Riverview Streets November 2021 - Community engagement activities, committee meetings recap, (re)discover the corridor and more!

Ramsey County, Minnesota sent this bulletin at 11/08/2021 03:55 PM CST

The Riverview project team would like to take a moment to acknowledge the sadness and loss surrounding the recent gun violence that occurred within the West Seventh - Fort Road neighborhood: We send our love. We call for healing. We celebrate the resiliency of the community to endure this difficult time and we collectively look toward the brighter days ahead.

October Community Engagement: Fare for All

On Friday, Oct. 15, energy, sweetness and bright colors greeted the staff, volunteers and community members near the entrance to the West Seventh Community Center. Cookies and coloring sheets were two of the community engagement tools that Artist Team members, Mica Lee Anders, G.E. Patterson and Briauna Williams brought to the morning outreach event. This event was planned to connect with the many people who regularly visit the Center for Keystone Community Services’ Fare for All food distributions.

More than 58 people took time to speak with Artist Team members and draw on the graphic posters near the entrance to the community center - learning about the Riverview Corridor project and sharing their thoughts. Several community members were quite knowledgeable about the project, with the staff and youth members from the Bridge View School especially enthusiastic about the opportunities the modern streetcar would offer them and other stakeholders in their community.

Community, Policy Advisory Committee October meeting recap

The Riverview team recently hosted the second Community Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting on Monday, Oct. 11 via Zoom. The committee selected two co-chairs, Kevin Gallatin and Amanda Willis, to lead future meetings and serve as a liaison between the CAC and the Policy Advisory Committee. This group is chartered to represent the diverse community along the Riverview Corridor and to provide input on aspects of the project as it relates to impacts in route, destinations and tradeoffs during the development of the engineering and pre-environmental phase of the project.

On Thursday, Oct. 21, the fifth Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting was held virtually. An update on ridership forecasts and project status was provided by the consultant team. The team will continue to develop the technical analysis necessary for the PAC to evaluate and make an informed decision regarding the best future transit option to meet the transportation and economic development needs of the community.

To learn more about this and the concept designs for connecting to the Mall of America and crossing the Mississippi River at Bdote/Fort Snelling, visit the Riverview Corridor Project Library. Sign-up to receive updates about the committees and their work.

Help us plan the St. Clair, Randolph and Otto station areas

The current focus of our station area planning work is West 7th at St. Clair, Randolph and Otto avenues. Please take a quick survey to tell us how you experience these neighborhoods and suggest improvements. Your responses will help the Station Area Planning Task Force as they develop plans to guide future growth and investment in these neighborhoods.

Take the Station Area Planning survey

In 2022, we’ll be seeking feedback on other planned Riverview Corridor station areas.

Let’s (re)discover the Riverview Corridor

Following the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, our project team will be conducting what’s known as a “Section 106” review process which requires federal agencies to identify and assess the effects of projects on historic resources.

Please share your knowledge of the rich history and hidden gems along the Riverview Corridor. The Riverview project team seeks your input to identify buildings, structures, landscapes or parks, collection of buildings and other features along the proposed corridor that you feel are historic and important to our past. Share your thoughts and see what others have to say using our new interactive maps at RiverviewCorridor.com!

Also, you are invited to attend a formal presentation on the Section 106 process and provide feedback on Wednesday, Dec. 8 from 4 - 6 p.m. Learn how historic properties will be considered as part of the planning for the Riverview Corridor Modern Streetcar project and how you can participate in the process. Please join us virtually by registering for the Zoom meeting.

Upcoming Events

Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites

Kids of all ages are heading to the Minnesota Children’s Museum (Downtown: West 7th and Wabasha/St. Peter) to relive some favorite childhood stories and fables.

Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites is an all-age event that explores literacy skills and concepts through imaginative, interactive experiences and dramatic play. This exhibit runs every day throughout November and December.

Friday, Nov. 26: Black Friday

Black Friday deals abound at Mall of America and all along the Riverview Corridor!

Saturday, Nov. 27: Small Business Saturday

Celebrate Small Business Saturday at many small businesses throughout the Riverview Corridor. Experience many of these one-of-a-kind businesses that are staples of our community and make the corridor vibrant and unique!