The Road to Prosperity: Engaging Ramsey for a Better Highway 10

Report and poster completed by students enrolled in PA 5253: Planning and Participation Processes, taught by Dan Milz in fall 2017.This project was completed as part of the 2017-2018 Resilient Communities Project (rcp.umn.edu) partnership with the City of Ramsey. Ramsey is bisected by U.S. Highway 10, which is slated for significant upgrades in the next 20 years to convert the corridor to a limited-access highway. However, the uncertain timing of future Highway 10 improvements makes it difficult for landowners along the corridor to invest in or sell their property. The City wanted to clarify the future vision for the corridor and the timing of planned improvements, and sought assistance designing an outreach and engagement process to connect with stakeholders affected by the plan and future improvements. Students in Dr. Dan Milz’s Planning and Participation Processes class identified strategies to productively engage with the main groups of stakeholders concerned about the future of Highway 10: business owners, residents, and commuters. A final report and poster are available.This project was supported by the Resilient Communities Project (RCP), a program at the University of Minnesota whose mission is to connect communities in Minnesota with U of MN faculty and students to advance community resilience through collaborative, course-based projects. RCP is a program of the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA). More information at http://www.rcp.umn.edu

Thief River Falls: New Vision for Downtown, Community Masterplan

The Thief River Falls Downtown Development Association was formed in 2015 for the purpose of revitalizing the downtown community to support current businesses and to encourage new business development. The “New Vision for Downtown Thief River Falls” project developed a master plan of the downtown with the goal of creating a unified, welcoming environment. Recommendations include pedestrian-friendly street crossings, greenery, updating storefronts, purchasing new light poles and signage.Northwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership (RSDP), Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) Community Assistantship Program, College of Design Center for Sustainable Building Research (CSBR), Northwest Minnesota Foundation, Thief River Falls Chamber of Commerce, Thief River Falls Chamber of Commerce Downtown Development Association

National Loon Center Masterplan

The National Loon Center (NLC) is a community-driven project led by the National Loon Center Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization, and its many partners in Crosslake and the Whitefish Chain of Lakes area. The project focuses on loons and their unique relationship with the shared freshwater ecosystem in the area, fish and wildlife management, environmental stewardship, trails, tourism, recreation, education, and long-term sustainability. This report and masterplan is the result of a research and community participatory design process conducted from August to January 2017.University of Minnesota College of Design Center for Sustainable Building Research (CSBR), University of Minnesota Extension Central Regional Sustainable Development Partnership (Central RSDP), National Loon Center Foundation, Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerc

Land Preservation and Open Space

Land preservation including history, acquisition, funding, use, benefits and disadvantages, and different organizations working with different types of sitesSpring 201