If you think
Mississippi River towns are each unique,
you're right in many respects. But many
Mississippi River towns now share something
in common: their love of the River. This has
resulted in extensive efforts to redesign
riverfronts from New Orleans to Memphis, and
from Dubuque to Minneapolis.
All along the River, development
corporations and municipalities are working
to build access, entertainment and
appreciation into their Mississippi River
waterfronts. Their success goes beyond
aesthetics and economic development.
Riverfront developments up and down the
Mississippi River have helped communities
come together, imagine the future and
redefine the way they feel about themselves
and their community.
For those cities like Dubuque and New
Orleans who've been working on their
communities' interaction with the
Mississippi for some time, the value of
cleaning up their riverfronts and increasing
access is already evident. For communities
like Memphis and St. Paul, improving their
riverfronts has become a community-building
process, involving citizens in planning,
proposals and financial support. The net
result is a refocus and new energy in cities
and towns all along America's Waterway.
Memphis' Mud Island River Park is
currently collecting residents' ideas on
line for its redesign. Surveys and postings
of new plans are recording public comment
and the whole community is involved in
planning new ways to increase access to the
River while improving recreation and healthy
living options in the city.
 Dubuque is perhaps the crown jewel in the Mississippi River redevelopment
effort. Years ago, the city, chamber of
commerce, historical society, state of Iowa
and a number of private interests decided to
hitch the community's future to the
Mississippi River. It's paid off with
museums, resorts, casinos, shops and
restaurants - and oh, yes, millions of
dollars in tourism and jobs. Perhaps more
importantly, Dubuque citizens exude a sense
of energy and possibility from the work
they've done together and from recognizing
they all share something in common - the
Mississippi River.
New
Orleans - holding the distinction of
the city most associated with the
Mississippi River - has long tied its common
culture to the river. Perhaps their history
of multiple cultures and languages
contributed to their early recognition that
the Mississippi was their common bond. The Riverwalk Marketplace, a single
facility featuring retail and restaurants,
southern cooking and jazz, is a monument to
the connection between the city and the
river, as well as a Mecca for tourist and
community members alike.
There are many more riverfront developments
on the Mississippi River today. From small
towns to major urban centers, there's an
awakening to the value of water in people's
lives. This recognition takes many forms,
but for River communities, riverfront
development represents a way to recapture
both their history and their future at the
same time. In so doing, they link themselves
not only to the River, but to each other as
well.
 And
Speaking of Waterfront Developments….
The National
Park Service announced plans this
month to reorient its 91-acre Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Park to emphasize the links between downtown St.
Louis, the Gateway Arch and the Mississippi
riverfront. The plan is the result of 11
public meetings of nearly 1,000 people who
wanted better access to the park. This is
yet another indication of communities'
recognition of the value of riverfront
development. The Park Service must wait 30
days before taking final action on the plan. |
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