HomeMy WebLinkAboutEditionEdina_November-2024-WebVernon Avenue and Highway 100 Project Scheduled to Start
January 2025
Joint Project Continues Safety Improvements in the Grandview District
An almost year-long $27 million street
project in the Grandview District,
coordinated by the City of Edina, Hennepin
County and the Minnesota Department of
Transportation (MnDOT), is scheduled to
start January 2025.
At a glance, the project includes two new
bridges on Vernon Avenue, one over the
Canadian Pacific railroad and the second over
Minnesota Highway 100. The project also
improves nearby intersections and eliminates
redundant Highway 100 access ramps in favor
of a standard tight diamond interchange,
including the removal of the northbound on-
and off- ramps at Grange Road.
This continues the work being done in the
district over the past few years to improve
safety and mobility for all users and better
connect residential and commercial areas.
“This project includes safety improvements
for both pedestrians and vehicles that have
been identified in many Grandview District
visioning documents,” said Engineering
Director Chad Millner. “It made economic
sense to build it all in one year, versus
trying to stage this over two years. There
are fewer impacts to the traveling public by
constructing the project in one year versus
over two separate construction seasons.”
What is the timeline?
As of press time, major work is expected
to start in January, contingent on awarding
a contract for services and finalizing an
agreement with the Canadian Pacific
Railway. Minor tasks, such as tree removal,
may begin earlier, but will not cause road
closures. The goal is to have everything
reopened by November 2025.
How will this affect travel in the area?
This is a large construction project that
includes several phases, traffic changes and
closures. Travelers should plan for delays
and heavier traffic. No thru traffic will be
allowed in the Vernon Avenue and West
50th Street work zone during the project,
but the project will be phased to allow
the Highway 100 ramps to remain open
during a portion of the project. Signs will
be posted to allow access to the local
businesses along Vernon. The City will
issue updates throughout construction
when there are traffic changes.
What changes are being made?
Arcadia Avenue
•Addition of 10-foot-wide sidewalks
and ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps
•New streetlights
Highway 100
•Removal of redundant on- and off-
ramps and the creation of a tight
diamond interchange
•New noise wall along northbound
on-ramp
Interlachen Boulevard and Gus Young
•Addition of 10-foot-wide sidewalks
and ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps
•New left turn lanes
•New traffic signal with ADA-compliant
audible crossings
•New ADA-compliant entrance into
Edina Liquor
Vernon and 50th
Two new bridges:
1. New Vernon Avenue Bridge that is
widened and raised to meet railroad
height requirements
2. New Highway 100 Bridge that creates
space for the below improvements:
•10-foot-wide sidewalks and ADA-
compliant pedestrian ramps
•Pedestrian refuge islands
•New dual left-turn lanes in both east
and west directions
•New traffic signals with ADA-compliant
audible crossings
How is the City paying for this project?
The total project cost is estimated to be around
$27.46 million, which will be shared by the
City of Edina, Hennepin County and MnDOT.
The City’s portion is about $15.47 million, with
$4.21 million being covered by federal funding
that’s already been secured. A plan for funding
the remaining balance is being developed.
For more information, contact Millner,
952-826-0318 or cmillner@EdinaMN.gov.
Stay up to date on the project by
visiting Bit.ly/VernonProject.
– COMPILED BY BRITTANY BADER
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City of Edina EdinaMN.gov 1
Strong FoundationCITY GOALS:Better TogetherReliable Service Livable City
SPECIAL NATIONAL RECYCLING MONTH ISSUE
Edition: Edina
NOVEMBER 2024
Volume 11, Issue 11
In response to feedback from residents, the City’s proposed
$206 million budget for 2025 prioritizes significant investments
in public safety while still upholding high levels of City services
across all departments.
The budget includes a proposed $61.5 million tax levy, an
increase of 13.14% from 2024. On the median-valued
home of $712,300, the effect would be an increase of
about $24 per month.
The most notable part of the proposed levy increase is
that 5.46% is specifically to fund the expansion of public
safety services.
“The levy increase includes the first debt payment on the
new Fire Station 2. When the station opens, it will improve
emergency response times in one of the city’s most densely
populated areas. The expansion in services also includes
adding nine new staff members between emergency
medical response and law enforcement,” said Finance
Director Pa Thao.
