FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2016

Contacts: 
Tim Griffin 
Director of Urban Design
Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation
griffin@riverfrontcorporation.com
(651) 293-6860

Mollie Scozzari
Department of Planning & Economic Development
City of Saint Paul 
mollie.scozzari@ci.stpaul.mn.us
651-266-6575 (office); 651-387-9045 (cell)

River Balcony Prototyping Festival Announces Design Competition

One-Day Festival Seeks Creative Ways to Bring the River Balcony to Life 

SAINT PAUL – The city’s grand vision to better connect people to Saint Paul’s 26 miles of Mississippi River Shoreline is becoming reality. From March 1 until April 1, 2016, local and national citizens and organizations are invited to submit innovative ideas to turn the River Balcony into a more engaging place for people to connect to the river and with one another.

The River Balcony is a 1.5-mile public pathway planned for the downtown Saint Paul river bluff edge from the Science Museum to Union Depot. First envisioned in Saint Paul’s Great River Passage plan, the River Balcony will form a public promenade linking key downtown development sites with restaurants, offices, shops, and open spaces that will overlook the river, and will accommodate walking, outdoors seating, gathering, and public activities.

“The River Balcony will give the Saint Paul community and visitors alike the opportunity to reconnect with each other and also recognize the value in our City’s proximity to this magnificent natural resource,” said Mayor Chris Coleman. “I look forward to seeing creative ideas come to life during this prototyping festival that capture the essence of the River Balcony idea.”

The Prototyping Festival is hosted by Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation, the City of Saint Paul, Public Art Saint Paul, and the CapitolRiver Council, with support from the Knight Green Line Challenge, an initiative of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The festival aims to create a more engaging and vibrant riverfront experience and connect people to the Green Line. Prototyping is the use of art, design, and social engagement to envision what a space can become and how it can serve a different role in our community.

$25,000 is available for ideas to create installations and programming, or "prototypes.” Winning ideas will demonstrate and strengthen the relationship between the City and the Mississippi River through themes of history, culture or the environment. Submissions are open to the public and will be accepted from March 1 through April 1, 2016. Ideas can be submitted by individuals and teams. Learn more and download the RFP online at https://riverbalconyprototyping.wordpress.com.

A special give and take session will be held for anyone interested in learning more about the competition on March 10, 2016 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at Public Kitchen & Bar, 229 6th Street East, Saint Paul. To register, visit http://rbpfgiveandtake.eventbrite.com.

Winning ideas will be announced as part of an open house hosted by Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman in mid-April, when the public will have the opportunity to learn more and provide feedback on ideas as part of the larger River Balcony Master Plan.

The River Balcony will then come alive during the Prototyping Festival on Saturday, September 10 from 2:00-6:00 pm. Sidewalks, plazas, parks and pathway will be filled with temporary installations for the public to experience and enjoy.

For more information on the River Balcony Prototyping Festival, go to the website at https://riverbalconyprototyping.wordpress.com or contact Tim Griffin at griffin@riverfrontcorporation.com or 651-293-6860. To learn more about the River Balcony, visit StPaul.gov/RiverBalcony.

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