
In his staff role with the Minneapolis Park Board, Bruce Chamberlain led the RiverFirst Initiative from its inception in 2011 through 2014. Since 2015, has participated in numerous RiverFirst planning and design projects, prepared and negotiated partnership agreements, and acted as key advisor in land acquisitions, park development and redevelopment efforts.
As a project manager with the Minneapolis Park Board, Kate Lamers focused on continued planning and implementation of the RiverFirst projects.
RiverFirst Projects
Above the Falls Regional Park Master Plan
Water Works Riverfront Park
Halls Island restoration
Sheridan Memorial Park development
26th Avenue North Overlook creation
Upper Harbor Terminal park development
Graco Park development
Services:
Urban design
Project Management
Agency negotiations
Legislative testimony
Community and stakeholder engagement
Acquisition and agreement negotiation
Implementation strategy
