The Water Works Mezzanine Phase project is a major milestone in the RiverFirst Initiative, which is revitalizing the Mississippi riverfront from downtown Minneapolis to the city’s northern edge. Designed to reconnect the community with the river, the project transformed a long‑neglected industrial site into a vibrant public space that links the downtown area to the historic riverfront. Construction began with an extensive archaeological investigation in 2017, followed by deconstruction and stabilization of the former Fuji Ya building in 2018. Park and pavilion construction started in 2019, and the new amenities opened to the public in the summer of 2021.
Work on the site presented significant challenges, including decades of accumulated debris, dense overgrowth that concealed historic structures, and deteriorated building areas that were unsafe to enter. Throughout the process, materials such as buried concrete, rebar, and railroad ties were removed, screened, and repurposed on site. The completed project features terraced green spaces, outdoor dining areas, social seating, gas firepits, and an event lawn overlooking St. Anthony Falls. Water Works now stands as a key recreational destination and a signature addition to the evolving Minneapolis riverfront.
Water Works Mezzanine Phase
Address: 425 West River Parkway, Minneapolis
Project cost: $25 million (entire project)
Project size: 7,800 square feet
Owner: Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
Contractor: H+U Construction
Architect: HGA; Damon Farber Landscape Architects (landscape)
Engineer: Barr Engineering; Kimley-Horn (Civil); HGA (Electrical)
Finance & Commerce subscribers can view the full article, written by Dan Heilman, by clicking here.
https://finance-commerce.com/2022/07/top-projects-of-2021-water-works-mezzanine-phase/