State of the City: Road Development Project Tops City's To-Do List

In the annual State of the City Address Friday morning, Mayor Linda Loomis made it clear that road development is on the top of the city's list of priorities this year. 

Loomis, along with the Twin West Chamber of Commerce, presented the State of the City Address in the city council chambers.

Showing a video highlighting the major topics of the city’s comprehensive plan, Mayor Loomis spoke to more than a dozen local government officials and business community representatives as she discussed Golden Valley’s accomplishments and future developments.

"Golden Valley is a really well-managed city, it always has been," says Loomis. "We're going to try and continue that."

Loomis says they are continuing that with forward thinking ideas based off of the city’s “Envision” plan that began in 1997. Using strategic planning and the public’s input, the city created a comprehensive plan in 2008 that remains in effect today.

Based on the plan, the city is focusing on six core areas: Development, transportation, environment, recreation, community engagement and government.

In the next few years, Mayor Loomis says development will be key to the city.

Topping the list, a $20 million development plan on Douglas Dr. to help with traffic flow and better pedestrian safety.

In 2016, the city is projected to begin an estimated 1.1 mile development project on Douglas Dr. in partnership with Hennepin County that would run from Golden Valley Rd. to Medicine Lake Rd. The plans are to change the traffic pattern to possibly three-lanes, using the middle lane as a turn lane and adding bike lanes on each side.

Loomis says the largest part of the renovation will be in partnership with Xcel Energy, as they put all of the utility lines underground and construct a wide sidewalk on both sides of Douglas Dr. for the length of the section in question.

“We like the sidewalks to be eight feet wide, but looking at bike lanes and public transit, there is a limited right of way through there,” she says. “It will narrow the profile of the whole street.”

Loomis estimates the city will pay roughly $10 million for the $20 million project. Hennepin County will pick up the other half of renovations. Currently, the project is on the county’s capital project list to begin in 2016. The design stage has just begun.

Loomis says they are also continuing with their pavement repair program, with a 15 year goal to rehabilitate all of the streets. Since 1995, the city has rehabilitated 83 miles of its local streets.

In 2011, the city had planned to continue those road improvements to an additional 3.4 miles, but Loomis says that number has since been scaled back.

“We cut it back to 1.2 miles so that it didn’t impact people’s taxes quite as badly as if we’d stuck with 3.4,” she says.

Loomis says bonded debt has helped pay for the road rehabilitation project thusfar and will continue to do so.

The future commercial development on I-55, from Winnetka Ave. to Highway 100 and on I-394 until Laurel Ave. has also been heavily discussed. She says current property owners have all agreed on an “urban village” feel for future development of these properties.

“We want to encourage small, individual businesses and develop something both architecturally and environmentally appealing,” says Loomis. “Use it as a mixed-use zoning district for office retail, housing, with offices close to the freeway to buffer the residential [areas].”

The city is also looking at ways to increase housing options for seniors in Golden Valley by looking at areas for higher density housing.

Golden Valley baseball lovers can rejoice at two new fields coming to the city beginning this spring. Mayor Loomis says the city now owns the land at the Honeywell Little League Fields, which thanks to a $400,000 grant from Hennepin County, they will be adding two additional fields to make three fields total in the space.

“The plan is to have tournaments and do fundraising with these tournaments for the fields.”

Groundbreaking is scheduled for this spring with playable fields constructed by late summer.

December 16, 2011 will mark 125 years for the city of Golden Valley. Mayor Loomis says they’re asking for input and looking for ideas to celebrate. If you have an idea, she encourages you to contact City Hall.

Loomis says in light of the economy, the city is attempting to save as much as possible when it comes to budgeting, but believes these development projects will be key for a successful future.

“We’re always looking for ways to trim it because we’re a city that hasn’t gotten local government aide for a long time, so we’ve had to get lean and mean here, there’s not a log of fat to trim.”

The city will begin discussing its next budget in March.

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The State of the City Update will be taking place again on Tuesday, March 1 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. For more information, visit the City of Golden Valley website. To sign up for updates on city news and events, click here.