September 11, 2026

Yesterday's planting event was a smashing success!

With the power of collaboration from Xcel Energy, Freshwater and Metro Blooms as one of Xcel’s Day of Service volunteer events, we were able to give employees and volunteers a one-of-a-kind experience that involved not only the renovation of the Bridal Veil berm area, but an educational opportunity to learn about the history of our local watersheds from Mississippi Watershed Management Organization’s resident artist Sarah Nassif. This included a watercolor painting class with Sarah using natural indigo paint she made herself!

September 10, 2026

Our updated flyer for the community workshops with Spark-Y.

Scan the QR Code to sign up and for a chance to win a gift card to the Market at Malcolm Yards!

September 08, 2026

Another exciting Green 4th Street planting event is coming soon!

This will be a collaboration between Towerside, Xcel Energy, Freshwater, and Metro Blooms.

On Thursday, September 10, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., a group of volunteers from Xcel Energy, with support from Metro Blooms, will transform the former dog/berm area along Fourth Street in front of Bridal Veil Park. Six new trees and numerous pollinators will be planted.

Xcel employees will work alongside the aforementioned partners and local artist Sarah Nassif, MWMO’s Artist in Residence, to transform the area. Sarah will begin the morning with an interactive art experience that introduces volunteers to the historic Bridal Veil Creek watershed and helps connect their hands-on work to the larger story of water, habitat, and place.

This project will improve pollinator habitat, enhance the beauty and resilience of Bridal Veil Gardens, and support water stewardship near an innovative stormwater system.

August 25, 2026

More than an e-bike — it’s a logistics revolution.

Meet the Civilized Cycles Semi-Trike: a heavy-duty, bicycle-class electric logistics vehicle built for smarter urban delivery.

With up to 200 cubic feet of cargo space, an estimated 800 lb payload capacity, and a top speed of 15 mph, the Semi-Trike is designed to move more while taking up less space on city streets.
Come see one of the first Semi-Trikes in Minnesota at the State Fair Eco Experience. After the fair, keep an eye out for it traveling around the Towerside Innovation District.

Efficient. Electric. Built for the future of urban logistics.

August 17, 2026

The official flyer and sign-up form for our stormwater and native planting workshops with our partner organization, Spark-Y!

We are very fortunate to have this opportunity for the Towerside community. If you are able, we would love to see you out there! Sign yourself up or get someone young in your life to join us on one of these dates. This is an amazing way to gain education on the importance of green infrastructure and native plants.

Sign Up Here 

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