The Columbia Heights City Council on March 23 approved sending a comprehensive plan amendment for the former Rainbow Foods site to the Met Council, advancing plans to redevelop the property as a transit-oriented development. The vote was 4-0, with Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula absent because of illness. City Planner Ursula Brandt said the item had been reviewed by the Planning Commission at its previous meeting. The 13-acre site, on Central Avenue between 43rd and 44th avenues, is currently designated in the city’s comprehensive plan for commercial use, with part of the property set aside as park space for stormwater. The proposed amendment would redesignate the site for transit-oriented development, Brandt said. ...

Fridley said March 27 that a contaminant had been found in the Mississippi River in coordination with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. According to the release, the city’s Public Works Department was notified at 11 a.m. March 26 by Minneapolis Water Works of a possible contaminant. Public works and public safety staff then verified that a storm sewer had discharged into the river upstream from Minneapolis Water Works. Public safety coordinated with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and its contractor to deploy temporary floating barriers used to contain marine spills and protect water intakes, the release said. The North Metro Chemical Assessment Team was also called in to collect samples of the contaminant. ...

WColumbia Heights Council Member Rachel James attends the No Kings rally in Columbia Heights on March 28. Original Article

Kids chalk the sidewalk during a No Kings rally in Columbia Heights on March 28. Original Article

Central Avenue streetlights are pictured above signs at the No Kings rally in Columbia Heights. Original Article

A unicorn looks on at the No Kings rally in Columbia Heights on March 28. Original Article

Protesters at the No Kings rally in Columbia Heights on March 28 wave flags on top of a bridge. Original Article

Residents ascended this bridge at the Columbia Heights No Kings rally on March 28. Original Article

From atop the 47th Ave pedestrian bridge, Columbia Heights demonstraters in waved flags. Original Article

From below the 47th pedestrian bridge in Columbia Heights Mayor Amada Marquez Simula addresses a No Kings crowd during the nationwide rally on March 28. Original Article