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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEditionEdinaMay2018Emerald Ash Borer Arrives in Edina Anyone with Untreated Ash Trees Should Take Action Emerald Ash Borer, an insect pest that has killed millions of Ash trees in the United States, has been found in Edina. Anyone who has an Ash tree on their property is urged to contact a private arborist or tree company to have their tree inspected and discuss options. Signs of Emerald Ash Borer include woodpecker damage and bark cracks that reveal S-shaped tunnels underneath. The pest only attacks Ash trees. “We are at the point where our infestation is new enough that we still have options,” City Forester Luther Overholt said. Chemical treatments that kill the larvae are available, but they must be started before the larvae do too much damage. The treatment must be repeated every two to three years for the lifetime of the tree. Another option is to remove the Ash tree and replace it with another tree species. Once the larvae eat enough of the inner bark, preventing water and nutrients from reaching all parts of the tree, there is no saving an Ash tree. The arrival of Emerald Ash Borer was expected. The borer has been found in trees in surrounding cities, including Minneapolis, Richfield, Bloomington and Eden Prairie. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has lots of resources about Emerald Ash Borer, including a guide to help people identify an Ash tree, signs of infestation and a registry of licensed tree care professionals. Learn more by visiting www.mda.state.mn.us/eab. • ‘ Edition: Edina MAY 2018 Volume 5, Issue 5 Nine Mile Creek Trail Grand Opening Celebration June 3 Bicycle Rides, Family Activities and Food Will Be at Fred Richards Park Activities, rides, food and fun are on the schedule for the Sunday, June 3, grand opening celebration of the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail that winds through Edina. Speakers and a ribbon cutting will kick off the event at 10 a.m. at Fred Richards Park, 7640 Parklawn Ave. The Three Rivers Park District, which developed the 15-mile multi-use trail, will have its Park On the Go van full of activities, a freestanding climbing wall, group bike rides along the new trail and other events for all ages. Picnic food such as hot dogs and hamburgers will be served. The trail stretches into Hopkins, Minnetonka, Edina and Richfield and is designed to be ideal for walking, running, biking, skating or pushing a stroller. It is fully accessible for those with disabilities. “It’s an awesome trail for recreation with its views of the creek and nature, plus it’s a great link to the trail system for commuting,” said Jason McGrew King, spokesman for the Three Rivers Park District. The District manages more than 27,000 acres of parks and trails. While the trail winds through Fred Richards Park, the Three Rivers Park District is responsible for building and maintaining the trail. Bring your bikes, skates or walking shoes for the grand opening. Parking will be available near the former clubhouse building off Parklawn. If you can’t make the start, drop by anytime before 2 p.m. to join the celebration. For more information, visit threeriverspark.org or call 763-559-9000. Photo by Katie Laux 4801 W. 50th St. Edina, MN 55424 | 952-927-8861 | mail@EdinaMN.govCity of Edina EdinaMN.gov Bring your bicycles or walking shoes to the grand opening celebration of the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail through Edina. While the trail already is in use, the food and fun celebration is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 3, at Fred Richards Park, 7640 Parklawn Ave.Photo by Dietrich NissenGet Revved Up for Vehicle Day Climb into the driver’s seat and get up close to fire trucks, police cars, garbage trucks, snow plows, buses and more at Vehicle Day! The free event will be held rain or shine 10 a.m. to noon June 2 at Southdale Center. Don’t forget your camera! Businesses, visitors and residents near 50th & France are excited the North Ramp is now open and available for parking. The ramp closed in January and re-opened a week ahead of schedule on March 22. “Despite some difficult winter conditions, the crew at Adolfson & Peterson Construction has kept on task and was able to reopen portions of the North Ramp earlier than expected,” said Economic Development Manager Bill Neuendorf. “The schedule has been critical so that parking remains available for both employees and customers who enjoy visiting the 100-plus businesses at 50th & France.” The construction is part of a major upgrade along Market Street to enhance the 50th & France business district. The North Ramp is being expanded as part of the project and is on schedule to be completed in