HomeMy WebLinkAboutEditionEdinaNovember2019Edition: Edina
NOVEMBER 2019
Volume 6, Issue 11
City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
Strong FoundationCITY GOALS:Better TogetherReliable Service Livable City
BY KRYSTAL CARON
Just in time for holiday shopping, visitors to the
50th & France area will now have easy access to
free, covered parking. The Center Ramp reopens
Nov. 1, bringing the total number of free, public
parking stalls available at 50th & France to over
1,100.
“We’ll have more than 120 free public parking
spaces on the first level of the Center Ramp
and those are designated specifically for
visitors to the 50th & France area,” said Project
Communications Coordinator Pat Tucker.
Another level will be dedicated to residents of
Nolan Mains, the rental property located above
the Center Ramp. The ramp has an elevator and
several handicapped parking spaces. Since the
ramp is underground,
parking is kept cool
in the summer and
warm in the winter.
“There is a stairway
and elevator in the
center to access
businesses. We
added a stairway
on the west side to make it easier to access
those buildings and another stairway on the
east end that is the closest to get to things like
restaurants, retail and salons,” said Economic
Development Manager Bill Neuendorf. “Rain
and snow shouldn’t slow you down.”
Entrances to the North and Center ramps are
both accessible from Market Street and the
South Ramp can be accessed from West 51st
Street. Providing additional parking has been a
long-term goal of the City. The Market Street
project began over five years ago and has
resulted in over 100 new parking spaces in
the area.
“The completion of this ramp is another
phase in this public/private partnership,” said
Neuendorf. “This gives us parking capacity for
more businesses, more employees and more
customers.”
Work won’t be entirely finished, though. Tucker
says there are still odds and ends that need
to be finalized on the Center Ramp, such as
wayfinding signs. Those details will continue to
be installed after the ramp opens to the public.
Nolan Mains and a public plaza are also still
under construction. A formal grand opening
event will be held in the spring of 2020.
“We’re really excited about the public area
that’s being finalized there. It’s a large gathering
area with retail space, open air and a fire pit,”
said Tucker. “It’s really something special now
and for generations to come.”
For more information, visit
EdinaMN.gov/50thandFrance or contact
Tucker at 952-826-1605.
The Center Ramp at 50th & France, located under Nolan Mains,
opens Friday, Nov. 1. This is the last ramp to be reopened after
construction at 50th & France. Photo by Kaylin Eidsness
All three parking ramps are now open.
Center Ramp Opens at 50th & France
Final Pieces of Market Street Redevelopment Are Falling into Place
South Ramp
North Ramp
Center Ramp
A formal grand
opening event
will be held in the
spring of 2020.
50TH ST
FRANCE AVEMARKET ST
51ST ST
BY DEBBIE TOWNSEND
The Braemar Golf Dome isn’t just the largest
or longest-hitting indoor practice facility in the
Twin Cities anymore. It’s also the only place in
Minnesota with Toptracer Range technology,
the most advanced
ball tracing
available. Golf
fans have seen it
during TV coverage
of major golf
tournaments.
Toptracer Range
was installed this
fall in all 44 bays
on two levels of
Braemar Golf
Dome, 7420
Braemar Blvd.
Previous tee-
tracking technology
showed only the
start of the ball’s
flight path and
some basic data. With Toptracer Range, golfers
will be able to see the ball’s entire flight path,
ball speed, launch angle carry, curve, hang time
and more. The information can help golfers
adjust their swing and instantly see the results.
“This will be the best game-improvement
winter practice facility you are going to find
anywhere,” said Braemar Golf Course General
Manager Joe Abood.
He expects a lot of players to dig into the mode
called “What’s In My Bag.” They can track the
swing data for every club, so on the course
they can better understand how each club will
perform.
“You can get dialed in and know exactly what
you’re hitting,” Abood said.
Toptracer Range’s other modes include games
you can play against your friends at the Dome or
worldwide against people at other ranges.
In addition to Toptracer Range, other
improvements at Braemar Golf Dome include
new seating and expanded hours. The dome,
which opens Nov. 1, will operate 7 a.m. to
9 p.m. daily.
Learn more at BraemarGolf.com or by calling
952-903-5775.
