Ryan Sabas
Aerial view of the Mississippi Crossings riverfront development in Champlin
A Vision for Growth

Building Champlin's Future

Bringing more business to Champlin, attracting investment, and moving our city — and our region — toward a more prosperous future.

Ryan Sabas, Mayor of Champlin
Bringing More Business to Champlin

Experience Leading Our City Forward

I'm for expanding Champlin. I bring extensive, hands-on experience leading the effort to revitalize our city — and a clear goal to move both the city and the state toward a more prosperous future.

My vision is straightforward: keep moving forward, attract new investment, and give Champlin the decisive leadership it needs on issues of strategic economic importance — always while protecting the small-town character that makes our community special.

A Regional Priority

Championing Another Mississippi River Crossing

Advancing an additional Mississippi River crossing in Dayton will remain a major priority during my next term as Mayor.

Continued growth in Dayton and communities farther north and west is placing real pressure on Champlin's streets and the Highway 169 corridor, as well as our existing Mississippi River crossing. Champlin residents experience these impacts every day through increased traffic, congestion, and longer travel times. We must plan ahead before these challenges become even greater.

This year, we testified before state legislators and helped secure the first round of funding needed to begin the studies and early planning for a future crossing. This was an important first step toward moving the project from a regional vision to reality.

As Mayor, I will ensure Champlin continues to champion this project. As President of North Metro Mayors, I will work to maintain strong regional support and keep the crossing a shared priority for communities throughout the north metro—especially Maple Grove, Champlin, Dayton, and Ramsey.

A project of this size requires years of advocacy, planning, funding, and coordination among cities, counties, state agencies, legislators, and other regional partners. Continuity in the Mayor's office matters. The relationships, regional coalitions, and momentum we have built greatly increase our ability to keep the project moving forward and ultimately get it done.

Another river crossing would create an essential regional connection, reduce pressure on Champlin's streets and existing bridges, improve emergency access, support economic growth, and better prepare the north metro for the future.

We have made meaningful progress, but the work is not finished. I am committed to providing the consistent leadership and regional advocacy necessary to move this critical project from a long-term vision to reality.

The Anoka-Champlin Mississippi River bridge connecting Champlin across the Mississippi River
A wide paved multi-use recreational trail winding through a green river corridor — the vision for the completed West River Road Trail for biking, hiking, and running
Infrastructure & Recreation

West River Road Multi-Modal Trail

Completing the West River Road Trail—from the Brooklyn Park border to Mississippi Crossings—will remain a major priority for me during my next term as Mayor.

I have already testified before state leaders in support of this project and helped secure millions of dollars to begin Phase 1. I will continue working with our partners in the Minnesota House and Senate to secure the funding necessary to complete the entire trail.

This project has been a long-standing priority of mine and of our previous City Council. The new multi-modal trail will provide pedestrians and bicyclists with a safe alternative to traveling along West River Road while better connecting Champlin with neighboring communities.

The trail will provide safer access to our schools and connect residents to important regional destinations, including Mississippi Crossings and Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park.

This is about more than building a trail. It is about improving safety, connecting neighborhoods and communities, expanding recreational opportunities, and making it easier for residents of all ages to enjoy everything Champlin and the Mississippi River corridor have to offer.

Community Investment

Multi-Use Indoor Athletic Facility

Delivering a state-of-the-art, multi-use indoor athletic facility has become one of my top priorities—both now and throughout my next term as Mayor. This facility would be an absolute game-changer for our community.

To compete at the highest level with neighboring communities, we cannot afford to fall behind. Investing in high-quality recreational amenities will help keep families here, attract new families, support local businesses, and encourage continued reinvestment in our community.

This is not simply a City of Champlin project. It is a true Champlin Park regional project with support from Dayton and Brooklyn Park. Our communities share schools, athletic programs, youth organizations, and families. The regional impact of a facility like this would be real and far-reaching.

For Champlin Park High School, the facility would provide varsity athletes, teams, and school programs with a safe, dependable, year-round space for practices, training, and competition.

For traveling teams and Champlin Dayton Athletic Association programs, it would provide reliable indoor space to properly schedule practices, organize events, host tournaments, and expand opportunities for young athletes—regardless of Minnesota's unpredictable weather.

Most importantly, this facility would serve the entire community. Families, young athletes, adults, and seniors would all benefit from a welcoming, year-round space that includes an elevated walking track and flexible areas for recreation, fitness, events, and community activities.

The work to deliver this facility has already begun. I have been working with state leaders in both the Minnesota House and Senate and have testified in support of securing state funding. My goal is to build the partnerships and obtain the outside funding necessary to make this project a reality without placing the entire financial burden on Champlin taxpayers.

We are also pursuing partnerships and negotiations with the CDAA Board and Anoka-Hennepin Schools. Bringing together our city, schools, athletic organizations, neighboring communities, state leaders, and regional partners will be essential to developing a facility that serves our residents responsibly and successfully for generations.

This facility is about much more than athletics. It is an investment in our families, schools, seniors, local economy, and Champlin's future. As Mayor, I am committed to doing the work, building the partnerships, and delivering this transformational project for our community.

Indoor Athletic Facility concept with renderings, Champlin Park logo, and Mayor Ryan Sabas testifying before the Minnesota Senate Taxes Committee

Presentation excerpt begins at 15:07 and ends at 29:50.

Map of the West Mississippi Crossings study area showing Phase I, Phase II study area, Mississippi Crossings Event Center, and the surrounding Champlin riverfront
Economic Development

West Mississippi Crossings Redevelopment

We are working to guide responsible development and redevelopment in the West Mississippi Crossings area—positioning it for long-term success while delivering the amenities Champlin residents want and need. This area must—and will—complement the already-developed Mississippi Crossings riverfront district, creating a connected and vibrant destination for our community.

By working closely with current businesses, nearby residents, and community partners, we will develop a shared vision that supports economic success, responsibly manages additional traffic, and protects the character of the historic surrounding neighborhood.

holiday_villageNeighborhoods & Public Safety

Group Homes and Cognitive Care Facilities

The concerns surrounding the growing concentration of group homes and cognitive care facilities in our neighborhoods are real. These facilities provide important care, but when too many are located close together, they can place significant demands on police, fire, and emergency medical services while creating institutional-level activity within residential neighborhoods.

I have testified before both the Minnesota House and Senate, worked closely with our neighbors in Brooklyn Park, and partnered with state leaders to pursue meaningful reforms. Our goal is to give cities greater local oversight, inspection authority, and a voice in how these facilities are concentrated—while ensuring residents receive safe, responsible, and high-quality care.

As President of North Metro Mayors, I have led coalition efforts calling for statewide reform. I will continue fighting for solutions that support vulnerable residents, protect our neighborhoods, and ensure our first responders have the resources they need.

Testimony excerpt begins at 1:28:46 and ends at 1:51:57.

The Plan

A Common Goal: A More Prosperous Champlin

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Attract Investment

A clear, forward-looking vision that gives investors and employers the confidence to build, expand, and create jobs right here in Champlin.

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A Voice for Champlin

Ryan acts as a representative to both local and central government — ensuring Champlin has a strong, decisive voice on the issues that shape our economy.

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Coherent Public Leadership

Bringing coherence to the actions of the public sector by collaborating with local authorities, businesses, and the many players in our wider local economy.

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Regional Partnerships

Well placed to help Champlin navigate the complex web of relationships between the city, the region, and the state to unlock new opportunities for growth.

Let's Build the Next Chapter Together

Champlin's best days are still ahead. Join Ryan in bringing more business, more investment, and more opportunity to the city we call home.