The other 7.68% will cover City-wide operating costs, fund
projects in the Capital Improvement Plan, support the Street
Special Levy and update zoning ordinances.
For more information on the City’s budgets, contact Thao at
pthao@EdinaMN.gov or visit EdinaMN.gov/Finance.
– COMPILED BY BRITTANY BADER
Highlights of the Proposed 2025 Budget
Public Safety
•Planning for the first debt payment on the highly anticipated
new Fire Station 2 at 4401 W. 76th St., scheduled to open in
the winter of 2025
•Adding six Paramedic/Firefighters to the Edina Fire
Department to staff the new Fire Station 2
•Adding three new Police Officers to ensure public safety,
enforce laws, investigate crimes and better respond to
mental health crises
•Adding one Facility Coordinator within the Parks &
Recreation Department to improve safety and better respond
to social disruption events in recreation enterprises
General
•Covering rising operating costs in areas such as employee
pay and benefits, energy, risk management, technology,
equipment and vehicle expenses
•Continuing commitment to maintaining high-quality City
services that set Edina apart, like park maintenance, street
repair, snow plowing, environmental protection, community
engagement, assessing, communications, fleet maintenance,
street sweeping and more
•Improving accessibility and inclusivity at City facilities by
improving pathways and adding automatic doors, EV
charging stations at accessible parking spots, gender-neutral
bathrooms and ADA improvements
•Gradually increasing the Street Special Levy as scheduled,
continuing the transition of street reconstruction funding
from special assessments to property taxes by 2036
•Designating funding for zoning ordinance updates as part
of the City’s Comprehensive Plan update
Reasons for the Proposed Levy Increase
0.5% Comprehensive
Plan Update
0.5% Street Assessment Policy Change
0.8% Equipment &
Capital Increase
2%
0%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
2% New Public
Safety Positions
3.5% Debt Service for New
Fire Station 2
5.9% Base Increase for General Operating Costs
City’s Proposed 2025 Budget Prioritizes Public Safety
Edina City Council Will Decide on the Budget in December
Opportunities for Public Comment on the Proposed Budget
The City Council will make a decision on the budget at its Dec. 3 or Dec. 17 meeting. Public input on the proposed budget and tax levy can
be provided in a variety of ways to the City Council, including online, by voicemail or by attending the public hearing that will take place
7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, in the City Hall Council Chambers, 4801 W. 50th St. All comments are reviewed and considered; you do not need
to participate in more than one way. Details on how to participate can be found at BetterTogetherEdina.org/2025-Budget.
The new Fire Station 2, under construction on West 76th Street, is one of the
2025 budget priorities for public safety. (Photo by Dan Carpenter)
2
Paramedic/Firefighter Tom Hegge brings the reusable
Edina Fire Department bags on a Cub Foods shopping
trip. (Photo by Travis Jacobs)
Council Member Carolyn Jackson, Police Lt. Jake Heckert, City Manager Scott Neal, Mayor Jim Hovland,
Police Chief Todd Milburn and Police Lt. Ryan Schultz were among the Edina officials to celebrate the
groundbreaking for a new tactical building at the South Metro Public Safety Training Facility. (Photo by
Jennifer Bennerotte)
BY GIOVANNA CONTRERAS
Between emergency calls, members of the
Edina Fire Department take time every day
to clean trucks, complete trainings … and
make a grocery list.
Sharing dinner is central to the Edina Fire
Department’s culture, fostering deeper
interpersonal relationships. Each shift
makes a daily trip to the grocery store.
“We have sneaky good cooks, and
we can be seasonal eaters,” said
Paramedic/Firefighter Megan Bates.
“For instance, during the summer, we
eat light and fresh. Poke bowls were
popular this year. We are also reigning
champs for the City-wide chili cookoff
thanks to C Shift”
“My favorite meal this year was Venison
Osso Buco by Captain Tyler Ball,” said
Paramedic/Firefighter Tom Hegge.
Members of the Fire Department
determined they used about 2,000 plastic
bags a year for their supermarket runs.