Braemar Golf Dome Opens With Latest Ball-Tracing Technology
Toptracer Range Installed in all 44 Bays
BY THE NUMBERS
Pipes Don’t Like Wipes!
6 Out of eight sewer backups in 2018, six were
caused by wipes.
The City has 180 miles of public
sanitary sewer mains, 4,800
manholes and 24 lift stations within
its system.
180
When “flushable” wipes are flushed into the City system, they
create clogs, which in turn cause sewer backups. Even wipes
labeled as “flushable” should not be flushed.
Be a good neighbor!
Don’t flush wipes!
If you flush one wipe, it can cause a
clog for an entire neighborhood.
Toptracer Range allows golfers to track and analyze shots from all of their clubs, providing them with
data, including flat carry, total yards, height and hang time. Submitted Image
1
City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
UPCOMING EVENTS
Recurring Events:
Community Concerts, Edinborough Park
7 p.m. Sundays and Tuesdays
Children’s Programs, Edinborough Park
Noon Thursdays
Wednesday, Nov. 6, 7 p.m.
City Council Meeting, Edina City Hall
Friday, Nov. 8, 6:30 p.m.
Friday Family Movie Night, “Toy Story 4,”
Edinborough Park
Saturday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m.
The Author’s Studio: The Witness Tree – Amy
Pendino, Edina Art Center
Monday, Nov. 11
Veterans Day; City Hall closed
Thursday, Nov. 14, 5-8 p.m.
Up North Gift Gallery Opening Reception, Edina
Art Center
Saturday, Nov. 16, 10 a.m.-noon
Town Hall Meeting, Edina Senior Center
Saturday, Nov. 16, 7 p.m.
“Pioneers of Color: The Yancey
Family of Edina,” Minnehaha
Grange Hall
The Yancey family was one of
Edina’s founding families, leaders
not only in the local community,
but across the state of Minnesota.
Discover the history of this
pioneering family, from their
early years in slavery to becoming successful frontier
farmers and leaders.
Tuesday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m.
City Council Meeting, Edina City Hall
Saturday, Nov. 23, 9-10 a.m.
Walk With the Mayor, Galleria
Sunday, Nov. 24,
7 p.m.
First John Philip
Sousa Memorial
Band, Edinborough
Park
Thursday, Nov. 28
Thanksgiving Day; City Hall Closed
Friday, Nov. 29
City Hall Closed
For a complete listing of meetings and events,
visit EdinaMN.gov.
BY KAYLIN EIDSNESS
Building permits help ensure homes and
buildings are safe from electrical and heating
system fire hazards, structural failure and other
health risks.
Chief Building Official David Fisher says the
safety of residents and visitors in Edina is the
No. 1 priority of his division.
“Building inspections reduce risk and give
assurance that the work being done by residents
and contractors is up to code,” he said.
To pay for the inspections service, the City
collects building permit fees. The fees cover
costs incurred by reviewing plans, investigating
code compliance and administering the
inspections. According to the League of
Minnesota Cities, State law requires that
these fees must be fair, reasonable and have
a connection to the actual cost of the service
for which the fee is imposed. Statewide, most
building fees for each project are set based on
the building’s valuation. However, some, such as
the demolition permit in Edina, are a flat rate.
The average value of a demolition and newly
rebuilt home in Edina is $677,480. For a project
of that amount, building permits would total
$11,003, or 1.62 percent of the value of the
new home built. Permits for such a project
would include demolition, building, sewer/
water disconnect and connect, Public Works
curb cut, plumbing, mechanical and electrical.
The homeowner would also have to pay a plan
review fee.
“In my entire career, I’ve never seen such high
building valuations,” said Fisher of last year’s
valuations, which totaled $344 million. “That’s
up there with Minneapolis and St. Paul for total
valuations.”
In 2018, six Building Inspectors made 12,443
building inspections, compared to 9,664
building inspections in 2014. These inspections
range from looking over a simple residential
deck to very complex mechanical installations at
some of the city’s businesses.
For more information, contact Fisher at
952-826-0450.
