At its May 14 meeting, the Edina City Council greenlit a major civic project that will transform the corner of York Avenue and 70th Street into a combined library and arts facility. The existing Southdale Library building at 7001 York Avenue will be demolished to make way for the new structure, which will house both the library and the relocated Edina Art Center. The project, expected to take about three years to complete, received approval for a conditional use permit, site plan, and building height variance.

The new Art Center will occupy the upper level and feature studio spaces for ceramics, a maker space, gallery, and gift shop. Designers emphasized that the building will be sensitive to neighboring homes along Xerxes Avenue and in Richfield, with architectural features intended to reduce the structure's visual scale. The project will also replace what is currently a large parking lot with native landscaping.

In a separate cost-cutting move, the council directed City Manager Scott Neil to negotiate an agreement with Hennepin County to take over Edina's property assessment services. The city's seven-person assessing division handles property valuations, classifications, and appeals. If approved, the transition could save Edina approximately $500,000 in 2026 and $1 million annually starting in 2027. Most Hennepin County cities already use county assessing services; Edina is among a handful that still maintain their own staff. A final agreement could come before the council on June 2.

The meeting also highlighted a historic preservation milestone. The Mari and Hendrick Oscam house in Edina's Indian Hills neighborhood was added to the National Register of Historic Places in January. Built in 1963 and designed by Elizabeth Close—one of Minnesota's first female architects—the home is considered one of the best examples of international style architecture in the Twin Cities. It is the first Close-designed house to receive the federal designation.

May was recognized as Historic Preservation Month, with the Heritage Preservation Commission encouraging residents to explore a city website map showing Edina's historic sites.