Via an October 10 News Release:
Mark Andrew, former Hennepin County Commissioner and chair of the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners, has been named president of Friends of the Lock & Dam (FL&D). The nonprofit’s mission is to create a destination visitor and interpretive center at the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock, called The Falls Initiative, at the heart of the Central Riverfront in downtown Minneapolis.
In this newly created position, Andrew will forge a coalition of support for the riverfront revitalization among key decision makers in government, business and the private sector.
To advance project development, Andrew will draw on his 20 years of leadership experience as a Hennepin County Commissioner. He has played an integral role in bringing several signature riverfront projects to completion, including the Stone Arch Bridge and the Hennepin Avenue Bridge, and led the effort to create the Midtown Greenway. Previously, Andrew led GreenMark Enterprises, an environmentally-focused marketing and public affairs consultancy.
“The Falls Initiative is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to realize an exceptional and defining city project that will have international significance,” said Andrew. “We want to reconnect this storied river with all the people who come to live, learn and visit by its banks.”
Kjersti Monson, director of The Falls Initiative, will continue to manage project planning, design and implementation as she works with key partners, authorities and stakeholders to shape the vision. Monson is a former director of planning for the City of Minneapolis and an expert in real estate, urban design, and policy and planning.
“Securing Mark’s leadership is a milestone for this project and for FL&D,” said Monson. “He understands what it takes to drive transformational change and knows how to bring stakeholders along on the journey.”
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