HomeMy WebLinkAboutEditionEdina_Sept2015Volume 2, Issue 9
After more than a year of construction and much
anticipation, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at
5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Pamela Park.
“The grand opening is a time to celebrate the new
facility,” said Parks & Recreation Assistant Director
Susan Faus. “We’re looking forward to the ribbon
cutting and showing the community around.”
Since the spring of 2014, the park at 4303 W. 58th
St. has been updated in many ways, including a new
synthetic turf field that includes a weather-proofed
retaining wall around the perimeter to allow seating for
sporting events.
“It is one of the most heavily used parks in Edina
because of all the sports going on,” explained Faus.
After taking a break from construction in the fall of 2014
due to weather conditions, the renovations continued
in the spring of 2015. These included a new sand peat
field, a regraded grass field, expansion of three parking
lots and extended wide-paved trails. In addition, the
park received wetland seeding, two concrete slabs for
concession trailers to accommodate food trucks, and
new curb-and-gutter pavement on the north drive.
“We had a bit of a problem with traffic in and around
the park; there wasn’t quite enough parking,” said
Faus. “With the additional parking stalls, it will
accommodate the traffic from sporting events.”
One of the largest updates to the park is the new
shelter building, which was completely rebuilt.
The new facility features restrooms, large seating
area, and storage for park maintenance and athletic
associations. It will be used as a warming house in
the winter and is available for rent for events such as
birthdays and reunions.
“We are thrilled to see the master plan of Pamela Park
finally come to fruition. The renovation is a wonderful
balance of environmental protection and enhancement,
much needed athletic fields and amenities like trails,
safer park access, improved parking and a new shelter
building that will be utilized by all residents of Edina,”
said Parks & Recreation Director Ann Kattreh. “It’s so
rewarding to already see residents enjoying the new
and improved amenities!”
For more information, contact Faus at
sfaus@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0390.
The collection of public art at
Centennial Lakes Park is expanding
with three new sculptures recognizing
late Edina-resident Donald Nyrop,
former CEO of Northwest Airlines
(NWA), and the contributions the
men and women of NWA gave to the
growth of commercial aviation.
Nick Legeros, Edina resident and
winner of the 2014 Public Art People’s
Choice Award for his sculpture
“Leaping Hare,” was commissioned
to create the sculptures. Legeros is
the artist behind many other popular
Edina sculptures, including “Reflecting
on Friendship” outside the Hughes
Pavilion at Centennial Lakes Park
and “The McCurdy Bench” and
“Treehouse” at Highlands Elementary School.
The three new pieces are aviation themed to honor
former NWA employees and Nyrop and will be located
on the east side of the park. The first bronze sculptures
installed, “Dreams Take Flight,” are of a 5-year-old
boy and a 10-year-old girl perched on separate stones
dreaming of the future of aviation while playing with
model airplanes, a Convair 580 and a Boeing 747.
Another sculpture is scheduled to be installed in
October and is called “The Glamorous Days of Flight.”
It depicts a family boarding an aircraft in the 1960s, when
flying was novel and prestigious.
“After interviewing past employees, most talked about
when they first started back in the ‘60s – everybody from
the pilots down to the guys who tossed
the baggage around … felt that working
in the airlines was kind of a glamorous
position,” explained Legeros. “And when
people flew back then, they dressed
up, they looked great and it was a big
deal to fly. So, when I had to represent
40,000 people, across all these different
occupations, I really wanted to show what
they delivered, which was that elegant
experience of flight.”
The Edina Community Foundation served
as the charitable giving partner for this
enterprise, collecting money for the
sculptures from former NWA employees.
The donors have also offered to “adopt”
the section of the park where the
sculptures are located.
“A couple of years ago, [a former airline employee] came
to us with a plan to memorialize Northwest Airlines as
a corporate home for many people, including its CEO,
Don Nyrop,” explained Edina Community Foundation
Executive Director Dick Crockett. “His plan [came to
include] a series of sculptures in Centennial Lakes Park
along the walkway and an area of the park set aside for
these sculptures.”
