HomeMy WebLinkAboutED - 50th France Parking Ramps
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Jordan Gilgenbach, Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-826-0396 • jgilgenbach@EdinaMN.gov • www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
‘Better Free Parking’ Coming to 50th & France
Edina, Minn., May 27, 2014 – In mid-June, following the Edina Art Fair, the City will begin work to update
and improve municipal parking facilities in Edina’s downtown at 50th & France.
The parking ramp improvements will take place over two years. The first phase will focus on restoration of
the three existing facilities. In the second phase, to be completed next year, an elevator will be added to the
South Ramp. Once the first phase is complete in late October, the public ramps will be cleaner, brighter, safer
and more convenient.
“These improvements are meant to optimize the parking facilities that already exist,” said the City’s Economic
Development Manager, Bill Neuendorf. “That means repairing and updating the ramps and then installing
wayfinding signs for customers.”
The parking ramps will be updated to better meet the needs and expectations of visitors to the commercial
district. A thorough cleaning, repairs, fresh paint and new LED lighting will make the ramps brighter, more
attractive and safer. Pedestrian walkways will also be easily identifiable throughout the ramps. Additionally,
streetscape improvements will be made, including replacement of the deteriorated portions of the sidewalk
pavers, replacement of unhealthy trees and new landscaping.
One of the most noticeable improvements will be a wayfinding system. The dynamic signs will be installed at
four locations around the district and will direct drivers toward available parking stalls. Signs will notify drivers
when a ramp is full and direct them to another ramp that has capacity. The system will use a vehicle
monitoring software that tells in real-time if parking space is available in any given ramp.
“The new wayfinding system has been desired for several years,” Neuendorf said. “With it, there should be
no need to circle the ramps trying to find space to park.”
This summer, portions of each ramp will be under construction. Work will occur in phases to help mitigate
the impact to visitors, employees and businesses. Work will occur mainly during the day, but the contractor
may work overnight to access a larger portion of the ramps. In most cases, less than 10 percent of all parking
ramp spaces will be out of service during peak times.
The former Edina Realty branch office site on West 49 1/2 Street will be used as a construction staging area.
Once the parking and streetscape improvements are complete, the City will evaluate the best use for the
vacant property.
Construction work will wrap up in late October, in time for the holiday shopping season, and will resume in
the spring. Phase 2 includes the reconstruction of the stairway in the northeast corner of the south ramp and
the addition of an elevator.
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
For more information, visit www.EdinaMN.gov/50thandFrance or contact Project
Manager Dan Coyle of Kimley-Horn Associates, 651-643-0451 or
dan.coyle@kimley-horn.com, or Public Works Director Brian Olson,
952-826-0311 or bolson@EdinaMN.gov.
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