Public Improvements, Redevelopment Could Come to Golden Valley

When the Golden Valley City Council approved preliminary plans for the construction of a new apartment building last month, staff also started thinking about renewing the area along Golden Valley Road, between Boone Avenue and Mendelssohn Avenue.

On Sept. 11, commissioners from the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) reviewed preliminary ideas for the creation of a public improvements project in Golden Valley.

Last night, HRA commissioners met again to review the resolution for the redevelopment along Highway 55. The adoption of the resolution means that the plans for redevelopment will go first to the Planning Commission and then to City Council for review and approval.

The project stems from a need to make certain areas along Highway 55 safer and more usable for pedestrians.

According to HRA documents, in the 1970s, Golden Valley created a "mixed-use, walkable downtown" located at the intersection of Winnetka and Golden Valley Road. Today, that section of land is home to restaurants, City Hall, the police station, library and a seasonal farmers market.

"Recently interest has grown in connecting the area west of Boone Avenue to this urban core," staff said in HRA documents. "The goal is to make better and safer connections for both pedestrians and vehicles, and provide better access to transit stops."

Improvements that could come to the area include new sidewalks, lighting and burial of power lines.