 |
|
|
| Home
< Design & Planning
< Current Projects
| | |
Improvements planned for Boom Island and B.F. Nelson
The Park Board is developing B.F. Nelson Park in conjunction with the renovation of the neighboring Boom Island Park. Located on the east side of the Mississippi River, B.F. Nelson Park lies along Marshall Street between 3rd and 6th Avenues NE. Continuing along the river, Boom Island Park lies directly north of BF Nelson Park, ending at the Plymouth Avenue Bridge / 8th Ave NE. Along with the newly acquired Scherer Bros property, just to the north of Boom Island, these parks are ideally situated to be an extraordinary regional attraction.
Public Impact / Projected Timeline
Updates
News Releases
Public Participation
Reports and Maps
Project History
Park History
Contacts
Public Impact / Projected Timeline
Boom Island
Now that all the earth moving has rearranged the landscape at Boom Island, the new open lawn area is ready to be seeded in spring: turf will then require the summer to become established. To ensure the establishment of a healthy lawn, park visitors will be asked to stay off the grass a good part of the summer; signs will be posted.
Park Board crews will be working in the spring to repair sections of the plaza walk and walls. Thoroughfare through the plaza area will be maintained as much as possible. Users are asked to honor fences and barriers put in place for protection of the public.
The shelters will also remain open but, if interested in reserving a shelter, it is recommended that park users call the Park Board directly ahead of time and inquire about the current site conditions so as to avoid any surprises or misunderstandings.
Late spring will also see some improvements coming to the north parking lot. Most of the pavement will be re-surfaced in order to repair and extend its lifespan.
BF Nelson
The majority of the work has been completed in BF Nelson Park. Some landscaping will occur this spring near the Pioneers Monument, and disturbed areas will be seeded. Other than the newly seeded areas, which should be avoided, the park will be open and accessible throughout 2012.
Back to top
Updates
February, 2012
Since construction began last May at Boom Island Park, a significant regarding effort was undertaken, and much of the poor and contaminated soil has been removed. New soil was brought in to provide a better growing environment for trees and turf, and graded to improve views and create a stronger visual connection between the park and the river. New trails have been added to improve circulation throughout the park.
The boat launch at the marina was repaired in fall 2011. Many of the original concrete ramp slabs had either cracked or settled. These concrete slabs were removed and replaced, being set upon a stronger, more stable, rock bed foundation. This will allow for a much more stable and secure means for river users to launch their boats.
The Pioneers Monument plaza has been completed at BF Nelson Park, as well as the small parking lot near the plaza, trail construction and lighting. Yet to be done this spring are minor adjustments to the irrigation system, landscaping in the area near the Pioneers Monument, and seeding of disturbed areas in the park.
May, 2011
Construction began during the week of May 9 with earthwork operations at Boom Island Park. This work consists of removing soil, including some contaminated soils, to improve views and better connect the park to the river. New soil will be added to the central portion of the park to enhance river views and provide a better growing environment for trees and turf. Modifications to the promenade and adjacent walls along the river will create a more unified park.
Additional improvements at Boom Island Park include marina repairs, dredging of the river to create better access to the marina, and trail enhancements. Improvements at BF Nelson Park will focus on the completion of a plaza at the Pioneers Monument, along with the addition of a small parking lot near the plaza, and trail construction and lighting. A component of the trail construction will include the widening, then striping, of Marshall St to accommodate bike lanes between 3rd and 6th Aves NE
September, 2010
- Pioneers Monument
B.F. Nelson is soon the new home of the Pioneers Monument. Formerly located at the corner of 5th Ave NE and Marshall St., the statue honors the courage and hard work of early settlers to the area. Fist unveiled in 1936 at Gateway Park, the statue has been moved twice. The St. Anthony West Neighborhood Organization raised $25,000, and City of Minneapolis Art and Public Places program contributed $50,000 to restore the monument and have it placed in the new park. Installation of the monument in B.F. Nelson Park is expected to be complete by the end of September.
Sign up to receive Planning Project email updates.
Back to top
News Releases
Back to top
Public Participation
A Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) met with park staff and design consultants from December ’09 to March ’10 to discuss the future of these two parks and to collaborate on plan development. Two public hearings, one in May and one in June, were held on plans for the parks; a public information meeting was held May 25.
Back to top
Reports and Maps
- Current Plan – April , 2011
- Updated plan – May 24, 2010
- Plan 4A – April 30, 2010
- CAC-approved amendments to Plan 4A – May, 2010
- Board presentation – May 5, 2010
- Board Agendas and Minutes
- March 16, 2011 – Award bid for BF Nelson / Boom Island Improvements
- September 15, 2010 – Retain URS for BF Nelson and Boom Island Improvements
- August 4, 2010 – Amending scope of URS professional services agreement
- July 21, 2010 – Authorizing implementation of phased development
- July 7, 2010 – Authorizing implementation of phased development
- June 2, 2010 – Public Hearing
- May 5, 2010 – Public Hearing
- April 21, 2010 – Study Report: CAC Redevelopment Plan
- March 17, 2010 – Increase to Professional Services Contract with URS
- August 19, 2009 – Appointing a CAC (Page 1, Item 4.1)
- December 17, 2008 – Increase to Professional Services Contract with URS Regular Meeting Agenda (Page 2, Item 2.2)
- September 3, 2008 – Bid award for shoreline work, Meyer Contracting, Inc.
- August 20, 2008 – Final payment approval, consultant contract 23005
- December 5, 2007 – $775,000 MWMO Grant Agreement Approval
- November 28, 2007 – Final Payment Approval Contract 23309
- May 17, 2006 – Bid award for site improvements, Meyer Contracting, Inc.
- March 15, 2006 – Consulting services for environmental remediation
- March 16, 2005 – Hennepin County ERF Grant Application Authorization
- October 6, 2004 - EPA Grant Application Authorization
Back to top
Project History
The MPRB acquired the BF Nelson property over 20 years ago as part of a long-range plan to develop parkland along the Mississippi river in the Central Minneapolis Riverfront area. A master plan was developed with the aid of a Citizen Advisory Committee and approved by the MPRB in 1993. The plan was reaffirmed in 1998 and 2007 after the board sought additional input from the community. Lack of funding has delayed development of the property.
Negligible soil contamination from prior use was remediated in 2006. Funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, Hennepin County, and the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board, this included an addition of two feet of new soil across the property.
The initial phase of site development at B.F. Nelson Park, recently completed, includes riverbank stabilization, earthwork and grading, construction of stormwater retention ponds, and landscaping and seeding.
The land for Boom Island was acquired by the MPRB in 1982. Once an island, named for the booms that separated logs floating down the river, fill consisting of demolition and construction debris bridged the gap between the island and the riverbank. The park was designed by the late Ted Wirth, grandson of former park superintendent Theodore Wirth and completed in 1988.
The B.F. Nelson property was acquired in 1987, after development of Boom Island was well underway. As funding has now been secured for both the renovation of Boom Island and the continued development of B. F. Nelson, the MPRB determined that it makes sense to look at the two parks together.
- Funding
A grant from the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) in the amount of $775,000 has funded initial improvements. In addition, the MPRB has received to date $1,037,000 in Parks and Trails Legacy funds and $1,000,000 in Metropolitan Council bonds for the renovation of Boom Island and the development of B.F. Nelson parks.
Back to top
Park History
Page 8 (BF Nelson) and page 17 (Boom Island)
Back to top
Contacts
For further information please contact Jon Duesman at (612) 230-6471or jduesman@minneapolisparks.org.
Back to top
|
|
|
