Element has served as the City's project manager for the Upper Harbor Terminal (UHT) redevelopment project for over two years, working to support the Collaborative Planning Committee in realizing its vision of creating equitable development that benefits North Minneapolis. Most of the innovative changes proposed in the coordinated plan, including retaining public ownership of the land, creating sustainable revenue streams that support North Minneapolis, and focusing benefits on current Northside residents, are the result of community input & leadership. Element played an integral part in developing and implementing a racial equity framework gathered from community engagement early in the planning process. By outlining commitments for each area and creating actionable items and deliverables, we created a structure for accountability as the project progressed and ensured goals were met.
Leading a public/private partnership, Element oversaw the exploration of a distinct stormwater system, relocation of power lines, community benefits agreement, term sheets, environmental review process, and detailed negotiations on financing. The project also included the development of a multi-year critical path schedule and budget that includes concurrent pre-development efforts for a 19 acre park, $200 M of office and housing projects, and $35 M in public infrastructure.
The coordinated plan was approved in October 2021 and city infrastructure work is anticipated to begin in 2022.
Upper Harbor Development Video