The City of Edina and the other owners
of the South Metro Public Safety
Training Facility (SMPSTF) recently
celebrated the start of construction of a
new tactical training building there.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held
at the site at 7525 Braemar Blvd. on
Oct. 15. The new 6,524-square-foot,
L-shaped building will be built on the
south side of the property with garage
doors at each end for Police training.
The majority will be one level, but
the building will feature a mezzanine
with multiple sets of stairs for training
scenarios that include a second level.
Three vehicles will be able to drive
through and fit in the building at one
time, which will come in handy for
training during winter months.
The training building will be used by
the facility’s owner agencies: Edina,
Bloomington, Eden Prairie and the
Metropolitan Airports Commission.
Other local and federal agencies will
be able to rent the new facility for an
hourly fee. Most types of training will
They wanted to cut down on the plastic
waste, so they had opted for paper bags
whenever possible. When the City’s
carryout bag fee went into place July 1,
they wanted to go a step further.
“When residents are pushing for policies
in place, we do our best to return the
support,” said Bates.
Since July, Edina Fire has had its own
reusable bags. Initially, they had
difficulty remembering to bring the
bags along. They solved this issue by
storing the bags in the front middle
compartment of the fire trucks.
Bringing reusable bags is one small but
important way the Fire Department staff
contributes to the Edina community,
said Hegge.
“For us, it’s our second home. We live
here (at the fire station) a third of our life,”
said Bates.
For more information on Edina’s carryout
bag fee, visit EdinaMN.gov/BagFee.
Edina Fire Department Foodies Switch Up Grocery Routine
Paramedics/Firefighters Keep About 2,000 Plastic Bags Out of the Landfill Annually
Construction Begins on New Police Training Building
be conducted in the building, including
building searches, use-of-force techniques
and traffic enforcement. No live
ammunition will be used in the facility;
only simulated firearms will be used there.
The building will include a bathroom and
a mechanical room. Other than those two
rooms, the building will have a lot of open
space for the agencies to use.
The new building is expected to be
complete sometime this winter.
3City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
Recycling Is Only One Step in Reducing Waste
Follow the 5 R’s To Lower Your Impact on Trash and the Environment
•Decline plastic utensils,
condiment packets and
straws with takeout
food; use your own.
•Say no to freebies and
items that will quickly
end up in the trash,
like business cards
or easily broken toys.
(Think conferences and
birthday parties.)
•Unsubscribe from
marketing mailers and
catalogs you don’t want.
•Reject fast fashion:
Say no to impulse
purchases of cheap,
trendy clothes that
have a short lifespan.
•Refuse excess packaging
from online orders.
Choose retailers who
prioritize sustainable
packaging or ask them
to reduce it.
Refuse
•Buy only what you need.
Plan meals and shopping
trips to avoid overbuying
food, clothing and
household items that
may go unused.
•Use up leftovers, freeze
food before it spoils and
store items properly to
extend their shelf life.
•Focus on buying items
that you can recycle
or reuse.
•Turn off lights,
unplug electronics
and use energy-
efficient appliances.
•Take shorter showers,
fix leaks and install
low-flow fixtures to
conserve water.
•Invest in higher-quality,
longer-lasting products
to reduce the frequency
of replacing cheap or
poorly made items.
Reduce
•Always carry reusable
shopping bags, food
containers and water
bottles to cut down
on single-use items.
•Reuse jars from sauces
or pickles as storage
for dry goods, leftovers
or even do-it-yourself
projects like candles.
•Use refillable versions of
common items like soap,
detergent or cleaning
supplies to avoid
constantly buying
new containers.
•Host a party with
reuseable plates, cups,
napkins and utensils.
•Fix broken electronics,
clothes or household
items instead of
tossing them and
buying new ones.
•Use cloth or fabric
bags for gift-wrapping
or reuse paper from
previous presents instead
of single-use gift wrap.
Reuse
•Set up a home compost
bin or use the City’s
composting program
to dispose of vegetable
peels, fruit cores, coffee
grounds and other
food scraps.
•If reusables are
not an option,
choose BPI-
certified items
like compostable plates,
utensils and packaging,
ensuring they’re made
from natural materials
that can break down.
•Avoid sending
compostable items
to landfills.
Rot
•Purchase recyclable
or reusable items
or packaging
whenever possible.
•Do not put electronic
waste in the recycling.
