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Home My WebLink AboutEditionEdina_March-2025-Web-2Edina Offers Introduction to City Government Residents to Learn the Basic Roles of City Departments Through Edina U BY KATE HEIMEL The City of Edina is offering a short new program to introduce residents to municipal government, “Edina U.” Each session will cover various aspects of local government and the roles different departments and individuals serve when it comes to helping the City run smoothly. The City has a goal of refining community engagement strategies. Edina U was developed in response, with the goals of providing an entry point for residents to learn about local government and get involved. A committee of nine staff members from across the organization planned the first Edina U. Special Projects & Engagement Manager MJ Lamon and Video Production Manager Scott Denfeld are two members of the committee working to develop the format, schedule and overall plan for the event. What is Edina U? Lamon: This is government 101 – a way for community members to learn about local government without a long commitment. There is no prerequisite to participate. This is the first time Edina is offering this learning opportunity. In the future, we are hoping to develop additional learning opportunities for past participants to learn even more about the City. When is it? Denfeld: 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays from April 17 to May 15. Sessions will be held at various City facilities and locations around Edina. What is the purpose? Lamon: We have several objectives: tell a story, develop trust and relationships, build an understanding of what the City does and offer a program with a low commitment. One of the main things we have been trying to focus on is how we can involve people in local government without them having to commit a lot of time. What will be offered? Denfeld: Sessions will offer information about Police, Fire, Parks & Recreation, Public Works, Planning, Public Health, Communications and more. There will be hands-on activities and opportunities to view and interact with various City equipment. Who can attend? Lamon: Anyone! We hope people who have not engaged with the City before will consider being a part of the program. Space is limited to 20 people. No previous involvement or education is necessary for participation. Do I have to attend every session? Denfeld: Attendance is not mandatory, but each of the five sessions will cover unique topics and areas of the City, so attending all sessions would be most beneficial. How do I sign up? Lamon: Applications opened in February and close on March 24. City staff will select participants through a lottery and notify all applicants by March 28. For more information on Edina U, contact MJ Lamon at 952-826-0360, MLamon@EdinaMN.gov. Engineering Services Manager Ross Bintner, Special Projects & Engagement Manager MJ Lamon, Video Production Manager Scott Denfeld and Lt. Jake Heckert are planning Edina U. Other employees leading the planning who are not pictures are Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager Thomas Brooks and Recreation Supervisor Amanda Clarke. (Photo by Lauren Siebenaler) To sign up, visit EdinaMN.gov/EdinaU or scan the QR code. City of Edina EdinaMN.gov 1 Edition: Edina MARCH 2025 Volume 12, Issue 3Strong FoundationCITY GOALS:Better TogetherReliable Service Livable City ¹» ¹» ¹º¹º ¹º ñ ñ ¹» ¹º ¹º ¹º ¹º ¹º ¹º ñ ¹» ñ ñ ñ ñTRACY AVEVERNON AVEWOODDALE AVEHANSEN RD70TH ST W FRANCE AVE SVALLEYVIEWRDMINNESOTA DRGLEASONRDEdinaCommunityCenter AvailAcademy Golden Years Montessori CityHall St Peter's LutheranChurch & School South ViewMiddle School NormandaleElementary ConcordSchool CorneliaSchool SouthdaleLibrary Fire Station Public Works & Park Maintenance Creek ValleySchool FireStation Valley View Middle School Edina High School Countryside School HighlandsSchool EdinaCommunity Library Our Lady of Grace Church & School M innehahaCreek NineMileCreek N i n e Mile Creek SouthdaleCenter Canadian Pacific RailroadCanadian Pacific RailroadBLAKE RDSCHAEFER RDV E RN O N A V ECAHILL RD66TH ST W YORK AVE SINTERLACHEN BLVD MALONEY AVE 4 4 T H S T W 50TH ST W 54TH ST W 58TH ST W 70TH ST W 76TH ST W DEWEY HILL RD VALLEY VIEW RD VALLEY VIEW RD 78TH ST W I-494 HWY 100HWY 169HWY 169HWY 100HWY 62 HWY 62 April 2019 ±Legend 0 2,000 Feet 6 7 6 Development Tracker The City of Edina Development Tracker includes reconstruction or new construction projects that have been completed in the past six months, are currently under construction, have filed a formal application to the City or have been substantially approved. For more information on development projects in Edina, visit BetterTogetherEdina.org/Development 2 1 The Finch Apartments ¹»¹»¹º¹º¹ºñ ñ¹»¹º¹º¹º¹º¹º¹ºñ ¹»ññ ññTRACY AVEVERNON AVEWOODDALE AVEHANSEN RD70TH ST W FRANCE AVE SVALLEYVIEWRDMINNESOTA DRGLEASONRDEdinaCommunityCenterCalvinChristianSchoolGoldenYearsMontessoriCityHallSt Peter's LutheranChurch & SchoolSouthviewJr HighNormandaleElementaryConcordSchool CorneliaSchool SouthdaleLibraryFireStationPublic Works &Park MaintenanceCreek ValleySchool FireStationValley ViewJr