Legeros worked hard to meet the donors’ objectives.
“[These sculptures] pay tribute to all these men and
women to an airline that doesn’t exist anymore and … if
I can get one person to think of Northwest Airlines, then
I’ve done my job with these sculptures,” said Legeros.
City Finishes Renovations at Pamela Park
Northwest Airlines Employees Recognized With
New Sculptures at Centennial Lakes
SEPTEMBER 2015
The City’s next online discussion is now available
at www.SpeakUpEdina.org. The discussion, which
focuses on parks and programming, is available until
Nov. 1.
The City has more than 30 neighborhood parks
around the city, each unique in its own way with
different amenities. Throughout the year, but
primarily in the summer, the Parks & Recreation
Department offers a variety of programming
opportunities from Fab 4 & 5, Summer Playgrounds
and sports camps to art classes, tennis lessons and
adaptive recreation.
In this discussion, the City asks what residents
think about Edina’s neighborhood parks, what
amenities they like and what they think could be
added or improved, what they think about the Parks
& Recreation Department’s current offerings of
programing and what classes and activities they’d
like to see added in the future. The feedback from
this discussion will be compiled and presented to the
City Council Nov. 17.
This month, the City has been gathering feedback
on Styrofoam containers. Questions asked include
whether or not residents think Styrofoam containers
should be banned in Edina; whether or not they
think offering other non-Styrofoam containers are
just as harmful as continuing use of Styrofoam; and
if they would reuse, recycle or compost containers
if Styrofoam were banned. The feedback from this
discussion will be compiled and presented to the
City Council Oct. 20.
To weigh in on a discussion, visit SpeakUpEdina.org.
Speak Up, Edina!
4801 W. 50th St. , Edina, MN 55424
952-927-8861
mail@EdinaMN.gov
www.EdinaMN.gov
The City of Edina
Legend:
Infrastructure
Commercial and Mixed-Use Redevelopment
Workforce
Communication and Engagement
Community Vision
Aviation Noise
Council Approves Preliminary Budget, Levy
At its Sept. 1 meeting, the Edina City Council approved
the 2016 preliminary City operating budget and property
tax levy. A public hearing will be held 7 p.m. Tuesday,
Dec. 1, on the final budget and levy.
The proposed maximum tax levies for 2016 is $31.8
million. The total of all levies would increase by 7.07
percent. By setting the preliminary budget and levy,
the City must submit it to the County Auditor so parcel-
specific notices can be sent in November.
The budget includes $25 million for the City’s general
fund, $1.68 million for the construction fund, $20,000
for the arts and culture fund and $4.5 million for
outstanding capital improvement plan and Housing &
Redevelopment Authority bonds, which are debts issued
for improvements.
The budget is considered “status quo.” Expenses
are tracking about the same as the last budget cycle;
however, revenues have decreased. Due in large part to
revenue loss at Edina Liquor, taxes will need to increase
to retain current City service levels.
“The proposed budget for 2016 extends our existing
staffing and service levels from this year to next year with
no significant changes,” said City Manager Scott Neal.
“Council asked staff to look at alternative budget plans
that would decrease our proposed property tax levy.
We’re going to carry out that directive, but decreasing
our budget likely means decreasing our service levels,
and that won’t be popular either.”
Finance Director Eric Roggeman said there are several
challenges that affect the preliminary budget, including
wage increases, health insurance premiums, increase
of one full-time employee since the 2014-2015 budget
was adopted, expected decrease of Centennial Lakes
and Edinborough reserve funds, increased service
expectations for all departments, and lower profits from
Edina Liquor.
The transfer from Edina Liquor’s profits to the City’s
general fund is expected to be about $665,000 short.
“While Edina Liquor is still profitable, it’s less profitable
due to increased competition,” Roggeman said. A
portion of the decrease is absorbed by the general
fund while the rest means less money is transferred to
enterprise facilities, he explained.