•Take e-waste, light
bulbs, batteries and
whipped cream cans
to the recycling facility.
(See Page 7 for recycling
resources and facilities.)
•Put only items you are
certain are acceptable in
your recycling bin. Use
hennepin.us/green-
disposal-guide to
determine what’s
recyclable. When in
doubt, throw it out.
Recycle
BY LAUREN SIEBENALER
The saying “everything goes somewhere”
serves as a simple yet powerful reminder
that nothing we get rid of simply disappears.
Every item we dispose of ends up
somewhere. If it is not reused, that
somewhere is often a landfill or incinerator.
Staff in the City’s Public Health Division say
understanding this reality helps us examine
how our personal habits contribute to the
larger problem of waste and what we can
do to make a difference. They offer the
following tips.
Reduce. Consider whether you really need
something before buying it.
“Reducing waste starts with a shift in
mindset. It’s not about drastically altering
your lifestyle overnight, but rather about
making small, thoughtful choices that
collectively have a significant impact,” said
Twila Singh, the City of Edina’s Organics
Recycling Coordinator.
Reuse. Consider turning an item you don’t
want anymore into something else.
Singh said another important step is being
intentional about what we choose to
buy. Opting for reusable items like water
bottles, shopping bags and coffee cups
over single-use alternatives can also make
a big difference. Compostable is good, but
reusable is always better.
These changes may seem small, but when
practiced consistently, they can lead to a
substantial reduction in waste. Proof of
this can be seen in any of the garbage cans
in Edina parks – about 70% of the volume
is usually single-use drink containers,
according to Singh’s garbage audits.
Recycle. Consider that proper recycling
can give your item new life and reduce
materials going to the landfills. According
to the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, recycling also reduces the need to
extract resources such as timber, water and
minerals for new products.
“Recycling is an easy and beneficial way
to reduce trash, but it is also important
to recycle properly,” said Recycling
Coordinator Solvei Wilmot. “’Wish
recycling’ has the potential to contaminate
recyclables, causing items in the cart to
get soiled and go to trash, or tangle in the
sorting equipment and cause unnecessary
shutdown. So, if in doubt, throw it out.”
Singh said it’s always worth remembering
that individual actions inspire collective
change. “When we take responsibility for
our own waste, we set an example for
others to follow,” she said. “The most
impactful messaging I have observed is
neighbor to neighbor. Imagine the ripple
effect if everyone on your street started
recycling their organics.”
For more information and
resources on reducing trash,
visit EdinaMN.gov/Recycling.
Everything Goes Somewhere: Take Responsibility for Your Trash’s Path
Kicking the Can Down the Road Only Causes Issues for Others
4
Bingo Rules
Complete one of the following
patterns to qualify for a prize:
•A horizontal line (any row)
•A vertical line (any column)
•A diagonal line (corner to corner)
•Four corners
•Full card (coverall)
Bingo cards must be returned by 4:30 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. Cards can be returned
one of three ways:
1. Paper cards can be brought to Fire
Station 1, 6250 Tracy Ave. There is a
collection box in the lobby next to the
service window.
2. Paper cards can be brought the Edina
Senior Center, 5280 Grandview Square.
There is a collection box in the lobby on
top of the compost bag dispenser.
3. Submit online at EdinaMN.gov/Bingo.
All ages are welcome to participate. All card
submissions must contain a name and a phone
number or email address. Please write neatly!
One hundred cards will be randomly selected
and notified by Jan. 10, 2025. To be eligible for
the prize of a reusable tote, winners will need to
submit a short explanation of how they completed
their squares. More information on this requirement
will be sent directly to the winners.
For questions or more information about
Green Goals Bingo, contact Organics
Recycling Coordinator Twila Singh at
tsingh@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-1657.
