Apple Valley council approves Kelly Park redevelopment, awards $7.87 million construction contract

The Apple Valley City Council on May 8 unanimously approved a package of actions to redevelop Kelly Park — rezoning the site, granting multiple setback variances and authorizing a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) contract of $7,873,921 with Kraus‑Anderson Construction to build the project.

The redevelopment, budgeted at $11.7 million, will add a 3,600‑square‑foot performance stage (including a 1,900‑square‑foot stage), a three‑room unisex restroom with a universal changing station, an interactive splash pad with an underground reuse vault for irrigation, expanded parking and a themed playground. The council and staff said the project will also include rooftop solar on both new buildings and a 25‑by‑15‑foot video screen for park programming.

Planning staff presented the rezoning from Planned Development (PD 739) to the P‑Institutional district and five variances to reduce required street setbacks and parking setbacks around the park. Council member Hebert moved the zoning and variances; Council member Melander seconded the motions and the council approved them by unanimous voice votes. The Park and Recreation director and the park planner had recommended the approvals and the Planning Commission had recommended approval of the variances at its April 16, 2025 meeting.

Eric Carlson, parks and recreation director, described the GMP to the council: "We're looking for the council to approve the guaranteed maximum price contract with Kraus Anderson for $7,873,921 to construct Kelly Park as it's been presented to you this evening." Carlson said construction was scheduled to begin in July 2025, finish in spring 2026 and the park would be open for public use in June 2026. He told the council the contractor and staff staged work so the existing summer concerts could proceed; work in some park areas will not begin until September, when events move to Quarry Park.

The council considered several items removed from the scope for budget reasons. Carlson said the dog run would add about $133,000 and an additional basketball court option would add about $86,000; neither feature is included in the current GMP. The playground design firm is Earthscapes (Toronto), and staff described a proposed bear‑themed play area.

Staff said the project includes stormwater improvements (five filtration basins) and that the splash pad would use an underground chamber for water reuse. Materials for the buildings will include rock‑face CMU, concrete with form liner finish, metal panels, thermally modified wood and prefinished aluminum; staff said all four sides of the structures will use the same materials.

The Park and Recreation Committee reviewed the contract on May 1 and recommended approval to the council. Following the council vote, Carlson said staff would continue permit processing and coordination with the Apple Valley Arts Foundation on programming and concert logistics.

Construction timeline and public‑use notes: contractors will avoid work in defined areas of the park during June–August so the summer concert series can continue; daytime and evening renderings shown to the council illustrated the stage and lawn layouts. Work on the mill/overlay and related road projects near the park are being coordinated with Dakota County as needed.

The motions on the rezoning, variances and the site plan were moved by Council member Hebert and seconded by Council member Melander; the GMP contract approval motion was moved by Council member Hebert and seconded by Council member Melander. All motions passed by voice vote.