HighEdinaHighSchoolColonialChurchCountrysideSchool HighlandSchool PublicLibraryOur Lady ofGrace Church& School M in ne hahaCreekNineMileCreek N ine Mile Creek Canadian Pacific RailroadCanadian Pacific RailroadBLAKE RDSCHAEFER RDVERNON AVE CAHILL RD66TH ST W YORK AVE SINTERLACHEN BLVDMALONEY AVE 44TH ST W50TH ST W 54TH ST W58TH ST W70TH ST W 76TH ST W DEWEY HILL RD VALLEY VIEW RDVALLEY VIEW RD 78TH ST W I-494 HWY 100HWY 169HWY 169HWY 100HWY 62 HWY 62 April 2019 ±Legend 0 2,000 Feet 4 5 10 Craftsman on France 9 3 Fire Station 2 8 2 1 Former Public Works Site Location: 5146 Eden Ave. Developer: Edina Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA) and Jester Concepts Status: On Hold Preliminary approvals were granted for new housing, a restaurant and public park. The original housing developer was unable to secure financing and withdrew from the project. In the future, the Edina HRA will select a new housing developer. Updates to the site plan will be necessary to reflect a modified project. 2 70th & France/ U.S. Bank Site Location: 7001 and 7025 France Ave. Developer: Orion Investments, ESG and Mortenson Status: On Hold Phase 1 of this project was completed in early 2023 with the construction of a one-story, 6,500-square-foot U.S. Bank building with a drive-thru. The next phase includes a 24-story, 267- unit apartment building with 1,500 square feet of retail; a six- to seven- story, 189,430-square-foot office/ retail building; and an eight-level, freestanding 540-stall parking ramp with a 1,300-square-foot bike space. 3 Craftsman on France Location: 7250 France Ave. Developer: Orion Investments Status: Under Construction This site will be redeveloped in two phases. Phase 1 includes general sitework and a new five-story, 124,620-square-foot office building and coffee shop called Craftsman on France. Parking is provided underneath the building. The sitework includes a stormwater pond, sidewalks, public plazas, green space and landscaping. 4 7200 France Avenue Location: 7200 France Avenue Developer: Afton Park and Orion Investments Status: Preliminary Approval A sister project of 7250 France Ave. to be completed after construction of the Craftsman on France, the project will feature a new six-story apartment building with 153 rental units. Most of the housing will be market rate with 10% priced to be permanently affordable. 5 Enclave Mixed-Use Redevelopment Location: 7235 France Ave. Developer: Enclave Companies and Lifestyle Communities Status: Approved This project divides the 9-acre site into three separate lots. Four buildings were approved for construction on the site. The existing Macy’s store would relocate and the existing building will be razed. The four new buildings include: • Southwest parcel: 11-story building comprised of condominiums that include 49 senior units, 47,000-square-foot office space and 9,500 square feet of restaurant/retail space on the street level • Northwest parcel: Seven-story mixed-use building with 124 apartments, 20,000 square feet of office and 7,500 square feet of restaurant/retail space on the street level • Northeast pad: Seven-story building with 223 rental apartments • Southeast pad: Seven-story building with 176 rental apartments and a 4,100-square- foot restaurant Each building will include internal parking for residents, employees and customers. The street-level parking stalls would be available to the general public. The site plan would be arranged with new roadways, new sidewalks and new landscaping areas that are available to the general public. The existing Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail segment will remain on the southern edge of the property. 6 Edina Endodontics Location: 7300 Metro Blvd. Developer: Hempel Real Estate and Edina Endodontics Status: Approved The five-acre parcel will be subdivided to allow for construction of a new single-story, 6,000-square- foot commercial building to be occupied by a dental clinic. There are no changes proposed to the existing office building on the site. 7 South Metro Public Safety Training Facility Location: 7525 Braemar Blvd. Developer: City of Edina Status: Under Construction A 5,536-square-foot tactical building is being constructed on the the southern edge of the property. The project will create additional training space for first responders. 8 Fire Station 2 Location: 4401 76th St. W. Developer: City of Edina Status: Under Construction The City of Edina started construction of a new 33,578-square-foot Fire Station 2 in the spring of 2024. The building will provide operational space for the Edina Fire Department and the City’s Public Health Division. The new station is anticipated to open late 2025. 9 The Finch Apartments Location: 4620 77th Street W. Developer: Solhem Companies Status: Under Construction A new seven-story, 276-unit apartment building is under construction. Space for future retail tenants is included on the first floor. Most of the units will be priced at market rates and 10% of the units will have rents affordable at 50% Area Median Income levels. The site work also includes new sidewalks and green space as well as a new roadway that will serve as a main entry point to Fred Richards Park. The project will be completed in early summer 2025. 