A major decision is on the horizon for North Minneapolis. On Tuesday, the Minneapolis City Council’s Business, Housing and Zoning Committee will consider 16 key items tied to the redevelopment of the Upper Harbor Terminal—including a proposed 8,000-seat riverfront amphitheater.
The Community Performing Arts Center at Upper Harbor would be operated by a powerful partnership: First Avenue, the African American Community Development Corporation, and the Minnesota Orchestra. This public-private collaboration aims to deliver not just entertainment, but long-term economic and cultural benefits for the Northside and beyond.
Located on a 53-acre former shipping terminal along the Mississippi River, the project has been in the works since the city approved a concept plan in 2019. If approved, the site will feature a 20-acre regional park, small business spaces, housing, and a health and wellness hub—all designed with community input and equity in mind.
The city is also poised to authorize a $12.5 million state grant to help bring the amphitheater and surrounding infrastructure to life.
A public hearing will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, allowing Minneapolis residents to voice support, concerns, and questions about this “once-in-a-generation” project.
Would you attend a concert on the Northside riverfront? What artists would you love to see perform here? Let’s start the conversation—drop a comment below!
