Towerside Innovation District Park There are several longterm plans for parks in the Towerside Innovation District.

• Spring 2019: Schematic Design Community Engagement
• Summer 2019: Current owner and developer of the land will construct the park
• Summer/Fall 2019: MPRB intends to purchase the improved park
• Fall 2019: Park opens to the public

The Towerside Innovation District is rooted in the Prospect Park neighborhood but spans into Saint Paul’s Saint Anthony Park neighborhood. The district is located along the Green Line LRT corridor which links the two downtown areas, twelve university campuses, thousands of acres of green space, and a rich mix of cultures, housing, making spaces, entertainment, art, and architecture across twelve neighborhoods. As described on the Towerside website, “Towerside is a collaboration of public and private partners working to transform an overlooked, asset-rich district at the heart of the Twin Cities into an equitable and restorative demonstration of 21st century urban redevelopment.” The recommendations in the ERPMP include a vision for the entire district as well one signature green space just east of the Prospect Park Light Rail Station. Several developers have been working with the City of Minneapolis, the Towerside Board, the City of Saint Paul, the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, MPRB, and other key public and private partners to create and implement the district vision. The area where the proposed parks are located is also referred to as Malcom Yards.

There is currently no park in this location. Extensive development is occurring in the district, and MWMO has already developed a district stormwater “park” in collaboration with several developers in the area. The District Stormwater System captures and cleans polluted stormwater that drains from a two¬-block area near the Prospect Park light rail station. Runoff from 8 acres of private land will be captured and treated in two biofiltration basins and stored in an underground tank for future re-use. Access to a re-use supply line and stormwater treatment has been made available at each parcel. The larger basin also serves as a unique public green space.
Adjacent to this stormwater feature is a parcel that has been recently used as a community garden. This is a well-used and well-loved space provided by a property developer. These sites are just south of the University Transit way and across from to the Green Line Prospect Park LRT station. Across the transit way is a major potential development site. As these areas develop with high-density housing and other uses, park service is becoming more critical. MPRB has been working with developers and other partners to consider parkland in this area. One of the spaces, the Towerside Signature Greenspace, is planned to become a park in the nearterm, while the other parks or public spaces in the larger Towerside District, are longer term visions that will unfold as development in the district gains momentum.

The Towerside Park has been allocated $1.4 million in the 2019 MPRB CIP through Park Dedication fees generated in the Prospect Park neighborhood.

For more information about the Towerside District, visit http://www.towersidemsp.org/