Peavey Plaza in Minneapolis, with Orchestra Hall in background. / Photo by Rick Nelson

The large partnership working on the $6 million (and holding) redo of Peavey Plaza in Minneapolis has expanded and now includes the New York-based firm HR&A, which will present a free public update on the project on May 17, 6-7 p.m., at Orchestra Hall.

HR&A is a New York-based real estate and economic-development consulting firm that specializes in complicated urban-design projects that may involve corporate, public, real-estate, nonprofit and programming interests.

In Minneapolis, according to the city, the firm "will help in the revitalization of the plaza by analyzing the site's current usage, suggesting programming concepts that may influence the design and recommending an operating structure for Peavey's long term success."

The presentation, by Daniel Fuchs of HR&A, will include examples of similar public-private projects that his firm has worked on in recent years, including New York's Brooklyn Bridge Park and South Street Seaport; the Toronto waterfront; Washington, D.C.'s Anacostia waterfront and the High Line, Manhattan's disused elevated railway-turned-critically feted park, designed by James Corner Field Operations with Diller Scofidio + Renfro.

The plaza, designed by M.P. Friedberg and built in the 1970s, is co-owned by the city of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Orchestra. The city last year chose the Twin CIties firm oslund and associates as the landscape architects for the renovation of the plaza.The orchestra is undertaking a building renovation budgeted at $45 million. The building and plaza are expected to open in summer 2013.

Beth Grosen, senior project coordinator, said that fees for HR&A's involvement are being paid for right now by the orchestra, not the city.