Edina Council Halts $20M France Avenue Underpass Project
The Edina City Council voted 4-1 on Wednesday to suspend the proposed France Avenue underpass project, citing its high cost and lack of federal funding. Instead, the city will explore cheaper at-grade crossing alternatives with Hennepin County.
Mayor Hublin proposed halting all city spending on the France Avenue underpass, which was estimated to cost $20 million to serve approximately 300 daily users. The mayor argued the project was fiscally irresponsible given the lack of federal funding and the availability of less expensive options. The council voted to approve the suspension, with only Council Member Agnu dissenting.
During the debate, council members grappled with competing priorities. Some mourned losing what they called a "beautiful idea" for a green corridor connecting the community. Others emphasized the core problem: ensuring safe pedestrian crossings at France Avenue at a reasonable cost. The motion directs city staff to study at-grade crossing options between 66th and 77th avenues and report back by June 30, 2027.
In other business, the council unanimously approved three ceremonial items: a resolution accepting donations to city departments including the Edina Senior Center, Park and Recreation, and the Edina Police Department; a proclamation recognizing May 2026 as Building Safety Month; and a proclamation designating April 24, 2026, as Arbor Day. Assistant Building Official Rick Chase noted his department conducts over 18,000 inspections annually with 14 employees. City Forester Luther Overhalt announced upcoming tree planting events at Creek Valley School Park and highlighted a sold-out tree sale.
The meeting also touched on broader community concerns. Residents raised questions about the 2026 property tax levy, school district boundary issues affecting Edina families zoned for neighboring districts, and the disposition of tax increment financing funds from the redeveloped old public works site. The city acknowledged these long-standing issues, noting previous unsuccessful attempts to adjust school boundaries at the state legislature.
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Votes (4)
Resolution 2026-20 Accepting Donations on Behalf of the City of Edina
Moved by Council Member Agnu [01:00:23] · Seconded by Council Member Pierce [01:00:27]
The item was presented to formally accept various donations made to city departments, including the Edina Senior Center, Park and Wreck, and the Edina PD for specific programs. The names of donors would be posted on the city website.
Proclamation of Building Safety Month (May 2026)
Moved by Council Member Jackson [00:48:37] · Seconded by Council Member Pierce [00:48:40]
The Mayor read a proclamation recognizing May 2026 as Building Safety Month, emphasizing the critical role of building safety and fire prevention officials, modern building codes, and structural integrity for community well-being. The Assistant Building Official, Rick Chase, spoke, thanking the council and highlighting the department's 14 employees and over 18,000 annual inspections.
Proclamation of Arbor Day (April 24, 2026)
Moved by Unknown [00:52:43] · Seconded by Unknown [00:52:45]
A proclamation was read designating April 24, 2026, as Arbor Day, acknowledging the holiday's history and the numerous benefits of trees to the environment and community. City Forester Luther Overhalt provided an update on upcoming tree planting events at Creek Valley School Park with students and the success of a recent sold-out tree sale.
France Avenue Proposed Underpass Project
Dissent: Council Member Agnu
Moved by Mayor Hublin [01:04:12] · Seconded by Council Member Risser [01:05:44]
Mayor Hublin proposed suspending all city spending on the France Avenue underpass project due to high costs ($20 million for an estimated 300 daily users), lack of federal funding, and new opportunities to explore at-grade alternatives with Hennepin County. Council members debated the project's necessity, fiscal responsibility, community feedback, and the vision for France Avenue, with some mourning the loss of a 'beautiful idea' for a green corridor and others emphasizing solving the core problem of safe pedestrian crossings at a more reasonable cost. The motion passed, directing staff to study at-grade options and report back by June 30, 2027.
Notable Quotes (10)
Our original allocation was a $3 million earmark that was set by the state legislature a couple years ago. Mindot came to the table with a $3 million al allocation. We went to them and we took inflationary pressures, used inflationary numbers, and they gave us another $200,000.
Without that cohesion, the bridge risks losing what prompted the competition in the first place, becoming a community landmark beyond something purely utilitarian.
I agree with staff on this one and think it would be best to proceed without the cladding for financial reasons, but also because I am concerned with the cladding as you're going up and you're moving. There are spaces where um just the alignment of the cladding makes it less transparent and it's harder to see.
I do recall when we were going through the RFP or the contest to bring forward proposals, um, we were paying attention a lot to the aesthetics of what would this mean? And we knew that this was one of those kind of main focal points, a a gateway into the community. Um, and so for that reason, I I'm hesitant to go fully no cladding. I think that the partial cladding on the bridge is a a good middle ground compromise.
So the motion would be to suspend all current and future city spending on studying the feasibility and design of the France Avenue proposed underpass project and further direct city staff to engage with technical colleagues at Henipin County to study at great alternatives for safe pedestrian crossings of France Avenue between 66th and 77th Avenue South.
Um I think it's a good idea to suspend um investment on this particular project. I did request some images be available that I'd like to talk about. And just if you could indulge me on this because come June 30th, 2027, I'm not going to be here.
I'm really viewing this in the the way that we've framed it up so far as an amazing opportunity for us to continue Centennial Lakes. Um, this could stitch together what we have today on the east side of France to the west side of France. Um, and I think that suspending conversation on this, whether it's till 2027 or 2028, is an overcorrection based on a a vocal contingency when I think that there's a very strong voice that is missing from the conversation right now.
The problem that we're trying to solve is I think the quality of life survey got it right. Um 70ish% of people want to feel safe crossing France Avenue. And I don't I think that that is not in question. That's what the open house feedback showed.
The current zoning would only allow about 125 units on the site. The comprehensive plan would allow much more than that. So there will be some substantial variances there. Um also in regard to height, four stories is the limit on this site. And the proposal here that they'll show two options. One is a sevenstory option. and the other is a has a 12story uh component.
This is the two building sevenstory concept. So concept one uh at the end of the day we think this is the one that wins on the on the aspect of feasibility uh fitting within the scale of what is there or has been recently developed around Fred Richards Park and I think it's this concept that we got the most uh favorable feedback from the planning commission last week as well.
Ordinances & Resolutions (6)
Resolution accepting donations on behalf of the city of Edina.
Subject of public comment, discussed as initially projected at 17% and ultimately lowered to 7.94%, with questions about how reductions were achieved.
Critiqued by a resident as unsound and unsustainable; defended by the Mayor based on the city's AAA bond rating.
Referenced in community comment regarding transportation's role in achieving emissions reductions (60% needed from this area).
Cited by a council member to inform discussions on road safety and prioritize investments based on serious injury crash data.
Referenced in discussion about the France Avenue underpass, with debate over how general questions about connectivity were interpreted as specific support for the tunnel project.
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Other Topics from This Document
Transportation & Urban Planning
School District Boundaries
City Property & TIF Districts
City Manager's Professional Conduct
Infrastructure Projects & Funding
Senior Housing Development
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