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Residents press council over Grandview Square lighting, pedestrian bridge ADA issues and France Avenue tunnel accessibility
Summary
Multiple residents raised nighttime-safety and accessibility concerns at Grandview Square and questioned ADA compliance for the proposed France Avenue tunnel and Grandview pedestrian bridge; staff said one additional light would be installed mid‑block and described inspections and agreements regarding the bridge and ADA review.
Several residents addressed the Edina City Council on Oct. 22 to press for restored lighting at Grandview Square, to question ADA compliance for a proposed France Avenue tunnel, and to ask about review roles for pedestrian-bridge design.
Jan Del Kelsall told the council the area around 5225 Grandview Square is dark following removal of prior lights and asked that the city meet promptly with residents to determine the number and placement of new fixtures. “I believe there's a consensus that it's dark and that there should be more light,” she said, and described tripping hazards near parking curbs and concerns about loitering.
Resident David Frankel raised ADA concerns for the proposed France Avenue tunnel, saying he had reviewed materials and found little explicit ADA analysis; he noted a small animated video in the materials that he said “doesn't even come close to being ADA compliant.” Councilmembers and staff acknowledged the concern and asked for clearer documentation during later design phases.
In response to earlier public questions, City Manager Neal summarized staff follow-ups posted online after the Oct. 7 meeting. Neal said the city would add one more light in the mid-block area at Grandview Square and that staff would revisit the total lighting plan. On the Roslyn Park pedestrian bridge, Neal said MnDOT structural engineers inspected the bridge following a vehicle strike and cleared it for continued use, but that the Minnesota Council on Disability was not involved in the original design review (it provided input after a Department of Justice inquiry). Neal also described the city’s “Echo Data Analytics” software used by the fire department for operational analysis, and clarified that there are two facilities labeled “Fire Station 2” in mapping data but that only one will be operational after a dedication and Google listing update expected after Oct. 30.
Councilmembers asked staff to follow up with more detailed ADA compliance documentation for the France Avenue tunnel design and to schedule a meeting with affected residents about lighting placement at Grandview Square.
