You are invited to our March monthly section meeting, partnered with the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME)! This month's topic is "The History and Future of the Twin Cities Locks/Dams via the USACE Disposition Study", presented by Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) and Owamniyomni Okhodayapi (OO).

Abstract:

The St. Paul District of the US Army Corps of Engineers is currently studying the disposition of the three locks and dams located within the city of Minneapolis. The purpose of these disposition studies is to determine whether there is federal interest in continuing to own and operate the locks and dams. If there is no longer a federal interest, the Corps of Engineers is then directed to identify a viable disposal alternative, meaning the locks and dams would be transferred out of federal ownership to a local, state or federal agency. This talk will look at the history of the Mississippi River within the Twin Cities and the future planning efforts associated with the current disposition study. 

Details:

This event will be held at Gabe's Bar and Kitchen on March 21st, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Registration will be $25 per person, which provides lunch (GF on request). This presentation will count as 1.0 PDH and certificates will be emailed after the event.

Speakers:

Colleen O’Conner Toberman (Land Use and Planning Program Director, FMR)

• Colleen brings her experience in community engagement, policy and advocacy, program management and equitable development to FMR's Land Use & Planning program. Prior to FMR, her most recent role was with the Blue Line Coalition and Center for Economic Inclusion where she focused on equitable development policy and collaboration with local government partners. Colleen's past work has included policy, advocacy, and community engagement around urban development, housing and transportation issues.
  Colleen recently sat on the City of Minneapolis Advisory Committee on Housing and is the former board president of the Northeast Investment Cooperative. She holds a bachelor's in sociology from the University of St. Thomas.

Barry Hand (Program Director, OO)

• Barry Hand is responsible for bringing the concept of cultural restoration at Owamni to life through the development of programs and partnerships that fulfill OO's mission and its commitment to the Tribes. Barry has been working for the Twin Cities American Indian community for most of his adult life. He has developed and managed programs for Ain Dah Yung Center and the American Indian Family Center and taught Lakota/Dakota language at Harding Sr. High School, Bdote Learning Center, North Hennepin Community College and the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Most recently he served as the Language and Cultural Coordinator for Prairie Island Indian Community (PIIC) where he taught Dakota Language at Red Wing High School and developed language and cultural programs for PIIC's community members. Barry possesses deep knowledge of Dakota culture, history, and language, which are at the heart of OO's mission and vision for the future of the Riverfront.

Kjersti Duval (Project Advisor, OO)

• Kjersti manages project work flows including the conveyance process and professional services necessary to affect the transformative restoration of the Central Riverfront through design and construction. She supports OO's coordination of these activities with the Dakota Nations, the City, the Park Board, and the USACE. Kjersti is CEO of Duval Companies and founder of Studio Civic | Duval, a practice line within Duval supporting the unique design, development management, and engagement needs of public interest projects and public-private partnerships. With executive experience implementing transformative urban projects in both private sector and public sector contexts, she has developed an informed perspective on how consequential places come to be. Kjersti is an affiliate of the Minnesota Design Center (University of Minnesota College of Design), and a contributing resource professional for the Mayor’s Institute on City Design. She also serves as a Park Commissioner in her hometown of Orono, Minnesota, where she lives with her husband and two children. You can learn more and connect with her here.