5City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
Green Goals Bingo
Make Every Choice Count
Conduct a
personal
trash audit
Buy
something
from a local
business
Learn about
clean energy
options for
your home
Bring an
electronic
item to a
recycling
facility
Sweep up
extra deicing
salt for reuse
Commit to
using less
deicing salt
this winter
Reuse
an item
creatively
(ex: a glass jar)
Convince a
neighbor to
try organics
recycling
Refuse
a plastic
straw or
utensil
Bring your
own takeout
container to
dinner
Carpool,
bike, walk or
take public
transit to run
an errand
Learn how
to recycle
something
before
buying it
Compost
your food
scraps
Refresh your
recycling
knowledge
Use a
refillable
water bottle
at a party
Imagine what
the Earth
will look
like 50 years
from now
Unplug all
electronics
not in use
Borrow
or rent
something
instead of
buying
Attempt
to repair
something
instead of
rebuying
Turn off the
lights when
you leave
the house
Learn about
lawn and
pesticide
alternatives
Give/
receive a
secondhand
gift
Stop
putting
plastic bags
in your
recycling
Bring your
reusable
bag to the
grocery store
Name:Email:Phone:
Return completed bingo cards to Fire Station 1 or the Edina Senior Center or submit online by Monday, Jan. 6, 2025
Proper Cart Spacing
Recycling, organics recycling and trash/garbage carts should be placed
at edge of driveway or yard, not on sidewalk or street, three feet apart.
3 feet 3 feet
Do not line up carts
behind each other
In winter, dig out a space
on your driveway or yard
edge to place carts
4360 Brookside Court’s Organics Committee Member
Terry Anderson has been passionate in helping lead
her neighbors into more sustainable recycling habits.
(Photo by Jason Heuer)
BY LAUREN SIEBENALER
4360 Brookside Court may only be one of
four buildings on the block, but it takes
the cake as the only building that has
organics recycling service, thanks to a
few passionate community members.
A committee of six people worked
together to bring organics collection to
their community of 60 condominium
owners. It’s estimated a third of the
building is participating, collecting about
50 pounds of organic material per week.
“At first, there were several key residents
behind it who were really passionate
about it, and I think that helped,” said
Terry Anderson, one of the committee
members. “I think you need to have a
few people who are really passionate and
understand it and want to help because
[they help get everyone on board]. I just
wish all the apartments and condos in
Edina would start doing it because I can’t
believe how much we get every week.”
Anderson has lived on Brookside Court
since 2020. Her passion for organics
recycling came from a 94-year-old woman
she was helping take care of when she
moved to the area. At that time, the
94-year-old would collect her organic
materials and take them to a drop site.
Anderson was inspired to make organics
collection happen in her own community.
The building’s organics committee initially
focused on outreach to their neighbors,
including working with their homeowners
association to create and print their
own marketing materials in addition to
distributing the City’s available marketing
materials and hosting meetings. Now the
group mostly manages the logistics, such
as rolling the bin out to the curb.
Anderson and her compost teammates
credit the City of Edina’s Organics
Recycling Coordinator, Twila Singh, for
being a supportive partner, providing
guidance on acceptable materials, free
bags and other resources to help the
program get started.
“We have several multifamily buildings
that have chosen to add organics,”
said Singh. “Each place has different
circumstances, but I work with them on
flexible programs to help even the smallest
of groups get started. It’s important to
get as many people involved as possible to
make a difference.”
“I just am really grateful that Edina is taking
a very active role in encouraging us to learn
and to try organics recycling,” Anderson
said. “I think we need everyone involved
in order to make it a success. We’re feeling
pretty proud of ourselves. It was a rocky
start with the learning curve, but I just
encourage people to grow and learn
through it.”
The committee has plans to spread their
knowledge and passion with nearby
buildings in the near future in hopes of
getting others involved.
For more information on
multifamily organics recycling, visit
EdinaMN.gov/MultifamilyOrganics.
Brookside Court Joins Multifamily Organics Recycling Movement
Resident Champions Find Success Through Education and Outreach
Multifamily Organics Recycling Tips
•Identify on-site champion(s) to lead
the organics initiative.
•Use the City’s organics marketing
materials to spread the word and host
informational meetings with Organics
Recycling Coordinator Twila Singh.
Organics recycling goes hand-in-hand
with good recycling habits.
•Use compostable bags to cut back on
flies and bugs attracted to food waste.
•Keep an extra trash bin close to the
organics collection spot so people can
remove any contaminants.
•Be flexible and understand that
each property is different and faces
different challenges in participating in
organics recycling.
