Survey Reveals Grandview Area Preferences

"Yes" to more bike and walking paths, fixing the parking problems, better east to west connections in Edina, a civic/cultural center and more arts and cultural experience for the areas school kids.

"No" to chain or big box stores, Walgreen’s, tall buildings or large single purpose buildings like medical and health-related, residential high rises or fast food chains.

"Maybe" to a mass transit center.

These were the responses from approximately 30 Edina residents as to what they would like to see—or not see—in the Grandview area of the city and in general for Edina in the future.

The results of the survey were presented during a recent meeting of the steering committee for the at the .

Kim Montgomery, who along with Laura Nisi, conducted the survey, said there were nearly universal opinions on a couple of subjects.

“People do not want to see chain or big box retail in the area,” Montgomery said. “They would also like to see some of the area’s parking problems resolved.”

Montgomery added with the a for the Edina Schools, there is a strong argument that there should be facilities with programs, which can augment or supplement school programs, especially in the arts and cultural areas.

Grandview is basically bordered by Vernon and Eden Avenues, which meet at the west end next to the station and then meet up again at the east of .

The purpose of the steering member committee is to coordinate the recommendations of four sub-committees and to have a proposed plan, which can be discussed and acted upon by the City Council in 2012.

Montgomery said at the May 10 survey meeting, those present broke into five working groups and then presented each of the group’s opinions.

Two questions were posed. First, what amenities should a 21st-century city have that we do not have at all in Edina?

Second, which of these amenities would be a good fit for this (Grandview) geographic area?

While nearly everyone wanted to see physical and social/community connectors in Edina, there was a mixed response as to whether there should be a mass transit stop.

Virtually no one wanted tall buildings—at least not taller than what already exists—and chain or big box stores, are not popular. Specifically, there were several people who voiced opposition to the proposed coming into what is presently the location of Jerry’s Hardware on Vernon Avenue.

The steering committee will next meet on June 16, again at the Senior Center, and will look at the process of retaining consultants to help formalize a plan.