Romanucci & Blandin Investigates Falls at Two Abandoned Minneapolis Grain Elevators

Chicago law firm Romanucci & Blandin is investigating injuries to two 18-year-olds who fell from abandoned Minneapolis grain elevators, including a 20-story fall at the Checkerboard facility and a five-story fall at Upper Harbor Terminal. The firm's partner John Gorey said more should have been done to secure the properties, according to Yahoo.

Romanucci & Blandin's Inquiry Into Two Falls

Romanucci & Blandin is looking into two incidents involving 18-year-olds at separate Minneapolis locations. Gorey said Ash Ranallo-Korbel fell 20 stories at the Checkerboard grain elevator off Hiawatha earlier this year. "Ash is out of ICU, fortunately," Gorey said. "Will never walk again, is just starting to communicate with kind of single words that are whispered, and very difficult to get communications out."

The second incident occurred in September of last year, when Gorey said 18-year-old Madison Frey fell five stories at Upper Harbor Terminal at a site commonly called "Alien City." Gorey said Frey is now walking with assistive devices after initially being paralyzed from the waist down. "She's never going to be the same as she was," he said.

A Minneapolis spokesperson confirmed that "Property owners are responsible for maintaining and securing their buildings. The City's role is to apply applicable codes." According to Hennepin County data, the Checkerboard facility has a private owner, while the property where Alien City sits is owned by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. "Private or public, it's still the responsibility to maintain a safe environment for our kids is the same regardless of who owns it," Gorey said.

Minneapolis Police previously told KARE 11 that the teen who fell in August was part of a group that trespassed to make a social media video. KARE 11 reached out to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board for a comment Thursday evening and was told that they are looking into it.

Minneapolis Park Board's Role as Property Owner

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is an independent municipal agency that operates Minneapolis's 7,059-acre urban park system, including 185 parks, 49 recreation centers, 7 golf courses, and 102 miles of trails, according to akta.pro company records. The agency was founded in 1883 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, with an estimated revenue of $100 million to $250 million and a headcount range of 501 to 1,000.

Earlier Park Board Budget and Facility Decisions

In August 2026, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey proposed a 2.5% property tax levy increase for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board in his 2027 budget, less than half of the 5.86% increase requested by park commissioners, MinnPost reported. The same month, MPRB commissioners approved a 5.86% levy increase of $5 million to maintain service levels, rejecting Frey's proposal, which they argued would cause mass layoffs and facility closures, according to MinnPost.

In September 2026, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board officials sought full funding at the Board of Estimate and Taxation, citing public frustration and prior budget cuts, MinnPost reported. Mayor Frey's proposal offered a 2.5% levy increase, but the board wanted 5.86%, with a final decision set for Sept. 23.

What Comes Next for the Park Board

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board said it is looking into a request for comment from KARE 11. The firm's inquiry follows the September 2025 fall at Upper Harbor Terminal and the earlier 2026 fall at Checkerboard.