[Music] Welcome to Agenda Edina, a program summarizing the actions taken at city hall that affect you most. I'm your host Dorothia Marty. Construction is officially underway on a new chapter for arts and learning in Edina. Two and three. Go. >> Henipin County broke ground October 3rd on the redevelopment of the Southdale Library. A project that will also create a new permanent home for the Edina Art Center. For nearly 50 years, the Edina Arts Center has been a place where creativity, connection, and learning come together. Now, that legacy will continue inside a modern state-of-the-art facility designed to bring art into everyday community life. The art center will occupy the second floor of the new building with dedicated studio space, flexible classrooms, upgraded equipment, and room to expand art programming for learners of all ages. The new location will also support intergenerational programs and gallery space to showcase local artists. >> We're going to have uh two classrooms to create two-dimensional artwork. We're going to have plenty of space to do ceramics and pottery. So, we'll be able to bring that program back and it's just going to be an amazing location for everybody to come and create and develop more community. During the groundbreaking ceremony, Henipin County leaders and Edina city officials emphasized that this project is about more than bricks and mortar. It's about building a place where residents can learn, imagine, and create together. The shared facility will include a light-filled atrium for public events, outdoor plazas, flexible community meeting rooms, and direct access to the 9M Creek Trail. Sustainability is also a major focus of the project using geothermal energy, solar panels and native plantings to manage rainfall and reduce environmental impact. >> There is obviously cost savings in the future for it being more environment environmentally friendly as a building as well too. But I think for us it's also the education purpose. So when you have families, when you have children in the space, you can bring nature in the outside of the building, but also the climate initiatives inside the building as well, too. There's money savings, but there's the education piece as well. The new Southdale Library and Edina Art Center are expected to open in 2026, ushering in a new destination for creativity and community right here in Edina.