Timeline

Since it’s inception in 2013 Towerside has achieved several milestones. By approaching the planning and development of the district’s 370 acres as a whole, and with area stakeholder and topic experts at the table, multiple projects have emerged. This collaborative, district-level approach to development enables Towerside’s partners to leverage their unique assets, which when combined, can recalibrate the public, private, and civic wealth of the community and re-channel it, creating an opportunity to problem-solve at scale.

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

  • Community Planning Work

  • Public-Private Partnership Formed

  • Green Line LRT Opens

  • Surly's Destination Brewery Facility Opens

  • Healthy Community Guide Created

  • Restorative Development Guide Created

  • District Stormwater Phase 1

  • District Energy Feasibility

  • Dual City Innovation District Resolutions

  • District Guidelines for Development

  • District Parking Feasibility

  • District Entity Formation

  • Green 4th St Reconstruction

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022+

  • MPRB East of River Masterplan

  • District Framework for Implementation

  • Innovation District Policy included in Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan

  • Towerside Park Green Space

  • Green 4th Street Enhancements complete

  • District Stormwater Phase II begins

  • Bridal Veil Regional Trail Corridor Adopted

  • District Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage begins

  • Tower Hill Park & Luxton Park Improvements

  • Integrated Utility Hub

  • Saint Paul Green Space

  • EcoDistricts Certified

Updates

  • December 16, 2021

    The Masters of Urban and Regional Planning Students Land use planning class is holding a Community Exhibit 12/16/21 - Interrogating the Innovation District at the University Enterprise Labs.

    This semester students have been working arduously to develop 10 land use planning projects focused on reconsidering the notion of an innovation district.

    Thursday, December 16th from 6 to 8:30 pm

  • September 23, 2021

    Aquifer energy storage project wins financial backing of Mpls city council

  • August 16, 2021

    The Market at Malcolm Yards & O'Shaughnessy Distillery open



  • September 30, 2020

    Green 4th Street Enhancements Completed

  • June 30, 2020

    Metropolitan Council awards $100,000 grant for District Stormwater Phase II

  • September 01, 2019

    Towerside Innovation District Park complete

Blog

Nominees for Board of Directors

May 30, 2022 by towersideadmin

Board of Director Nominations with Terms ending in 2025 Read More

2022 Board of Directors

May 30, 2022 by towersideadmin

2022 Towerside Board of Directors

Diane Rucker Towerside Board Chairperson; Executive Director, University Enterprise Labs

Nina Axelson Founder, Grid Catalyst

Michael Berthelsen Vice President for University Services, University of Minnesota

Gina Ciganik CEO, Healthy Building Network

Metric Giles Policy Coordinator, Community Stabilization Project

Richard Gilyard President, Prospect Park 2020

Gloria Jeff Metro District Livability District Director, Minnesota Department of Transportation

Eddie Landenberger Assembly

Pat Mascia Managing Director, University of Minnesota Foundation

Karen Nelson Manager of Engineering Services, Versa-Lok

Vince Netz Treasurer, Towerside Business Alliance

Karl Reichert Executive Director, The Textile Center

Sam Rockwell Executive Director, Move Minnesota

Eric Weiss Program Director, The Trust for Public Land


Towerside Energy District

October 01, 2021 by towersideadmin

The vision of Towerside Innovation District always included innovation in energy use; sustainability, energy independence, and without the use of fossil fuels. That groundbreaking sustainability project moved a significant step forward on September 24, 2021 when the Minneapolis City Council approved a loan for the construction of an aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) system. Read More

Chroma Zone Mural Festival

September 27, 2021 by towersideadmin

It started as an idea, to install large outdoor murals on the vast walls of a gritty industrial area of Saint Paul. That idea became reality through a founding partnership with the Creative Enterprise Zone (CEZ), a city recognized district and nonprofit organization dedicated to attracting and supporting creative people and businesses. Read More

MWMO Towerside District Storm Water System

September 01, 2021 by towersideadmin

The District Stormwater System at Towerside, captures, treats, and reuses stormwater runoff draining from a roughly two-block area next to the Prospect Park light rail station, near the University of Minnesota. In addition to keeping pollutants out of the nearby Mississippi River, the system creates opportunities for reusing captured stormwater for purposes like irrigation and industrial use. Read More

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