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Council accepts engineering proposal for Minnesota Riverbank stabilization project
Summary
The Shakopee City Council unanimously accepted a proposal from Bolton & Menk to complete final engineering and permitting for a $17.5 million Minnesota Riverbank Stabilization and parks-integration project; the project is largely grant-funded and will proceed to final design and permitting in 2025.
The Shakopee City Council on Jan. 21 voted unanimously to accept a proposal from Bolton & Menk for final design and permitting work on the Minnesota Riverbank Stabilization and parks‑integration project.
The engineering proposal—listed in the council packet at $993,600—was approved after a staff presentation that reviewed a refined concept for riverbank armoring, trail realignment, overlooks, an art plaza at Levy Drive, and marina improvements. City staff said the full project budget is $17.5 million and that more than 78% of the total cost is expected to come from outside funding sources.
The project description in the presentation calls for roughly 4,000 linear feet of riverbank grading and armoring, protection of sanitary‑sewer manholes along the river, restored native landscaping and stormwater treatment, elevation or realignment of the DNR state trail to reduce annual flooding impacts, river overlooks and terraces, and ADA‑accessible improvements at the city marina. Consultants presented a marina concept that would increase the percentage of time the marina is usable for paddlers (kayaks/canoes) from 21% of river conditions today to general accessibility in about 88% of flows and ADA launches in about 58% of flows.
City staff detailed outside funding already secured or recommended, including a Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (LCCMR) recommendation (final legislative approval required), an EPA grant, a DNR recreation grant of $350,000 targeted to marina ADA accommodations, and other watershed and state bonding sources. Staff said the LCCMR award is targeted for 2026 and noted that if a recommended grant does not materialize, the city would reallocate or return to the council to scale or reprioritize elements of the project.
Councilmembers asked about parking loss at the Levy Drive plaza, flood and safety controls for the marina and trail, and whether construction would require staging or removal of existing park features. Staff said the design will accommodate ADA ramps, gangways and floating dock options at the marina, that signage and temporary closures would be used to restrict river access when flows make the marina unsafe, and that some parking removed at the plaza would be replaced by newly configured stalls near the playground and other parking areas in Huber Park.
After the presentation Councilmember Delaney moved to accept Bolton & Menk’s proposal for engineering services and Councilmember Lara seconded; the motion passed unanimously.
Council and staff said next steps are to finalize design and permitting during 2025, secure final grant awards and state funding, and prepare bids for construction in 2026.
A number of council members and staff emphasized that if grant awards shift or bids exceed estimates, the council would review options to reduce nonessential park amenities while retaining the bank stabilization and sewer‑protection elements that are the project’s core.
