The City of Saint Paul is casting a wide net for a new team of design and engineering whizzes to take the reins on the Mississippi River Learning Center project. Officials want pros to submit proposals that will build upon the preliminary work already done, promising a state-of-the-art hub for environmental education and hands-on learning about the storied Mississippi River.
Slated for the sprawling over 600-acre Hidden Falls-Crosby Farm Regional Park, this center is designed to be a prime destination not just for local Saint Paul dwellers but also for folks from far-flung regions looking to dig deeper into the river's rich cultural and environmental heritage. Welcoming the pursuit of knowledge, Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter heralded this stage of the project as a pivotal moment, according to a press release, saying, "We are at an exciting point in this transformational project. I look forward to seeing our vision for the River Learning Center come to life, creating more opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience and connect with our greatest natural asset – the Mississippi River."
Tracing its genesis back to the 2013 Great River Passage master plan's vision, the River Learning Center has evolved through various stages of technical and feasibility studies, culminating in a conceptual design courtesy of a year's worth of public input and meticulous planning.
Toting a glowing endorsement from Katie Nyberg, executive director of the Great River Passage Conservancy, the project's significance is underscored. She was enthusiastic about moving forward with the upcoming design phase, telling the release, "This next phase of the River Learning Center is a critical one and will be built upon the invaluable feedback we gained from the community in 2022. I look forward to working with the awarded design team to bring us across the finish line and get ready to put shovels in the ground." State funding set the stage in 2023, allowing the project to advance into its next phases without financial hiccups.
The clock is ticking for design teams to throw their hats in the ring, with the deadline for proposals set for May 15, 2024. Saint Paul is gearing up for summer when the project is expected to blast off. For the skinny on the RFP and project details, interested parties should scurry over to the city's website.
