Upper Harbor Terminal Design Plan Minneapolis, MN Declan DeMille
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01. Site Introduction 02. Initial Findings 03. Guiding Principles 04. Renders (Sections and Axons) 05. Phasing and Further Progress
The Upper Harbor Terminal is a site of scaring industrial activity on the North Minneapolis riverfront. This proposal will establish a lost connection between the terminal, the urban landscape, and the natural process and life along the river. The design intervention promotes wildlife and landscape preservation, while providing a home for new residents. The new site will give them opportunities to engage and interact with the wild aspects of the riverfront. Exposing and recreating the natural beauty of the riverfront by revealing it to the residents of North Minneapolis.
02. Initial Findings- Site Location and Description The site is located in North Minneapolis, MN. The property sits right on the Mississippi River, and was once a hub for industrial activity. The Terminal was once used as a port to ship goods of various types down the river. The remnants of this once thriving industry liter the site towering over the surrounding buildings. The site has great potential to bring new opportunities to the north side of Minneapolis, while also taking a stance on how the riverfront is treated in the city. The overall site is connected to major interstates and has a metro transit stop nearby.
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dEcLan dEmiLLE a mappinG anaLYsis
Historically the land surrounding the Mississippi River was utilized as industrial space. Overtime, these spaces have been taken over as park spaces and residence. However, the riverfront has great potential to become a more accessible resource to the public and natural systems along the riverfront. Moving forward, using this site as a catalyst we can begin to transform the riverfront and restore the riverfront to it’s thriving natural state. In doing this, hopefully creating a more connected green space system.
paRK/GREEn spacE WatER GovERnmEnt/citY pRopERtY REsidEntiaL commERciaL
Site Map
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1-Conservatory 2-Park Office and Interpretative Center (Entrance) 3-Local Shop/Grocery 4-Local Restaurant 5-Residence multi-story 6-Children’s Museum/Indoor Park
03. Guiding Principles
Principle 01. Create Human Refuge Principle 02. Improve River Accessibility Principle 03. Restore Riverfront and Wildlife Population
Establish Human Refuge This aspect of the proposal is intended to provide more resources and opportunities to the North Minneapolis community. This will be accomplished through five main ideas...
Education
Consumption
Residence
Active Recreation
Passive Recreation
These moments of human refuge happen at various moments throughout the site following a gradient. Much of the north end will be dedicated wildlife refuge space. The center of the site will consist of various opportunities for education. Here park users can experience an interpretative center and conservatories located in the existing structure. Towards the south end of the site, as pictured below in section, most of the density is occurring. Housing, local shops, restaurants and grocery will occupy these spaces.
Improve River Accessibility This goal is accomplished by creating significant experiences and interactions between park user and the river. By nesting the river in the site, the river is brought closer to the residents of North side. In addition, A river platform walkway, elevated at the water surface, will bring residents to the river.
Restore Riverfront and Wildlife Population Restoration will be accomplished in three main ways... -Fully restore the riverfront and create wetlands to purify water and allow flooding -Establish awareness of the impact and significance of river ecology and preservation of species -Reduce development and work to integrate any new development into the landscape
04. Sections and Axons
South Side of Site
Enterance of Site (Center)
North Side of Site
05. Phasing and Further Development With the implementation of more uninterrupted natural vegetation along the riverfront a new opportunity arises. The goal of the project is to create a new example for how we treat the riverfront and how we can further connect this development with other park systems along the riverfront. The design plan for this specific site will revive the riverfront on north side while providing refuge for all. Phasing 01. Remove unwanted infrastructure and excess material 02. Fortify remaining structure for reuse 03. Begin dredging canals in site 04. Begin development along the south end and at the entrance of the site as well as the river platform 05. Clean up river front and regrade the existing banks 06. Plant restorative vegetation and open site for use