Annual Meeting and Elections

Join us on Thursday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Summit Brewing for HDC’s Annual Meeting. This event is an opportunity to gather with neighbors, learn about the latest in Highland and meet the candidates who’d like to represent you on our board. highlanddistrictcouncil.org/hdc-event/2026election

Join HDC’s board of directors

We are currently accepting board member applications. Submit your application by April 9 at 5 p.m.

Learn more and apply at highlanddistrictcouncil.org/2026election

Shepard Road to close beginning April 20

Beginning April 20, Shepard Road is closed between Lexington Parkway and Otto Avenue (including the I-35E entrance ramp) as Minnesota Department of Transportation works to replace the aging I-35E bridge over Shepard and make road repairs to the I-35E Mississippi River bridge. View their full presentation at our recent Transportation Committee meeting at highlanddistrictcouncil.org/road-projects. Project page: dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/i35estpaul-lilydale

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Meetings take place at the Highland Community Center at 1978 Ford Parkway with an option to join online unless noted. Get the Zoom link and meeting agendas at www.highlanddistrictcouncil.org/calendar.

No April Meetings

Presentation on the future of the Mississippi River Gorge

6:30pm, Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Highland Park Community Center, Auditorium, 1978 Ford Parkway, St. Paul

“From Rapids to Reservoirs & Back Again?’ – a presentation by John O. Anfinson, PhD

Presented by Highland District Council, National Parks Conservation Association and St. Paul Parks Conservancy

For the first time since the Twin Cities’ founding, we have an opportunity to redefine the Mississippi River in the heart of the Twin Cities. In 2014, Congress directed the U.S Army Corps of Engineers to permanently close the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock. This ended commercial barge traffic there and at the next two locks and dams downstream: the Lower St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam and Lock and Dam No. 1. Now the Corps wants to leave all three.

The Upper St. Anthony Falls Dam will remain, as Xcel Energy owns most of it, and removing it would destroy St. Anthony Falls. But we have a choice whether the other two locks and dams remain or come out. We face a choice between two very different worlds, both different from the world we have known for over 100 years. John will talk about the choice before us and how we can make the best decision, a 21st century decision.

Learn more at highlanddistrictcouncil.org/hdc-event/presentation-on-the-future-of-the-mississippi-river-gorge/