Highland Bank Redevelopment - Minnetonka

Twin Cities Suburbs
Anondson
IDS Center
Posts: 4646
Joined: July 21st, 2013, 8:57 pm
Location: Where West Minneapolis Once Was

Re: Highland Bank Redevelopment - Minnetonka

Postby Anondson » October 10th, 2014, 6:36 pm

Did you attend? Did the commissioners say anything on it?

Rich
Rice Park
Posts: 408
Joined: June 30th, 2012, 7:12 pm

Re: Highland Bank Redevelopment - Minnetonka

Postby Rich » October 10th, 2014, 6:57 pm

Nope. Didn't attend. I just saw it here:

http://eminnetonka.com/news_events/show ... d=Planning

min-chi-cbus
Capella Tower
Posts: 2869
Joined: June 1st, 2012, 9:19 am

Re: Highland Bank Redevelopment - Minnetonka

Postby min-chi-cbus » October 10th, 2014, 9:14 pm

Not a bad looking building.....shocked this is causing an outcry in stuffy ole Minnetonka, but maybe I shouldn't be.

Anondson
IDS Center
Posts: 4646
Joined: July 21st, 2013, 8:57 pm
Location: Where West Minneapolis Once Was

Re: Highland Bank Redevelopment - Minnetonka

Postby Anondson » November 5th, 2014, 6:58 am

The council voted 4-3 against it, saying it is too dense and too tall for Minnetonka's sensibilities.

http://www.startribune.com/local/west/281507431.html

Not sure anyone pointed out the them that their infrastructure is getting older and having more people around to pay to replace it would be helpful. Good luck Minnetonka.

twincitizen
Moderator
Posts: 6368
Joined: May 31st, 2012, 7:27 pm
Location: Standish-Ericsson

Re: Highland Bank Redevelopment - Minnetonka

Postby twincitizen » November 5th, 2014, 8:10 am

Dang...I wonder if they'll try to retool it slightly and get that 4th vote. It sounds like they were close, and the 4 "no" votes were not in total opposition to development. Just from skimming the quotes, it seems a slight reduction in density with a little more green space, landscaping, wider sidewalks, etc. should be enough to flip a vote. The Mayor was strongly in favor, as was the councilmember who represents the area...shame they couldn't get the votes together.

User avatar
woofner
Wells Fargo Center
Posts: 1242
Joined: June 1st, 2012, 10:04 am

Re: Highland Bank Redevelopment - Minnetonka

Postby woofner » November 5th, 2014, 8:27 am

Unless the plans have changed since the ones posted here in August, the comments about being supportive with changes are just a smokescreen. There is literally no way for the building to be set back further; it sits smack in the middle of the parcel.
"Who rescued whom!"

bapster2006
Foshay Tower
Posts: 913
Joined: November 17th, 2012, 6:53 pm

Re: Highland Bank Redevelopment - Minnetonka

Postby bapster2006 » November 12th, 2014, 1:02 pm

The developer requested city action be delayed to Dec 15 and it was granted.

twincitizen
Moderator
Posts: 6368
Joined: May 31st, 2012, 7:27 pm
Location: Standish-Ericsson

Re: Highland Bank Redevelopment - Minnetonka

Postby twincitizen » November 12th, 2014, 8:03 pm

They need to flip just 1 vote. They already have the mayor and the city councilor who represents the area as supporters. If it still pencils out for the developer, I'd bet they'll chop off the 6th floor (and perhaps make another minor concession or two), but I'd be surprised if this project was actually shot down. At least one "no" vote was on record saying they would've approved 4 stories. This looks easy enough to fix.

Anondson
IDS Center
Posts: 4646
Joined: July 21st, 2013, 8:57 pm
Location: Where West Minneapolis Once Was

Re: Highland Bank Redevelopment - Minnetonka

Postby Anondson » December 9th, 2014, 3:50 pm

Going back to give the city one more chance to embarrass everyone all around.

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/b ... -with.html

bapster2006
Foshay Tower
Posts: 913
Joined: November 17th, 2012, 6:53 pm

Re: Highland Bank Redevelopment - Minnetonka

Postby bapster2006 » December 16th, 2014, 1:11 pm


User avatar
sdho
US Bank Plaza
Posts: 736
Joined: August 17th, 2013, 12:54 pm
Location: The Urban Hometown®
Contact:

Re: Highland Bank Redevelopment - Minnetonka

Postby sdho » December 16th, 2014, 2:28 pm

Good to see. Surprising nobody here (by my cursory glance back) criticized the fact that the building is surrounded on all sides by parking lots. Do we just accept that this is inevitable to make this stuff work in the second ring?

User avatar
woofner
Wells Fargo Center
Posts: 1242
Joined: June 1st, 2012, 10:04 am

Re: Highland Bank Redevelopment - Minnetonka

Postby woofner » December 26th, 2014, 3:52 pm

The Strib article actually has some details on the approval:

http://www.startribune.com/local/west/286670981.html

It seems that the revisions include lowering the height by 3 (three) feet and "adding more green space" by eliminating the sidewalk along Ridgedale Drive. The site is ringed by parking, and they cut a sidewalk. Minnetonka is a great example of how most suburbs are as short-sighted as ever. Adding density while doubling down on dismal walking conditions just creates more problems down the road (granted, in this case they'll probably just end up paving over the "green space" they added).
"Who rescued whom!"

Anondson
IDS Center
Posts: 4646
Joined: July 21st, 2013, 8:57 pm
Location: Where West Minneapolis Once Was

Re: Highland Bank Redevelopment - Minnetonka

Postby Anondson » September 11th, 2015, 10:53 pm

Utility work started around the site.

Wedgeguy
Capella Tower
Posts: 3404
Joined: June 1st, 2012, 6:59 am

Re: Highland Bank Redevelopment - Minnetonka

Postby Wedgeguy » September 12th, 2015, 8:05 am

Utility work started around the site.
You mean the crazies have not files a last minute injunction to stop construction. When there is concrete being poured for the footing I'll believe that it is final underway.

Anondson
IDS Center
Posts: 4646
Joined: July 21st, 2013, 8:57 pm
Location: Where West Minneapolis Once Was

Re: Highland Bank Redevelopment - Minnetonka

Postby Anondson » December 15th, 2017, 10:27 am

Drive by this today. The retail on the ground floor looked fully leased.

The area suffers from horrendous pedestrian experiences, that’s not the fault of the developer here, Minnetonka and Hennepin County fails that. In this context, the street level isn’t bad in the way things could have been made worse. In fact this improves its location, and IMO the whole area is better for it.

After all the complaining about views (seriously?!), everything is better than fine.


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Creole4u and 22 guests