Edina Council Approves Housing, Recreation, and Safety Projects
The Edina City Council unanimously approved four major initiatives on August 4, including a $250,000 investment in railroad crossing safety, a new duplex development, pickle ball court expansion, and a youth basketball program designed to build relationships between police and young people.
The council allocated $250,000 from the city's 2024 budget surplus to improve safety at seven street-level railroad crossings operated by CPKC, which runs from St. Louis Park through Edina to Bloomington. The funding will support infrastructure improvements needed before the city can apply for federal "quiet zone" designation—a status that would allow the railroad to stop sounding train horns at those crossings. Recent increases in nighttime train operations have disturbed nearby residents. A city official explained that safety upgrades must come first: "We have to install additional safety infrastructure" to mitigate risks caused by the absence of train horns. The process could take several years.
In a separate vote, the council approved a housing development by Abundance Properties on Vernon Avenue that will replace a single-family home with four duplex units. The project aligns with the city's goal to provide "missing middle housing"—multi-unit homes that blend into traditional neighborhoods and offer options for residents of all ages and incomes. An Abundance Properties representative noted the location's appeal: "The school is right behind it. We know some great families are going to want to move in."
The Moody family's donation will expand pickle ball courts at Rosland Park from five dedicated courts to ten, with individual fencing and gates. The family, which introduced pickle ball to the park in 2015, envisions the upgraded facility serving players of all skill levels. "It'll be something that even the beginners can enjoy to the tournament type people could enjoy," said Bruce Moody, emphasizing how the sport brings families together across generations.
Finally, the council approved "Cops on the Court," a partnership between the Edina Police Department and Southdale YMCA to run youth basketball programs. Officers are assigned to teams with young participants to build positive relationships and address behavioral incidents at the gym. A community participant described the program's impact: "You walk in and it's just non-stop smiles...everyone's excited, everyone wants to play." The initiative includes team practices, games, and community partnerships like Chick-fil-A providing prizes.
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Votes (4)
Moody Family Pickle Ball Courts Donation and Expansion
Dissent: None identified
Moved by Unknown [Timestamp not specified] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp not specified]
The Moody family (Bruce, Dave, Chuck, and Melvin's children Paul and Mary) donated funds to expand the pickle ball courts at Rosland Park from 5 dedicated courts plus 4 makeshift overlays to 10 fully dedicated courts. The project honors the legacy of John and Melvin Moody, who first brought pickle ball to the park in 2015. Bituminous Roadways will execute the work in two phases, aiming to complete the first phase this season. The upgraded courts will feature individual fencing and gates to improve safety and play quality. Future enhancements may include windcreens and shaded seating.
Missing Middle Housing Development - Vernon Avenue Duplex Project
Dissent: None identified
Moved by Unknown [Timestamp not specified] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp not specified]
Abundance Properties received approval for a comprehensive plan amendment, rezoning, preliminary plat, and site plan to replace a single-family house with four two-story duplex units on Vernon Avenue. The project is designed to fit seamlessly with the neighborhood character and aligns with the city's comprehensive plan goal to accommodate missing middle housing—multi-unit homes or clustered living that blend with traditional single-family neighborhoods. The school proximity was noted as a positive factor for attracting families. The project supports the city's broader goal of providing housing options for residents of all ages, incomes, and household sizes in walkable, vibrant areas.
Cops on the Court Youth Basketball Community Engagement Program
Dissent: None identified
Moved by Unknown [Timestamp not specified] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp not specified]
The Edina Police Department partnered with the Southdale YMCA to launch Cops on the Court, a youth basketball program designed to build positive relationships between officers and youth. The program was initiated in response to an influx of incidents at the gym and the facility's need for community bridge-building. Officers are assigned to teams with youth participants, and the program incorporates music, positive reinforcement, and rotating youth leadership roles (DJ, referee, etc.). Members of the Multicultural Advisory Committee volunteer at events. The program includes team practices, games with scorekeeping, and community partnerships such as Chick-fil-A providing sweepstakes prizes. The initiative aims to engage youth, build emotional regulation skills, and demonstrate police support for the community.
Railroad Crossing Safety Action Plan and Quiet Zone Initiative
Dissent: None identified
Moved by Unknown [Timestamp not specified] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp not specified]
The city council approved a railroad crossing safety action plan and allocated $250,000 from the 2024 surplus to fund safety infrastructure improvements at seven street-level CPKC railroad crossings in Edina. The CPKC rail line runs from St. Louis Park to Bloomington through Edina; most crossings are bridges or underpasses, but seven remain at street level and require train horns. Recent increases in nighttime train operations have caused noise disturbances for nearby residents. To qualify for federal quiet zone designation, the city must first install additional safety infrastructure at each crossing to mitigate risks caused by the absence of train horns. The council's initial federal funding request was unsuccessful, prompting the use of 2024 surplus funds. The process will involve determining funding sources, establishing a construction schedule, and then applying for quiet zone status—a process that could take several years.
Notable Quotes (9)
It'll be something that even the beginners can enjoy to the tournament type people could enjoy. So many people have just learned to play this game that is a big part of our our family to have this be a place where families and friends can come together and and just have a great time.
And pickle ball is a game you can pick up quickly. So you got grandkids playing now for us and and you get people even older than me uh still playing too. And it's it's just fabulous.
It's a beautiful space. We were able to put a vision together that, you know, really made sense, made sense to the city council, uh, and just makes sense for the community. The school is right behind it. We know some great families are going to want to move in, so we're grateful to be a part of that.
Cops on the Court was focused to partner us together to kind of bring this organic relationship between policing and youth because we were seeing some like an influx of incidents there and the gym was kind of feeling a little at loss on how we can bridge that.
So they get to see us and then they drop their ticket in, they sign up on their name and then they get their jerseys which the South YMCA gave to us and then we enter into the gym. There's one to two officers assigned to each team and then they start to practice through working together who are going to be the first player, how we're going to do sub outs just so we can really start working with them on how they're going to play together.
One to get them busy. Uh two to get them to meet our officers and see our officers in a different light and really just build out the relationships to show that you know we support our youth here in Edina and nearby communities.
Basketball is a big part of why a lot of these kids come to the YMCA. So, we just thought to have something connected to basketball, to connect the kids to a program that allows them to play basketball while also collaborating with the local police. With basketball, it's very inclusive. So, when you're playing basketball, a lot of different people could come together.
Oh my gosh, the energy is loud. It's big. You walk in and it's just non-stop smiles. It's Miss Jessica, Miss Jessica, or hey officer, can I ask you something? Can I do this? Everyone's excited, everyone wants to play. It's more of a first name versus officer this, officer that, or maybe met with aggression because they feel uncomfortable.
In order for the city to apply for a quiet zone, we first have to mitigate the increased uh risk at each crossing that's caused by the absence of a train horn. What this means is we have to install additional safety infrastructure. We'll have to determine a source of funding for that safety infrastructure. Once that funding is determined, then we will determine a construction schedule to build that safety infrastructure and then go through the process of applying for a quiet zone.
Ordinances & Resolutions (5)
Amendment to city comprehensive plan to accommodate missing middle housing opportunities on Vernon Avenue
Rezoning action for Vernon Avenue property to enable duplex development
Preliminary plat approval for the four-unit duplex project on Vernon Avenue
Site plan approval for the Vernon Avenue housing development
Plan to mitigate safety risks at seven street-level CPKC railroad crossings and establish prerequisites for quiet zone designation
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Other Topics from This Document
Missing Middle Housing Development on Vernon Avenue
Cops on the Court Community Engagement Program
Railroad Crossing Safety and Quiet Zone Initiative
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