The preliminary budget does not include new staff
requested by directors, GIS upgrades, the purchase
of Weber Woods and many work plan items,
Roggeman said.
For a median-valued single-family home in Edina priced
at about $457,300, the 7.07 percent levy increase would
mean a 6 percent property tax increase of the City’s
portion. This would equate to a $71 annual increase or
about $6 per month. The total of the City’s portion of
property taxes paid for a median-valued home would be
about $106 per month for city services.
Roggeman expects that Edina will continue to have
the lowest tax rate among our neighboring cities. For a
single family home, about 20 percent of property taxes
go to the City.
At the meeting, the City Council requested that staff
also develop budgets with 5 and 6 percent increases.
Those budget models, along with any reduction in
spending or service levels, will be presented to the City
Council later this fall.
The City Council will hold a public hearing and finalize
the budget and levy in December. The final levy may
be less than or equal to, but not higher than, the
preliminary levy.
For more information, contact Roggeman at
952-826-0414.
School is in full swing and the outdoor activity
around schools has increased. As a part of the
2015 “Focus In” campaign, Edina patrol officers
will focus efforts on school speed zones during
the month of October.
“Drivers entering school zones are mandated to
reduce their speeds when children are present,”
said Sgt. Nate Mendel. “If caught speeding in a
school zone, drivers must pay a $378 fine.”
According to the Minnesota Department of
Transportation, “the school zone is legally
defined as the section of road which abuts the
school grounds, or where there is an established
school crossing with advance school signs that
designate the area.”
The violations the Police Department “Focus In”
on have seasonal relevance, affect the quality of
life in Edina or pose safety risks to residents. All
statutes are enforced year-round, but additional
attention is paid to the focus of the month.
Each month, patrol officers focus police efforts on
a specific statutory violation in order to educate
the public and gain compliance. Education
includes a warning to those who violate the
statutes or codes. In extenuating circumstances,
a citation may be issued. Last October, 141 verbal
or written warnings were given out.
So far this year, Police have focused on
obstructed vision, failure to signal, unsafe
equipment, failure to display headlights, bike
safety, following too close, pedestrian safety,
child and seatbelt safety and texting and driving.
In the coming months, police will “Focus In” on
night and snow parking and the “move over” law.
For more information, contact the Edina Police
Department at 952-826-1610.
Police ‘Focus In’ on
School Speed Zones
Nick Legeros casts his bronze
sculptures through a labor-intensive
process known as “lost-wax” casting.
This method allows the sculptor to
capture intricate details in wet clay
before working with metal alloys.
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edina STREETSMARTS
Be aware when turning left.
Made possible through
support from the Statewide
Health Improvement Program, Minnesota Department of Health.
SEPTEMBER 2015
Business/Project: Grandview/Former Public
Works site
Location: 5146 Eden Ave.
Developer: Unknown
Status: In Progress
The City of Edina is in the process of determining
what mix of public and private uses could best
work on the site and what a new development on
the site could look like.
Business/Project: The Link
Location: 4901, 1815, 4820, 4600, 4660, 4510, 4530,
4550 W. 77th St. and 7600 Parklawn Ave.
Developer: Hillcrest Development
Status: Unknown
The developer plans to redevelop the 43-acre site
in southeast Edina. The plan may include 1.4 million
square feet of office space, 40,000 square feet of
retail and a 400-room hotel. The six-story tower at
4640 W. 77th St. was torn down late last year.
Business/Project: Braemar Field and the
Backyard Rink
Location: 7501 Ikola Way
Developer: City of Edina
Status: Complete
This project is complete. The project included
an outdoor, covered refrigerated ice rink and a
seasonally domed 100,000-square-foot athletic field.
Business/Project: Grandview Townhomes
Location: 5109-5125 W. 49th St.
