The Mississippi River flows through Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The mighty river’s modest early leg has historically turned the screws for the town’s longstanding paper mill. If you look at the center of this picture you’ll see Showboat Landing. (Aaron J. Brown)
Long in the works, a new biofuel project in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, may soon come to fruition, but is attracting the ire of arts backers in this western Mesabi city. Though the project has yet to be confirmed by UPM-Blandin, city officials say it will take over a section of Mississippi River shoreline commonly called Showboat Landing.
Showboat Landing is where local musical theater enthusiasts stage the annual Mississippi Melodie Showboat production along with other summer attractions. It’s a beloved local tradition, marred only occasionally by flat notes or a sinking boat. A “Save Showboat Landing” Facebook group formed last weekend to gather forces to protest the end of Showboat Landing.
The showboat theater group would not be affected by the project, only the current venue. The site of Showboat Landing is zoned industrial and has been for many years. The Showboat production was notified of the termination of its lease after 2015 earlier this year, according to the Grand Rapids Herald-Review. So the situation appears to pit two things Grand Rapids is known for, wood products and the arts, against one another.
Rumors of a major biofuel/bio-manufacturing project of some sort have been bubbling around Itasca County for almost a year. In fact, some have told me on background they believe it will be the thing that saves Blandin in Grand Rapids. So it’s rather funny — certainly dramatic — that the story was essentially brought to light by concerned theater people.
As they say, developing …
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