Nicollet Island /East Bank Neighborhood
Nicollet Island/East Bank is a neighborhood in Minneapolis, Minnesota, situated just across the Mississippi River from Downtown, one of six in the University community. It comprises Nicollet Island and the portion of the eastern riverbank located between Central Avenue and the BNSF Railway line. The “East Bank” portion of the neighborhood is commonly referred to as a part of Northeast or Old St. Anthony, as this area was the location of the town of St. Anthony, which was annexed by Minneapolis in 1872.
East Hennepin Avenue runs through the middle of the neighborhood, which means it is situated in parts of both Northeast and Southeast Minneapolis. The neighborhood is bounded by Central Avenue, 2nd Avenue NE, and the river. Due to its proximity to Downtown, the area has seen a wave of gentrification in recent years; with shopping complexes and upscale condominiums built in the area.
On the banks of the Mississippi River across from downtown Minneapolis, the Nicollet Island-East Bank neighborhood is a crossroads linking Downtown, the University of Minnesota, and the Northeast Arts District. It is in the midst of capturing significant growth during the current wave of development in the City.
The neighborhood has two parts: Nicollet Island, part of the St. Anthony Falls Heritage District, on the Mississippi River just east of downtown and a portion of the East Bank of the Mississippi River located between Central Avenue and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad line.
Originally called St. Anthony, the area was recognized by the Minnesota Territorial Legislature as a Town in 1855. Today, the neighborhood is the smallest and one of the oldest in Minneapolis [along with Marcy-Holmes and St. Anthony East, which were also parts of the original town of St. Anthony]. Nicollet Island is the only residential island in the Mississippi River.
It is a neighborhood of contrasts. Nicollet Island provides the setting for 19th Century homes near the River’s edge and for Nicollet Island Park with its commanding views of the river, Downtown and the Stone Arch Bridge. The East Bank – with its eclectic mix of low-rise historic storefronts and modern residential high-rises – reminds visitors of both the East Bank’s early days as the City’s first commercial district and then its first re-birth with major industrial compounds.
Nicollet Island-East Bank includes one of the most heavily used park districts in the Metropolitan Area: The Mississippi Riverfront. This Plan preserves and protects the parks while building better, more attractive connections among the neighborhood’s parks, commercial districts, and residential areas.
Today, the East Bank is once again on the cusp of significant change. Increasingly, unique shops and restaurants are opening in this now-trendy neighborhood, while the last of the remaining industrial sites have closed. Major “opportunity sites” are in or open for redevelopment and will become home to scores of additional businesses and at least hundreds of new residents.
NIEBNA’s Small Area Plan (SAP) directs that the neighborhood of the future will have safe and bustling streets and sidewalks where people can be found walking at all hours of the day and night. In a compact neighborhood teeming with people, tall buildings will comfortably face shorter neighbors; and no two buildings will look exactly alike. The community will be transit-oriented and people-friendly. It will include the full spectrum of housing, business, and other options that will attract and support residents and visitors from across the region and beyond.
The Nicollet Island-East Bank Neighborhood Association invites the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, and the Metropolitan Council to join it in this journey, pursuing an even brighter future for this already vibrant neighborhood.
Rich in history, the Nicollet Island East Bank area was first inhabited by Dakota, Ojibwe, and other native peoples. The neighborhood was platted in 1849 and joined the City of Minneapolis in 1872.
This area is to a thriving community, breathtaking river views, trails, restaurants, shopping, and much more!
Our growing neighborhood association advocates for a welcoming environment for all to live, work, and play in the heart of the city.
The ultimate goal of Nicollet Island – East Bank Neighborhood Association (NIEBNA) 501c(3), is to pay attention to what is happening in and around the neighborhood, both specific events and longer-term trends, so that we can take prompt action to remedy problems, and so that we can take proactive actions to improve the quality of life in the Nicollet Island East Bank neighborhood.
We believe an engaged community is the cornerstone of any great neighborhood.
References:
“Nicollet Island/East Bank, Minneapolis” │ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicollet_Island/East_Bank,_Minneapolis
“Nicollet Island /East Bank Neighborhood” │ https://www.niebna.org/