In review

 

Spring fever has come to Edina and the Edina Rotarians. The group was feisty and animated as San Asato tried to capture everyone’s attention to start the meeting. We were only five minutes delayed however, and for many of us (i.e. me), that is within the acceptable range.

 

San opened with a video showing Style Edina “Kick Off Your Spring Fashion” with Shelly Loberg, a fellow Rotarian also celebrating three years with our club, as what appeared to be the reporter or emcee  of the event. Unfortunately we had some audio technicalities. 

 

This was followed by photos of Gordy Lewis receiving well-earned recognition and awards at the Edina Mayor's Volunteer Recognition event Monday April 23. First, the Lifetime Service Award for the non profit Angel Flight Central. Yes, Gordy is still piloting to help others! Check out the article on the City of Edina website. In addition, Gordy received our club’s Rotarian of the Year award.  You go Gordy!!

 

Several Rotarians have been busy visiting third-graders to work with reading more than just text messages. The volunteers read the book about the Rotary Four-Way Test, "Andy and Elmer's Apple Dumpling Adventure," to the classes and handed out apples. 

 

You can read about last week’s Vocational Ethics Day meeting featuring Nancy Dahl, where we hosted several area high school students and neighboring Rotary Clubs in last week’s The Barker.

 

We had a total of has eight guests and one visiting Rotarian from the Edina Morningside Rotary Club. One of the guests was former member Colleen Simpson, who also brought a guest along who is interested in our club. It looks like there are several guests that are working toward their four required visits to our club in order to submit their membership applications. Thank you to all the hosts.

 

Josh reminded us all of next week’s Opioid Awareness Workshop. Registration has closed, but contact Josh if you still would like to attend. Don't forget the workshop starts at 11:30 a.m., with check-in beginning at 11 a.m.

 

Fishing for Life received a $2,000 grant from the Edina Rotary Foundation, presented by Mark Stageberg. The money will be used for a new rectangular trout pond—it is above ground with plastic lining and a metal frame. They are hosting an event June 14 out at the lake for 100 soldiers and need 30 boats. So, if interested, you can get more information through the website,  www.fishingforlife.org, or ask Mark!

 

Tim Murphy presented a The Rotary Foundation Major Donor recognition to Dave Kunz. Dave loves Rotary because he knows where his donated dollars are going. Thank you, Dave!

 

Scott Neal introduced our speaker, Bill Neuendorf, Economic Development Manager for the City of Edina. He came to Edina in 2010 following experiences in real estate and urban development around the country, most recently in Chicago. Scott hired Bill in his current role in 2012. Bill sure has been busy ever since! He is working to redevelop Edina to a state of the art progressive and futuristic community. 

 

Today he focused on the 50th and France redevelopment project that is on the verge of hitting ground.  

 

Bill started by sharing some history of Edina, specifically around 50th and France. Starting with streetcars in the 1930s, to a popular bowling alley in the 1950s, to four gas stations in 1980s, to an urban community with stores, restaurants, businesses and condominium living spaces, today. We have come a long way.

 

The next stage is the redevelopment of 49 1/2 Street just north of 50th and the quadrant east to France, west to US Bank and the Post Office. A 2016 RFP resulted in a complete re-envisioning of this area and transforming it to include green space, walking and biking areas, public art, minimizing concrete to make this area a draw for pedestrians, families, resident shoppers and employees. The plan is to turn this street into a "woonerf"—a shared street that allows for bikers, walkers and cars combining hardscape with greenscape with fire and water features and special event spaces with an international flair.

 

The redevelopment project will include additional free parking spaces, and living units with about 10 percent considered affordable and a total of 100 new units. The project is planned to be completed late 2019 and is being developed by Buhl Investors, called Nolan Mains. Some of the challenges has been coordinating both public and private parties to come together for a coordinated project and accommodating local business needs. Businesses were concerned about the business disruption and the city has accommodated by providing free valet during the construction phase. Total project cost is about $53 million, funded by tax increment financing and the developers who bought the land.