6
7City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
Recycling Resources
Organics Drop-Off Locations
For residents who live in multifamily housing and do not have
access to curbside organics pickup, these drop-sites are available
24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year long.
•Edina Senior Center: 5280 Grandview Square
•Community Garden: Behind the Southdale YMCA on York
Avenue. The organics bin is located at the entrance of the
Community Gardens.
•Centennial Lakes Park: 7499 France Ave. S. The organics bin
is located on the first level of the northern Centennial Lakes
Park parking ramp, underneath HomeGoods.
•Lewis Park: 7300 Cahill Road
Free rolls of compostable bags are available at the Edina Senior
Center during business hours.
Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Locations
Paint and thinners, aerosols, rechargeable batteries, pesticides,
cleaning chemicals, automotive fluids, pool chemicals, LED
and fluorescent light bulbs.
•South Hennepin Recycling and Problem Waste Drop-off
Center, 1400 W. 96th St. Bloomington, or Hennepin County
Recycling Center and Transfer Station, 8100 Jefferson
Highway, Brooklyn Park
Medication Waste
Expired or unused prescription drugs, over-the-counter
medications, sharps (needles and lancets). Never put these
down the drain or toilet!
•Any Hennepin County Drop Box Location in Edina:
• CVS: 6905 York Ave.
• Fairview Pharmacy Edina Physicians Building, 6401 France Ave. S.
• Fairview Southdale Oncology Pharmacy: 6363 France Ave. S.
• Walgreens: 6975 York Ave. S.
hennepin.us/en/residents/recycling-hazardous-waste/
medicine-disposal
Bulk Recycling Drop-Off Locations
Cardboard, boxboard, furniture, carpets.
Visit hennepin.us/green-disposal-guide for acceptable items.
Cardboard & Boxboards
•Drop-Off Facility, 1400 W. 96th St., Bloomington
hennepin.us/green-disposal-guide/items/
boxes-cardboard-boxboard
Usable Furniture
•Bridging, 201 W. 87th St., Bloomington
bridging.org/give-stuff/acceptable-items-to-donate/
Usable Carpet
•Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, 2700 Minnehaha Ave.,
Minneapolis
restore.tchabitat.org/hours-locations
Usable used, clean, dry carpet and carpet pad only
•Hank’s Specialties, 2800 Vicksburg Lane N., Plymouth
hanksspec.com/
Electronics and E-Waste
Old computers, laptops, printers, cellphones, televisions.
•Repowered, 860 Vandalia St., St. Paul
getrepowered.org/certified-recycling/items-we-recycle/
String Lights Waste
Holiday light strings, including broken ones, and scrap metals.
•Express Metals, 8094 Excelsior Blvd., Hopkins
Yard, Certain Sod/Dirt
Visit smscorf.com for acceptable items, which can include holiday
decor such as wreaths, pumpkins and garlands.
•SMSC Organics Recycling Facility,
1905 Mystic Lake Drive S., Shakopee
– COMPILED BY GIOVANNA CONTRERAS
These items frequently are found in recycling bins but are not acceptable in those. Please dispose of them properly.
•Holiday lights, extension cords,
wire hangers, metal chains
•Garden hoses, shredded paper,
wrapping paper
•Metal Recycling (see above for Resources)
•Plastic bags, dry cleaning bags, thin
plastics (There are collection bins at
most grocery stores.)
Common Recycling Errors
•Batteries (Cover + and – terminals with
clear tape. Dispose of these at Hennepin
County drop-off facilities. See above
for Resources.)
952-927-8861 | mail@EdinaMN.govCity of Edina EdinaMN.gov8
UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday, Nov. 1
Start of Native American Heritage Month
Friday, Nov. 1, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
Braemar Golf Dome opens for the season
Saturday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m.-noon
Pumpkin Smash & Bash, Countryside Park
Sunday, Nov. 3, 6 p.m.
The Percolators Band, Edinborough Park
Tuesday, Nov. 5, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
Election Day.
Vote at precincts; no voting at City Hall
Wednesday, Nov. 6, 7 p.m.
City Council meeting, Edina City Hall
Friday, Nov. 8, 5:30 p.m.
Movie night, “Inside Out 2,”
Edinborough Park
Sunday, Nov. 10, 6 p.m.
