Updates

  • August 05, 2026

    A little technological update for our stormwater storage basin!

    For those of you who don’t know, we have a massive cistern beneath Bridal Veil Gardens that captures and filters stormwater to be used by the surrounding properties and for plant watering along 4th street.

    Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO), our partner organization, is responsible for making this project happen. They recently installed new monitoring equipment to track volume and usage, as detailed in this video.

    Take a walk on down to Bridal Veil and check out the rain garden and read more about the storage basin on the large circular sign at the southeast corner of the park.

    MWMO Installation

  • August 03, 2026

    Community planting workshops, hosted by our contracted partner in Green 4th Street maintenance, Spark-Y, are happening later this summer! 

    Spark-Y will be hosting four planting workshops for the community and youth in August and September. The community workshops will be August 25 and September 15, and the youth workshops will be September 22 and September 29. Alternate rain dates will be shared later if necessary. Save these dates and come on out!

    Our other contracted partner for the area of 4th Street east of 29th Ave, MetroBlooms, will be doing their updated planting around the same time. Be on the lookout for them as well!

  • July 14, 2026

    This community-created watercolor illustrates the historic natural features of the Bridal Veil subwatershed which drains into the Mississippi River. Created during the Earth Week Water Party held at Malcolm Yards in April 2025, the artwork illuminates the waterways that shaped this landscape before they disappeared underground because of urban development.

    Community participants worked with Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) Artist in Residence Sarah Nassif to watercolor features she identified through historical research, including Kasota Wetlands, Bridal Veil Creek and Falls, and the lake that once occupied the area now known as Langford Park. Today, water flows through a built environment of streets, stormwater pipes, and the innovative storm sewer infrastructure Towerside is known for. By painting its historic contours and waterways, participants explored how water continues to connect neighborhoods, ecosystems, and communities.

  • July 09, 2026

    Thank you to all who came out for our annual meeting! You can find the slideshow detailing what was discussed, including project updates and community survey statistics, at the link below.

    Annual Meeting Slide Deck - 07/09/2026 

  • June 17, 2026

    Come to the 2026 Towerside Innovation District Annual Meeting!


    When: Thursday, July 9th from 8:00-9:30am


    Where: 3rd Floor Conference Room of the Court Building, 2550 University Ave W, Saint Paul 55114


    Free breakfast included!


    Agenda will be sent out to guests who RSVP prior to the meeting. Send RSVPs to staff@towersidemsp.org

  • June 10, 2026

    Kim Havey named Executive Director 

    We’re thrilled to welcome Kim W. Havey (he/him/his) as the new Executive Director of Towerside Innovation District. Kim brings more than 20 years of experience in sustainability, renewable energy, climate policy, and equitable urban development, and we are excited to celebrate the leadership, vision, and dedication he brings to Towerside as we look ahead to an inspiring new chapter.

  • April 26, 2024

    Towerside adopted an Equity Framework that will serve as the foundation for delivering diversity, equity, and inclusion outcomes within the organization, through our work, and as an influencer among our partners and peers.

  • December 16, 2021

    UMN Masters of Urban and Regional Planning students held a community exhibit today to showcase 10 land use planning projects focused on reconsidering the notion of an innovation district.

  • September 30, 2020

    Green 4th Street Enhancements Completed

  • June 30, 2020

    Metropolitan Council awards $100,000 grant for District Stormwater Phase II

Blog

Bridal Veil Watershed by Sarah Nassif - MWMO Resident Artist Donated Painting

July 14, 2026

This community-created watercolor illustrates the historic natural features of the Bridal Veil subwatershed which drains into the Mississippi River. Created during the Earth Week Water Party held at Malcolm Yards in April 2025, the artwork illuminates the waterways that shaped this landscape before they disappeared underground because of urban development.

Community participants worked with Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) Artist in Residence Sarah Nassif to watercolor features she identified through historical research, including Kasota Wetlands, Bridal Veil Creek and Falls, and the lake that once occupied the area now known as Langford Park. Today, water flows through a built environment of streets, stormwater pipes, and the innovative storm sewer infrastructure Towerside is known for. By painting its historic contours and waterways, participants explored how water continues to connect neighborhoods, ecosystems, and communities.