The Edina City Council reviewed progress on two major infrastructure projects during a work session Tuesday, including a partnership to house the city's Art Center within a new Hennepin County Library and urgent repairs needed at the Aquatic Center.

The Art Center colocation project would provide 18,000 square feet of space within the new Southdale Library for $6.8 million over 40 years, significantly less than the $31.7 million cost of building a standalone facility. Parks and Recreation Director Perry Vetter said the partnership leverages shared infrastructure including parking, elevators and building systems to reduce costs to about $370 per square foot compared to $650 for independent construction.

The facility would include pottery studios with wheel rooms, hand-building stations, kiln areas, and maker spaces for STEM programming. Arts and Culture Commission members expressed enthusiasm for the project's visibility and expanded programming opportunities. The library is targeting a third-quarter 2027 opening.

Meanwhile, the Aquatic Center faces critical infrastructure failures in its pump room, with equipment dating to obsolete electrical systems that can no longer be easily repaired or replaced. Facilities Manager Derek Perry said the facility serves 75,000 to 85,000 visitors annually, with roughly 70% from outside Edina.

Financial consultant Nick Anheim outlined funding options including tax abatement bonds, special law authority using enterprise fund revenues, or seeking state bonding funds. The city plans to release a request for proposals for a construction manager within two to three weeks, with construction potentially beginning this fall to avoid disrupting the 2025 swimming season.