Machinery Hill, Edinborough Park
Monday, Nov. 11
Veterans Day, City offices closed
Thursday, Nov. 14, 7:30 a.m.
Housing & Redevelopment Authority
meeting, Edina City Hall
Sunday, Nov. 17, 6 p.m.
Mark Yannie, Edinborough Park
Tuesday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m.
City Council meeting, Edina City Hall
Sunday, Nov. 24, 6 p.m.
First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band,
Edinborough Park
Thursday, Nov. 28
Thanksgiving, City offices closed
Friday, Nov. 29
City offices closed
Saturday, Nov. 30, 3-6 p.m.
Small Business Saturday & Lighting
Ceremony, 50th & France
Watch City Council, Housing &
Redevelopment Authority and Planning
Commission meetings live on Edina TV
(Comcast Channels 813 or 16) or online.
For a complete listing of meetings
and events, visit EdinaMN.gov./Meetings
Iskaan-garee koodhkan oo ku fiiri soomaali
EdinaMN.gov/SomaliEE
EdinaMN.gov/SpanishEE
Escanee este código para ver en español
Zoning Approvals Granted for
Redevelopment of Macy’s Furniture Site
Tax-Increment Financing Discussions to Continue This Month
A real estate development team has secured
City approvals to redevelop the nine-acre site
at 7235 France Ave. currently occupied by the
Macy’s Furniture & Mattress Gallery. The store
was originally constructed in 1977 when the
surrounding gravel and sand mining operations
began to wind down.
After 18 months of review and input, Enclave
Companies and Lifestyle Communities secured
City zoning approval to subdivide the site and
construct four new buildings. The existing
Macy’s store would relocate to a nearby site
in late 2025 and the existing building and
large surface parking lot will be razed.
The City Council approved the site plan
in September and granted final rezoning
approvals and final plat approval in October .
The approved site plan was arranged using the
principals in the City’s Greater Southdale Area
Plan. The new layout includes new roadways,
sidewalks and other public spaces. The existing
Nine Mile Creek bicycle trail will remain on the
southern edge of the property.
One of the new buildings on France Avenue
will be an 11-story condominium building with
restaurant/retail space on the first floor, Class A
office space on the mid-floors and 49 residential
condominiums on the upper levels. The second
building on France Avenue will be a seven-story,
mixed-use building with restaurant/retail space
on the first floor, professional office space on the
mid-floors and rental apartments on the upper
levels. The remaining pair of new buildings will
each be seven-story rental apartments adjacent
to the Edina Promenade. One building will also
include a small café facing the park.
Each new building will include internal parking
for residents, employees and customers. Most
of the new apartments and condominiums will
be rented or sold at upper-level market rates.
Ten percent of the units will be rented or sold
at affordable rates.
With the regulatory reviews completed, the
developers are securing private debt and equity
financing for this $297 million project. City
staff and City financial advisors are preparing a
tentative agreement to reimburse the developers
for a portion of the cost of the public items to be
constructed by the developer. The City Council
will discuss the creation of a new tax-increment
financing (TIF) district in the area and the
proposed TIF Agreement at its Nov. 19 meeting.
In other business last month, the Council:
•Proclaimed Nov. 1 “the Extra Mile Day” in
Edina, encouraging residents to “go the
extra mile” in personal effort, volunteerism
and service and acknowledge those who
are inspirational in their efforts.
•Amended the City Code concerning
the Heritage Preservation Commission,
established an escrow policy for contractors
working on homes in the Country Club
District or other heritage landmarks and
updated the Plan of Treatment for the
Country Club District. The changes will not go
into effect until the City’s Building Inspections
Division implements new permitting software.
•Approved a special assessment agreement
with Edina Morningside Community Church
for roadway reconstruction in the Morningside
Neighborhood. Initial calculations by staff
showed the church owed more than $25,000
for their share of the project. Parishioners
shared concerns about the cost with Council
Members, so staff reevaluated the assessment
and determined the amount was greater than
the anticipated benefit to the church. The
assessment was lowered to $18,295.20,
which can be paid over 15 years.
The Edina City Council will next
meet 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, and
Tuesday, Nov. 19. For more information,
visit EdinaMN.gov/meetings.
– COMPILED BY JENNIFER BENNEROTTE