III.2. Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Project Update; Elverum
CITY OF HOPKINS
Memorandum
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Mike Mornson, City Manager
From: Kersten Elverum, Director of Planning
Date: February 6, 2024
Subject: Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Project Update
_____________________________________________________________________
PURPOSE
The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) will provide an update on their work
in the Blake Corridor including Cottageville Park and the 325 Blake Road site. There is
no official action on this item.
INFORMATION
The City of Hopkins has been working with the MCWD in partnership over the last
decade to meet shared goals of creek restoration, reduction in pollutants and enhanced
neighborhood and regional open space and park amenities. The work to date has met
with success beginning with the expansion and improvement of Cottageville Park, the
selection of a developer, Alatus, and the first phase of development in the Chorus
apartment building at 325 Blake Road.
To complete the vision for the public space, plans call for additional improvements to
Cottageville Park and surrounding MCWD property, as well as significant investment in
the portion of 325 Blake Road over which the MCWD will retain ownership. That
publically-owned property will be developed in tandem with the private development that
Alatus will be presenting at the February 13, 2024, City Council meeting as part of their
land use approvals for the development of a senior cooperative, townhome and
apartments.
MCW D staff will present the latest plans, how they integrate with the private
development, and answer any questions the City Council may have.
FUTURE ACTION
There is no future action associated with this update but it is intended to provide context
for the land use approvals that will be considered at the February 13, 2024, City Council
meeting.
Planning & Development