Mississippi Crossings Redevelopment Plans

• The 60-acre Mississippi Crossings straddles Highway 169 and lies along the banks of the Mississippi River south of the Anoka-Champlin bridge. The area sits at the north end of the six-mile Mississippi River recreational pool.
• In the mid-1800’s, the Crossings was a landing area for migrating steamboats, and was home to the Anoka-Champlin ferry service. In the 1900’s, the area blossomed into a vibrant central business district surrounded by growing neighborhoods. More recently, the Crossings has consisted of obsolete commercial structures, dilapidated apartment buildings and vacant lots. Since 1980, the area has experienced little re-investment and a declining tax base while city services have grown.
• In 1999, a 26-member citizen task force recommended the City rejuvenate the Mississippi riverfront and old business district. Since, the City has identified a redevelopment vision articulated through a community planning process charged with shaping the area’s future. Besides the historic, cultural and geographical significances, the site offers panoramic views of the Twin Cities region.
• Based on the redevelopment plan, the City acquired key properties in the area. Many of these properties were purchased during a soft real estate market at assessed market values. Eminent domain was not used in the acquisition of properties.
• The Mississippi Crossings redevelopment plan and proposed transportation improvements guide the development for 450 new rooftops, 185,000 square feet of new commercial space while expanding open space along the riverfront.
• The City plans to act as the project’s master developer. In this role, the City will establish the overall development plan, prepare and market the development sites and coordinate the overall development vision.
• With the redevelopment plan, the City has identified a lead project that includes a two-story restaurant/event center, a village green with river dockage, a market rate apartment community and a 304-stall parking garage with a 48,000 square foot liner building. 
• The Redevelopment plan recommends $10.4 million in roadway Improvements including $5.75 million in Trunk Highway 169 improvements that would improve roadway safety, congestion and access.  The City is seeking federal funding for this work.
  

For more information on the Mississippi Crossings, contact John Cox, Deputy City Administrator at (763) 923-7104 or jcox@ci.champlin.mn.us.