Edina approves Rivian showroom, selects Eden Avenue developer
The Edina City Council approved a conditional use permit for electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian to open a showroom at Galleria Edina mall, while the Housing and Redevelopment Authority selected a development team to transform a vacant 3-acre public works site on Eden Avenue into a mixed-use community.
The city council unanimously approved Rivian's request to operate a showroom dealership on the northwest side of Galleria Edina, between Kraton Barrel and Big Bowl restaurants. The showroom will display up to six vehicles available for test drives, with customer orders fulfilled through home delivery rather than on-site sales. This model mirrors Rivian's showroom dealerships operating across the country.
In a separate action, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority selected a development team comprising Hemple Real Estate, Monarch Development Partners, Jester Concepts, and Rooost Advisors to redevelop the Eden Avenue site. The team offered $4 million for the property, with proceeds going to the city's general fund. The development plan prioritizes owner-occupied units—townhouses and condominiums—over rental apartments, and includes a standalone restaurant, public plazas, and sidewalks.
A development team representative highlighted the site's strategic advantages during the meeting. "The site has great bones," the representative said. "It's in West Edina, right near a whole lot of activity at 50th and Vernon. It's got food, entertainment, and great access to the road system." The team also plans to leverage the site's natural topography to create a village-like community with varying roof lines and elevations.
The draft sales agreement will be presented to the city council in fall, with the transaction expected to close in 2026 or 2027. Additionally, the council announced that Edina High School's homecoming parade on Friday, September 19th will follow a modified route due to ongoing construction on the Highway 100 and Vernon Avenue interchange. The parade begins at 4:45 p.m. at Edina Country Club and concludes at Coleman Field, where the Hornets football team will face defending state champion Maple Grove at 7 p.m.
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Votes (3)
Rivian Electric Vehicle Showroom Conditional Use Permit
The city council approved a conditional use permit allowing Rivian to establish a showroom dealership at Galleria Edina. The showroom will operate as a retail tenant offering test drives of up to six vehicles on-site, with customer orders fulfilled through home delivery rather than on-site inventory sales. This model aligns with Rivian's similar showroom dealerships operating across the country.
Eden Avenue Public Works Site Redevelopment Team Selection
The Housing and Redevelopment Authority selected a development team from 11 proposals to redevelop the 3-acre vacant public works site on Eden Avenue. The selected team includes Hemple Real Estate, Monarch Development Partners, Jester Concepts, and Rooost Advisors. The development plan prioritizes owner-occupied units (townhouses and condominiums) over rental apartments, includes a standalone restaurant by Jester Concepts, and incorporates public plazas and sidewalks. The team offered $4 million for the site, with proceeds going to the city's general fund. The draft sales agreement will be presented to city council in fall, with anticipated closing in 2026 or 2027.
Edina High School Homecoming Parade Route Notification
Edina High School homecoming is scheduled for Friday, September 19th. Due to ongoing construction on the Highway 100 and Vernon Avenue interchange, the parade route has been modified. The parade will begin at 4:45 p.m. at Edina Country Club, proceed south on Wooddale Avenue, west on 58th Street to Concord Avenue, north to South View Lane, and conclude at the Edina Community Center Campus at Coleman Field. The Hornets football team will play the defending state champion Maple Grove Crimson at 7:00 p.m.
Notable Quotes (2)
You know, I like to say every site has certain advantages and certain disadvantages. And the key is to figure out what's unique about a site and then tailor your plan to meet that site. And in this particular instance, the site is got great bones, right? It's in West Edina. It's right near a whole lot of activity there at 50th and Vernon. It's got food. It's got entertainment. It's got great access to the road system.
The topography is the very unique thing about that site. And that was an opportunity in our opinion to work with the topography and create a village with a little bit of a rolling feel to it where you have varying roof lines and elevations and even the green space that can be tailored to meet that topography.
Ordinances & Resolutions (2)
Permit approved by city council authorizing Rivian electric vehicle showroom dealership at Galleria Edina
Agreement for sale of Eden Avenue public works site to development team, scheduled for city council review in fall
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Other Topics from This Document
Eden Avenue Public Works Site Redevelopment
Edina High School Homecoming Parade Route
Also from this meeting
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