Building Permits Help Keep Structures Safe
Permit Fees Based on Building Values
Braemar Golf Dome Opens With Latest Ball-Tracing Technology
Toptracer Range Installed in all 44 Bays
During the winter holiday
season, the Gift Shop,
Margaret Foss and Tea Room
galleries at the Edina Art
Center are transformed into
the “Up North” Holiday Gift
Gallery, featuring a variety
of locally made artwork and
photography at multiple
price points to offer holiday
shoppers a one-stop shopping
opportunity. The Up North gift
gallery opens Thursday, Nov.
14, and goes through Dec. 27.
Art by Chris Emeott
UP NORTH GIFT
GALLERY OPENS
NOV. 14
Building Inspector Peter Akmenkalns inspects a residential
basement remodeling project in Edina. Photo by Kaylin Eidsness
952-927-8861 | mail@EdinaMN.gov City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
Anticipating the need for additional parking at
the Braemar Golf Dome, the Edina City Council
has authorized shoulder improvements along
Braemar Boulevard.
During the 2018-2019 season, the City began to
see a need for more parking at the Golf Dome,
7420 Braemar Blvd. With the recent installation
of first-in-the-state Toptracer Range technology
in the practice facility, it is anticipated that there
will be an even greater parking demand.
Staff completed a study to determine if parking
could be expanded west of the current lot,
a new lot built on the south side of the Golf
Dome or additional parking provided along
Braemar Boulevard. Providing additional street
parking was determined to be most cost
effective.
The City Council awarded the contract for the
project to Pember Companies at its Oct. 15
meeting. As part of the $60,000 project, which
will be paid with remaining 2017 bond proceeds
from the golf course renovation, three seven-
foot shoulders will be constructed in three
locations.
Life Time Fitness, which will feature a rooftop restaurant,
accompanied by leisure pools, lounge seating and bocce courts, plans
to open before the end of the year. Photo by Dietrich Nissen
Parking To Be Added Along Braemar Boulevard
Improvements at Golf Dome Expected to Draw Bigger Crowds
TUESDAY, NOV. 5
Edina School District
All voting will be held at polling locations 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5. In-person absentee
voting will take place at Edina City Hall; visit EdinaMN.gov/Election for a list of times.
Richfield School District
For Edina residents who are eligible to vote in the Richfield School District election, your
polling place is Sheridan Hills Elementary School Gym, 6400 Sheridan Ave. S., Richfield.
Contact the City of Richfield at 612-861-9700 to learn more about absentee voting.
Hopkins School District
For Edina residents who are eligible to vote in the Hopkins School District election, your
polling place is Shepherd of the Hills Church, 500 Blake Road, Edina. Contact the City of
Hopkins at 952-935-8474 to learn more about absentee voting.
SCHOOL BOARD
Visit MNVotes.gov
• Find your polling place • See a sample ballot • Learn about candidates
In other business last month, the Council:
• Purchased MUNIS, an integrated enterprise
resource planning software system, from
Tyler Technologies. The system combines
core financial (general ledger, budgeting,
accounts payable and receivable, payroll
and purchasing), utility billing and Human
Resources systems. The technology will
allow staff to more efficiently maintain
and locate data for the public, provide
better data and analysis for informed
decision-making by elected officials and
staff, and reduces the risk of lost data and
human error. Implementation will begin in
November, but is expected to take 18-24
months to complete. The planned “go-live”
date is Jan. 1, 2021.
• Certified unpaid utility bills to the County
for collection. There are currently 519
properties with delinquent accounts totaling
$331,706.
• Approved the plat for 200 Southdale
Center. Formerly a lot for JC Penney, there
are now three lots at the site for Life
Time Fitness, a multi-tenant space and an
outdoor plaza.
• Authorized the study of surface and
ground water interactions at Highlands
Park to determine how water levels
respond to various weather conditions.
Barr Engineering will also begin to develop
options and estimates that might address
flooding issues there.
• Directed staff to scope a process for
creating a climate action plan for Edina.
The Council will next meet 7 p.m. Wednesday,
Nov. 6, and Tuesday, Nov. 19, at Edina City Hall,
4801 W. 50th St. For more information, visit
EdinaMN.gov.
– COMPILED BY JENNIFER BENNEROTTE
CITY OF EDINA
4801 WEST 50TH STREET
EDINA, MN 55424
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