A Visionary Plan for an Urban Village in Minneapolis-Saint Paul

Brian Martucci calls it "the most cohesive, comprehensive and outside-the-box neighborhood development vision to be attempted anywhere in MSP in a generation." Dubbed the University Avenue Innovation District (alternately, the Prospect North Innovation District), the plan seeks to build on the advantageous features already in place in the area just southeast of the University of Minnesota: a convenient, multi-modal location with plenty of underdeveloped properties.

According to the Prospect North Partnership website, "The goal is to create a new, holistic way to develop and implement ongoing management of the centrally located but underused area at the intersection of Minneapolis and St. Paul."

With ULI MN serving as manager and advisor to the public-private partnership, the plan incrementally builds a fully integrated live-work community with district-wide management of infrastructure and resources. The plan focuses heavily on connectedness, resource efficiencies, and a set of guidelines for Healthy Living, including access to healthy food vendors, tobacco-free zones, and natural systems for cleaning stormwater.  

"Over time, the vibrant culture of innovation will attract business incubators, existing employers and deep-pocketed startup investors, creating the sort of virtuous cycle that’s currently on display in the North Loop and parts of Northeast Minneapolis," Martucci writes.