Developer: Hunt Associates
Status: On Hold
The developer planned to raze the existing
buildings and construct a new 17-unit attached
housing development on the 1.43-acre site.
Business/Project: 50th & France Ramps
Location: 50th & France
Developer: City of Edina
Status: Complete
In 2014, the City of Edina completed upgrades to
the parking ramps at 50th & France, including new
paint, parking surfaces, LED lighting, way-finding
signage and other maintenance. The City also
acquired property at 3930 and 3944 W. 49 1/2 St.
to expand parking. The City is currently weighing
its options with the sites.
Business/Project: Lunds & Byerlys
Location: 7171 France Ave. S.
Developer: Lund Food Holdings
Status: Complete
Construction is complete on a 47,000-square-foot
Byerly’s store. The new store opened in fall 2014.
Business/Project: 71 France
Location: 7161 France Ave.
Developer: Lund Food Holdings
Status: In Progress
Construction is under way on a seven-story, 109-
unit apartment building with 10,450 square feet of
retail; another six-story, 77-unit apartment building
with 10,711 square feet of retail; and a six-story,
48-unit apartment building with 11,162 square feet
of retail. All three buildings will include two levels
of underground parking.
Business/Project: Think Bank
Location: 3655 Hazelton Road
Developer: HTG Architects
Status: Complete
A restaurant was razed and replaced with an
8,441-square-foot, two story bank. The bank
includes a drive-thru, meeting/training room,
employee lounge and a rooftop patio.
Business/Project: Fairview Southdale Hospital
Location: 6401 France Ave. S.
Developer: Brian Lubben, Walker & Associates/
Fairview Southdale Hospital
Status: Complete
Construction finished last month on a new
89,000-square-foot expansion of the hospital’s
emergency room.
Business/Project: Aurora on France
Location: 4005 W. 65th St. & 6500 France Ave.
Developer: Aurora Investments, LLC/Mount
Development.
Status: In Progress
Construction has begun on a 220,000-square-foot,
five-story, 195-unit senior care building. The plan
includes one level of underground parking.
Business/Project: Southdale Medical Center
Location: 6545 France Ave. S.
Developer: Oak Development
Status: In Progress
The developer is expanding the existing building
and constructing a four-story, 60,000-square-foot
addition and expanding the parking ramp. This
project is nearing completion.
Business/Project: The Onyx
Location: 6725 York Ave. S.
Developer: Lennar
Status: In Progress
The developer razed the existing commercial
building and single-family homes and is in the
very beginning stage of construction. A six-story,
296,000-square-foot building with 242 luxury
apartments and 12,000 square feet of first-floor
retail are planned.
Business/Project: One Southdale Place
Location: One Southdale Place
Developer: Stuart Co.
Status: Complete
Construction is finished on 3-, 5- and 10-story
apartment buildings containing 232 luxury units.
Business/Project: Restaurant
Location: 7700 France Ave.
Developer: Frauenshuh, Inc./Parasole Restaurant
Holdings
Status: Approved
The developer received approval to build
a 7,600-square-foot freestanding seafood
restaurant. The building will have seating for up
to 242 diners and an outdoor seating area and bar
along France Avenue.
Commercial Development Tracker
In this commercial development tracker, the City of Edina includes commercial reconstruction projects or new constructions that have been completed in the last 12 months, are
currently under construction, have filed a formal application to the City, have been approved or have presented a non-binding sketch plan to either the Planning Commission or the
City Council. For more information, visit www.EdinaMN.gov/Planning or contact the Community Development Department Planning Division at 952-826-0369.
Business/Project: Taco Bell
Location: 3210 Southdale Circle
Developer: Border Foods
Status: Complete
The Taco Bell building was razed and rebuilt in
2014. The new building is slightly smaller and more
modern than its predecessor.
Business/Project: Commercial Development
Location: 5100 Edina Industrial Blvd.
Developer: DJR Architects
Status: Unknown
The developer is proposing to tear down the
existing 20,388-square-foot office building and
replacing it with a new 16,000-square-foot retail
building with a drive-thru.