10 Edina Grand Apartments Location: 3400 Edinborough Way Developer: Alpha Investment Group Status: Approved The 133-unit hotel, previously known as the Marriott Residence Inn, is being converted to a 136- unit apartment building. Rents are anticipated below 80% Area Median Income (AMI) levels with some affordable to 60% AMI. The project is expected to be completed in early 2026. 3City of Edina EdinaMN.gov 952-927-8861 | mail@EdinaMN.govCity of Edina EdinaMN.gov4 UPCOMING EVENTS Saturday, March 1 Start of Women’s History Month Saturday, March 1, 9 a.m. Mothering Series, South Metro Public Safety Training Facility Tuesday, March 4, 11:30 a.m. State of the Community, Braemar Golf Course Tuesday, March 4, 7 p.m. City Council meeting, Edina City Hall Thursday, March 6, 4 p.m. Dual Citizen Brewing Company tasting, Edina Liquor – 50th & France Saturday, March 8 International Women’s Day Thursday, March 13, 7:30 a.m. Housing & Redevelopment Authority meeting, Edina City Hall Friday, March 14, 4 p.m. Keeper’s Heart whiskey tasting, Edina Liquor – Southdale Friday, March 14, 5:30 p.m. Movie night, “Kung Fu Panda 4,” Edinborough Park Saturday, March 15, 9 a.m. City Council Retreat, South Metro Public Safety Training Facility Sunday, March 16, 6 p.m. Nova Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, Edinborough Park Tuesday, March 18, 7 p.m. City Council meeting, Edina City Hall Sunday, March 23, 6 p.m. Capri Big Band, Edinborough Park Thursday, March 27, 7:30 a.m. Housing & Redevelopment Authority meeting, Edina City Hall Thursday, March 27, 10:30 a.m. Teddy Bear Band 40th Anniversary Show, Edinborough Park Sunday, March 30, 6 p.m. First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band, Edinborough Park Council Formally Amends 2025 Budget Half-Mile of Street Work, Web Feature and Some Equipment Removed from Budget City Manager Scott Neal has trimmed the City’s 2025 budget by 1 percent, as requested by the City Council when it approved the levy increase in December 2024. The City Council approved a formal budget amendment at its Feb. 4 meeting, finalizing a total levy of $59 million, a 8.44% levy increase for 2025. The approval included a spending reduction package totaling $545,000. Some of the items removed from the budget include a half-mile of the Public Works Department’s mill-and- overlay program, the chatbot feature on the City’s website, eliminating or delaying a revision of the Southdale District Design Guidelines, and reducing money allocated for equipment replacement. The early 2026-2027 budget projections, with current services levels and planned projects, require a significant levy increase that is not palatable to members of the City Council. The Finance Department is leading the effort to get ahead in the budget planning process to examine all options for reducing those projections. Two work sessions were held with the City Council in February to provide members with a better understanding of each department’s services before a retreat to talk more about the budget in March. In other business last month, the Council: •Approved a partial reroofing of the Public Works & Park Maintenance Facility. Berwald Roofing will replace the roofing materials above the office portion of the building, which has experienced numerous leaks each year during spring snow melts and heavy periods of rain. •Provided non-binding feedback on a possible housing project on Vernon Avenue. Abundance Properties presented a sketch plan to demolish the single-family home at 5516 Vernon Ave. and replace it with four townhomes on the one-acre site. To move forward, the developer would need to request a Comprehensive Plan amendment, rezoning and site plan review. •Approved additional restoration work at Bredesen Park. The project began in 2024 with funding from a Conservation Partners Legacy Grant. The contract the Council approved with Davey Resource Group includes restoration in an additional 13 acres of the park and leverages more grant funding. The project is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2026. •Approved additional restoration work at Braemar Park to be funded with local sales and use tax. Restoration began in 2024 with removal and control of invasive species. The latest phase of work will include woody and herbaceous invasive vegetation removal and control, native seeding and planting and ecological management. RES Great Lakes was awarded the contract, which goes through 2028. •Approved the purchase of 12 streetlights along York Avenue south of Hazelton Road. The lights will be installed in conjunction with the York Avenue sanitary sewer trunk pipe expansion later this year to minimize disruption. The Council’s next regular meetings will be held 7 p.m. March 4 and 18. For more information, visit EdinaMN.gov. – COMPILED BY JENNIFER BENNEROTTE 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/Calendar. ***ECRWSS***Residential Customer PRESORT STD U.S. POSTAGEPAIDTWIN CITIES MNPermit No. 3932 Iskaan-garee koodhkan oo ku fiiri soomaali EdinaMN.gov/SomaliEE EdinaMN.gov/SpanishEE Escanee este código para ver en español