The Restorative Development Partnership is overseeing a city-wide feasibility study for a restorative development pilot project in Minneapolis. The study addresses how to optimize these restorative development goals:
- Improved economy, workforce development
- Improved climate, air/water quality
- Improved health, nutrition
- More efficient, resilient, lower-cost energy
- Improved quality of life (equity, safety, housing, natural spaces, community engagement)
- Infrastructure that is cost-effective and has a positive return-on-investment; stable financials
- New, innovative development opportunities
The Feasibility Study is being conducted by Orascom-Yorth-Ramboll Consulting Team led by Mina Wassef from Orascom and Bjorgvin Saevarsson from Yorth Group. The MWMO is the fiscal agent for the Feasibility Study, and planning principal Dan Kalmon is project manager.
The Feasibility Study is in two phases; only Phase 1 is funded to date:
- Phase 1 assesses the environmental, social, and economic equity of the current system, establishes benchmarks, and guides subsequent restorative development efforts
- Phase 2 is based on results from Phase 1, and designs the core elements of a restorative ecosystem that includes an integrated utility hub and governance structure
Through 2021, the Partnership is overseeing Phase 1 of the Feasibility Study, identifying and raising funds for Phase 2, and building out the Partnership’s structure and processes to optimize its ability to lead restorative development work in the future.
Results of the Feasibility Study will provide the Partnership with information needed to advance to Phase 2, which can begin as soon as sufficient funds are raised. This will allow the Partnership to make decisions on financing, governance, proposed restorative development lines of production; technical performance outputs; community services and benefits; integration of development with surrounding natural systems; and integration of development with the city’s existing infrastructure.