Business/Project: Commercial Development
Location: 5108 Edina Industrial Blvd.
Developer: Frauenshuh Commercial Real Estate
Status: In Progress
Construction is underway. The developer plans to
build a new 10,000-square-foot retail building with
a drive-thru.
Business/Project: 66 West
Location: 3330 W. 66th St.
Developer: Beacon Interfaith Housing
Status: Planned
The City approved a rezoning and development
plan to redevelop the 18,179-square-foot former
bank. The developer plans to remodel and
expand the building into 39 studio apartment
units for young adults who have experienced
homelessness. The proposed addition is 11,888
square feet.
Business/Project: Yorkshire of Edina
Location: 7151 York Ave.
Developer: Mesaba Capital
Status: In Progress
Construction is under way on a new four-story,
100-unit senior assisted living building west of the
existing Yorktown Continental Living apartments.
Thirty of the units will be used for memory care.
Business/Project: 7200 LCC
Location: 7200 France Ave.
Developer: DJR Architects
Status: Unknown
The developer proposed to tear down the existing
office building on the 3.51-acre site and build a
four- or five-story mixed-use development. The
building could include 160 luxury apartments,
20,000 square feet of retail space and two levels of
underground parking. The developer is currently
revising its plans, but has not made a formal
application to the City.
Business/Project: Restaurant
Location: 4500 Valley View Road
Developer: Shea/Paul Dzubnar
Status: Unknown
The developer proposed to remodel the
existing vacant gas station into a restaurant. The
remodeling would include a 500-square-foot
restaurant for a kitchen and trash enclosure,
and a 640-square-foot, three-season patio. The
restaurant would be designed for 80-86 seats,
including the bar area.
Business/Project: Braemar Golf Course
Location: 6364 John Harris Drive
Developer: City of Edina
Status: In Progress
After entering into an agreement with Tin Fish, the
clubhouse at Braemar Golf Course was renovated.
The project included new lighting and electrical
infrastructure, a new entrance and patio and
updated banquet room bathrooms. Additionally,
the course’s driving range is being expanded
and improved and the executive course is being
reconstructed as a Par 3. They are expected to
open in May and June 2016, respectively. In the
fall of 2016, the 27-hole regulation course will be
closed and converted to a better 18-hole course.
Business/Project: Bank of America
Location: 6868 France Ave.
Developer: Bank of America
Status: Proposed
The developer proposed to replace the existing
building with a one-story, 7,190-square-foot,
LEED-certified Bank of America with a drive-up
ATM. Merrill Lynch would also be a tenant in
the building, but each business would have a
separate, dedicated entrance.
Business/Project: Walgreens
Location: 4916 France Ave. S.
Developer: NLD Edina LLC
Status: Proposed
The developer proposes to tear down the existing
Walgreens store and build a new 14,265-square-
foot Walgreens with four levels of residential
above with 64 apartment units. The plan proposes
two levels of underground parking for the
apartments and 20 enclosed surface parking
spaces for the store.
Business/Project: Former Best Buy Site
Location: 3101 W. 66th St. and 6612 Xerxes Ave.
Developer: Collage Architects
Status: Proposed
The developer proposes to remove the existing
structure and build a six-story, 210-unit apartment
building on the two-acre site. The building would
have one level of underground parking and a
3,800-square-foot restaurant.
Business/Project: Northwest Corner of 66th
Street and Xerxes Ave.
Location: 6550 Xerxes Ave. and 3250 W. 66th St.
Developer: DLC Residential
Status: Proposed
The developer proposed a two-stage
development with this site. If approved, the
existing office building at 3250 W. 66th Street
would be razed and replaced with a six- or seven-
story, 230-unit apartment building. In a second
phase of development, the office building at 6550
Xerxes Ave. would also be razed and a five- or
six-story, 145 unit apartment building would be
built. Each building includes one level on at-grade
parking.
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