Park sought to tame Minneapolis' urban jungle

United Health CEO William McGuire wants to build a $5 million park just east of the new Guthrie Theater.

Rochelle Olson, Star Tribune

United Health Corp. CEO Dr. William McGuire is offering to build a $5 million park just east of the new riverfront Guthrie Theater as part of a personal effort to preserve a leafy urban reputation.

When McGuire and Council Member Lisa Goodman looked at a map Wednesday of properties surrounding the new Jean Nouvel-designed Guthrie, McGuire said, "There's too many buildings, too many buildings."

McGuire's proposed 7.5-acre park would feature tall shade trees, winding paths and a mound as tall as the Guthrie's first floor, offering views of the river and the city skyline.

Late last year, the city requested proposals for the lone undeveloped parcel on the central Mississippi Riverfront just southeast of downtown. Proposals were due late Thursday.

Although all the proposals have yet to be reviewed, McGuire's plan was already getting the most attention.

"Great cities have open space, and great cities have parks," McGuire said in an interview at the office of Tom Oslund, the landscape architect who designed the proposed park.

Unlike many cities -- Chicago, New York, Paris, Vancouver -- Minneapolis doesn't have a landmark downtown park. McGuire, who says he has a vision for "everything," saw an opportunity with the riverfront parcel.

A General Mills grain elevator and railroad tracks once stood on the property. It's now a surface parking lot.

McGuire began talking to Oslund years ago about an amphitheater on the site, but then the Guthrie -- to which McGuire donated $10 million -- went up, and housing proposals began pouring into the city for neighboring parcels.

"Left to its own devices, it will be occupied by buildings, and that will be a shame," McGuire said of the park property.

Minneapolis has long been known for its public park system and the boast that every resident is within six blocks of a park. But in recent years, the city's Park and Recreation Board has been known for divisions rather than leadership on green space management.

"There is a history in Minneapolis of having these spaces, and I think this vision's been a little bit lost, to be polite," McGuire said.

Goodman, who lives and represents downtown, saw drafts of the park plan for the first time this week. "I like the fact that it's a passive park. It's truly a green space ... contemplative green space," she said, adding that that has been "sorely missing" as more housing came to downtown.

Unlike other proposals for the site, McGuire's includes acreage owned by the Guthrie. He's also promising swift action with a potential opening as early as fall.

McGuire's proposal envisions leasing the land from the city for 10 years for $500,000. He would plant approximately 325 mature trees, including about 100 lindens along 2nd Street S. McGuire would take care of maintenance -- probably through an endowed organization -- including irrigation, garbage collection, snow clearing on pathways and electricity.

"We don't want the Park Board to be distracted from its other important endeavors," he said.

McGuire worked with Oslund on the site and knew he didn't want a big plaza. "We don't need more concrete," McGuire said.

Mayor R.T. Rybak, who was briefed on the plan Wednesday, was intrigued but remained uncommitted until all proposals could be reviewed. "This is an extremely exciting proposal, especially because the vision is tied to Washington Avenue and making our larger plans for the entire district even greater. Great cities do great things, and Dr. McGuire's generosity and vision may make it possible to do something spectacular," Rybak said.

A panel will review the proposals and forward recommendations to the council's Community Development Committee, chaired by Goodman.

The announcement of the proposal comes a week after McGuire sold about 6 percent of his stock and options, or 2.3 million shares, for about $59 a share for a sale worth $135.7 million. He said at the time that the money would be used to support charitable and philanthropic giving through the William W. and Nadine M. McGuire Family Foundation.

When asked to explain the connection between his compensation and his charitable contributions, McGuire said that would be "a very different debate" and declined further comment on the issue.

McGuire, who lives in Wayzata and works in Minnetonka, has no qualms about investing in the urban core. "I don't differentiate the western suburbs from the city. ... The city itself needs to be the vibrant center of the area," he said.

Goodman projected a warm reception for the park. "I think of it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do what government does best, which is work with the private sector to create public amenities," she said.

Rochelle Olson - 612-673-1747

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