State Mississippi River Parkway Commission Great River Road
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(State) Mississippi River Parkway Commission Great River Road National Scenic Byway 9/26/2020 1
Agenda • History of the National MRPC • Current Vision, Mission, Objectives and Goals of the National MRPC • (State) Commission – History – Members – Structure – Goals • Accomplishments • Work Plan • Significant sites 9/26/2020 (State) Mississippi River Parkway Commission 2
History of the MRPC • Created in 1938 • 10 individual state commissions • Arkansas • Minnesota • Iowa • Missouri • Illinois • Mississippi • Kentucky • Tennessee • Louisiana • Wisconsin 9/26/2020 (State) Mississippi River Parkway Commission 3
History of the MRPC • Mission in 1938 – Facilitate the development of highways and amenities along the byway called the “Great River Road. ” – Promote tourism along the Mississippi River. 9/26/2020 (State) Mississippi River Parkway Commission 4
History of the MRPC • The MRPC was developed to create a parkway on both sides of the river from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico. • Planning, design and construction of the Great River Road was put on hold until after World War II. • In 1949, Congress authorized a study of the Great River Road. • Funds were allocated to each state based on several factors including the amount of road in each state. 9/26/2020 (State) Mississippi River Parkway Commission 5
History of the MRPC • 1973 - the Federal Highway Act authorized funding to develop a single national route on one side of the river, alternating between the east and west sides of the river. • 1985 – The commission began working with the 10 state tourism offices to launch an international marketing program. This would develop into Mississippi River Country, USA. • 1986 - categorical funds expired. • The Great River Road competed with all other highway projects for funds. • ISTEA and TEA-21 - Scenic Byways 9/26/2020 (State) Mississippi River Parkway Commission 6
National MRPC Structure Finance & Fundraising Committee Board of Directors Bylaws Committee Executive Committee Standing Committees: - Nominations - Awards - Resolutions Mississippi River Country Technical Committees Environment, Recreation & Agriculture Committee 9/26/2020 Transportation Committee Cultural & Heritage Committee Marketing Committee (State) Mississippi River Parkway Commission 7
Current Vision, Mission and Objectives Vision/Mission – To improve the quality of life for our residents and visitors. Objectives – To develop and enhance the Great River Road and its amenities. – To promote the Mississippi River Valley and the Great River Road. 9/26/2020 (State) Mississippi River Parkway Commission 8
Current Goals • Increase and maintain the investment in the Great River Road and its amenities each year. • Achieve a National Scenic Byway designation for all ten states of the Great River Road. • Maintain and/or increase the awareness and visitation of the Mississippi River Valley and the Great River Road. 9/26/2020 (State) Mississippi River Parkway Commission 9
Great River Road Interpretive Plan and Centers • The MRPC developed a Great River Road Interpretive Plan and Tool Kit, which is used by the MRPC, communities and attractions along the river to effectively interpret the many stories told along the river. • Currently there are 63 Interpretive Centers along the Great River Road. • These centers were selected by the Culture and Heritage Committee as sites significant in interpreting important aspects of the river and Great River Road. 9/26/2020 (State) Mississippi River Parkway Commission 10
Legislative Objectives • Secure State and National Scenic Byway designation for all segments of the Great River Road • Develop and implement an education and information program for elected and appointed officials along the Great River Road • Secure funding for implementing the Great River Road Interpretive Plan. $2. 5 million • Maintain a merit based Scenic Byways program as part of the Transportation reauthorization legislation being developed federally 9/26/2020 (State) Mississippi River Parkway Commission 11