Edina advances two major projects: arts center relocation and pool repairs.
The Edina City Council held a work session on January 21 to discuss two significant infrastructure initiatives: relocating the Arts Center to a new library facility and replacing aging equipment at the Aquatic Center. Both projects face urgent timelines and substantial costs.
The council heard an update on plans to move the Edina Arts Center from its current home at Rosland Park—a converted 1948 residence—to a new Hennepin County Library facility at the South Tail location. The partnership dramatically reduces costs: a standalone Arts Center would cost $31.7 million, but sharing the library building brings that down to $6.8 million over 40 years. The new facility will include 18,000 square feet of arts space with pottery studios, maker spaces, and galleries, with an expected opening in the third quarter of 2027. "The exposure that our art center will get in this location is pretty extraordinary," one Arts and Culture Commission member said, noting the library serves residents across multiple communities. Council members expressed strong support, though some questioned details like the omission of a jewelry room and the location of changing facilities.
The second major item addressed urgent infrastructure needs at the Aquatic Center, which opened in 1958 and serves 75,000 to 85,000 visitors annually. A major electrical failure in 2021 revealed that the pump room's power system is obsolete and incompatible with modern equipment. The facility also has undersized surge tanks that violate state pool codes and inadequate ventilation causing rust and decay. The city proposes building a new pump room facility at an estimated cost of $5 million, with construction targeted for summer or fall 2025 to be completed before the 2026 season.
To fund the Aquatic Center project, the council directed staff to pursue tax abatement as the primary funding mechanism while exploring state bonding and a potential local sales tax extension as alternatives. The council emphasized the urgency of the timeline, with one member noting that delays could disrupt operations. Staff will release a request for proposals for construction management within two to three weeks.
Once the Arts Center relocates, the city plans to conduct a master planning process for the Rosland Park site to determine its future use, with preliminary discussion favoring deconstruction and naturalization pending community input.
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Other Topics from This Document
Aquatic Center Pump Room Infrastructure Replacement
Funding Options for Aquatic Center Pump Room Project
Arts Center Facility Transition and Rosland Park Future Use
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