September. Private developers began demolition on the Center Ramp April 16. The work is expected to be completed by mid-May. The demolition is the start of a new project called Nolan Mains, which, when completed in fall of 2019, will deliver 100 new apartment homes, new retail space and underground public parking centered around a new public plaza with pedestrian walkways. “While the North Ramp was closed, the additional level was built, but it is still being finalized and is expected to reopen sometime this summer. In the meantime, the lower levels are available for use,” said Project Communication Coordinator Pat Tucker. “When all construction is completed in the fall of 2019, a person will be able to park in the North Ramp, the Center Ramp public parking area and the South Ramp. At that point, we’ll have more parking than we ever had before.” In the meantime, the City and developers are focusing on installing ample wayfinding signs to ensure visitors have no difficulty reaching their destinations. There is also an on-site supervisor, Jeff Hanson, who is available to visitors who are at 50th & France and see a problem or need help with directions. Jeff Hanson can be reached at 612-281-8396. Throughout the project, the City and the developer, Frana Construction, are offering free valet parking on Halifax Avenue near 50th Street or Market Street and France Avenue (in front of Spalon Montage). Valet service is provided from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays through September. Tipping is not expected. Those using valet can also call ahead to have their car brought around or to check availability at 651-333-0771. Handicapped parking is also available on Halifax Avenue near Coconut Thai, inside the North Ramp and on Market Street near Spalon Montage. “The tips for valet have already been paid for by the City and the developer, but some people still feel odd about not giving a tip to the valet staff. So, now we have a program for visitors to take a token from the store they visit and present that to the valet person and that person can turn them in for additional financial compensation,” said Tucker. To stay updated, sign up for City Extra email notifications online at EdinaMN.gov/CityExtra. To view renderings of the project and learn more, visit EdinaMN.gov/50thandFrance. For more information about this project, contact Tucker at ptucker@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-1605. Submitted IllustrationNorth Ramp Open at 50th & France Parking Available in North Ramp as Construction Begins for Nolan Mains Edition: Edi na MAY 2018 4801 W. 50th St. Edina, MN 55424 | 952-927-8861 | mail@EdinaMN.govCity of Edina EdinaMN.gov Luxury High-Rise Apartment Building Planned for Greater Southdale Area 186 Apartments Include Micro Units Ideal for Singles A high-rise luxury apartment building with underground parking is planned for the former Guitar Center site at 3650 Hazelton Road. At its April 17 meeting, the Edina City Council approved a Comprehensive Plan amendment and granted preliminary rezoning and development plan approvals for the proposed housing project. The proposed building would be 19 stories with 186 dwelling units and 198 parking spaces. The proposed height of the tower is 218 feet – approximately 20 feet less than the Westin Edina Galleria. The developer plans to meet the City’s Affordable Housing Policy by providing a dedication of $1.86 million for affordable housing elsewhere in the city. In addition, the proposed building includes small one-bedroom studio or “micro” units, ideal for college graduates, young professionals, corporate transfers and single empty nesters. In other business in April, the City Council: • Began plans for a pilot dockless bike sharing program. LimeBike will likely begin service in early June, with the trial going through the end of the year. There will be no cost to the City for the program. • Approved an agreement with the Edina Housing Foundation for the funding of an Affordable Housing Manager. The Foundation will provide fiscal support to the City for the position that will phase out as the City has time to establish new revenue streams to support it into the future. The Affordable Housing Manager will be part of the Community Development Department. • Approved the 44th & France Small Area Plan to provide guidance for important issues like redevelopment, streetscape and aesthetic treatment, vehicle parking and pedestrian and bicycle facilities for the area. The small area plan is part of the larger city-wide Comprehensive Plan Update. The Council will next meet 7 p.m. May 15. For more information, visit EdinaMN.gov. Upcoming Events Recurring Events: Music in the Amphitheater, Edinborough Park Amphitheater 7 p.m. Sundays Entertainment in the Amphitheater, Edinborough Park Amphitheater Noon Thursdays Tuesday, May 1, 7 p.m. City Council, Edina City Hall Wednesday, May 2, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Blood Drive, Public Works & Park Maintenance Facility Thursday, May 3, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Taste of Edina, Westin Edina Galleria Saturday, May 5, 10-11:30 a.m. Barnyard Babies, Edinborough Park Saturday, May 5, 10 a.m.-noon Arden Park Design Open House, Arden Park Saturday, May 5, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Callaway Fitting Event, Braemar Golf Course Driving Range Sunday, May 6, 1-2:30 p.m. Days of Remembrance, Edina City Hall Tuesday, May 8, 5-7 p.m. Arden Park Design Open House, Edina City Hall Saturday, May 12, noon-4 p.m. Fix-It Clinic, Edina Senior Center Tuesday, May 15, 7 p.m. City Council, Edina City Hall Wednesday, May 16, 4-8 p.m. Pizza with Police, Rosland Park Saturday, May 19, 9 a.m. Walk with the Mayor, Rosland Park Saturday, May 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Public Works Open House, Public Works & Park Maintenance Facility Saturday, May 19, 10-11 a.m. Armed Forces Day Ceremony, Utley Park Wednesday, May 23, All Day Adult Kickball League begins, Van Valkenburg Park Monday, May 28 Memorial Day, City Hall closed Thursday, May 31, 1:30 p.m. K-9 Memorial Dedication Ceremony, Edina City Hall Saturday, June 2, 10 a.m.-noon Vehicle Day, Southdale Center Parking Lot between One Southdale Place and Herberger’s 400 Hot dogs to be served Trucks to touch 22 325 Free kids’ plastic hard hats to be distributed Displays 8 BY THE NUMBERS Public Works Open House Learn what it takes to keep Edina orderly and functional at the Public Works Open House. The Public Works, Park Maintenance and Engineering staff will demonstrate some of the unique tools and technology used by the City. There is no charge to attend the event. It will be held rain or shine. Saturday, May 19 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Public Works & Park Maintenance Facility 7450 Metro Blvd., EdinaFile PhotoCentennial Lakes Park Putting Course is best for ages 8 years and older and all abilities are welcome to play. The opening of the putting course, lawn games area and paddleboat rentals are weather dependent, so it’s a good idea to check first before you head out to the park. Braemar Academy 9, Centennial Lakes Putting Course Opening Snowy Winter Delays Start of Golf Season; Paddleboats, Lawn Games Coming Spring is here, temperatures are rising and it’s time to get out on the courses in Edina to play some golf. Whether you are playing for fun, for competition or just practicing, the City has some great golf options. Centennial Lakes Park, 7499 France Ave. S., has 18 manicured bent grass greens ranging in length from 57 to 125 feet and surrounded by sand traps, ponds, boulders and planter beds. Players use only a putter to negotiate these heavily undulated greens. This par 51 layout is 1,662 feet in length and takes approximately one hour and 45 minutes to play. Nine holes can be played in under an hour. The putting course, as well as the park’s lawn games area and paddleboat rental, are scheduled to open for the season May 5, weather dependent. Braemar Golf Course, 6364 John Harris Drive, has a newer Par 3 course – the Academy 9 – great for players of all abilities. Each green has two pin placements and offers an easier flagstick with larger 6-inch cups for the novice golfer. There are three tee boxes to choose from on each hole, offering a nice variety and the potential for a greater challenge for the more experienced player. The holes vary in length from 70 to 194 yards with rolling hills and native grasses that help create an interesting but approachable layout. Along with Academy 9, the outdoor driving range and two practice greens opened in late April, after the snow melted, frost thawed and the turf was dry enough. The championship course will remain closed for the season for its new turf to establish strong roots. “We are thrilled for adults and juniors to come out to the Academy 9,” added Mary Woolridge, Assistant General Manager. “It’s going to be a busy golf course, which we love to see.” Visit CentennialLakesPark.com or BraemarGolf.com for more information. Calendar Highlight: K-9 Memorial Dedication Ceremony 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 31 Join members of the Edina City Council and Edina Crime Prevention Fund at a dedication of the K-9 Memorial Sculpture on the grounds of Edina City Hall, outside of the Police Department at 4801 W. 50th St. The sculpture of a German Shepherd dog, is meant to honor all working dogs and was designed and created by Edina resident Michelle Recke. Come celebrate service dogs and the special role K-9s play in the Edina Police Department.