St. Louis Park holds public hearing on Greenway–Cedar trail connection; staff to return Feb. 17

Mayor Mohammed opened a public hearing Wednesday on the Greenway–Cedar Trail Connection, a quarter‑mile gap project intended to link Methodist Hospital with the Cedar Lake Regional Trail and improve streambank stability.

Jack Sullivan, assistant city engineer, and Michael Hayman of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District told the council the project combines a 10‑foot‑wide paved multiuse trail with targeted streambank restoration and vegetation management. Hayman said the watershed district is a “special purpose unit of government” and that it is “taxed with protecting and improving natural resources in our 178 square mile watershed.” Sullivan said the presentation this evening was a high‑level overview and that staff will return with materials and a formal recommendation at the Feb. 17 council meeting.

Staff described a two‑phase approach: preseason vegetation management (tree and buckthorn removal) before March 31 and construction beginning in summer and extending into the fall. Hennepin County provided a $200,000 grant to the project; staff presented an engineer’s estimate showing a 50/50 split of the remaining costs between the city and the watershed and indicated the city’s share was estimated at approximately $415,000 and that necessary permits (including U.S. Army Corps and watershed permits) remain to be obtained.

Two members of the public spoke during the hearing. Andy Willett, identifying himself as a bike commuter, said he supported the project as a key non‑motorized connection for people who do not use cars. Janet Kimberly, a recent St. Louis Park resident, asked whether bikes and electric bikes would be allowed on boardwalk sections, raised maintenance concerns about existing boardwalks, and asked how the project would address buckthorn removal; staff took down her questions and said they would follow up in the lobby after the meeting.

No council action was taken tonight; staff emphasized the hearing is informational and will return Feb. 17 with a formal request for council authorization. Pending items before construction include final design, interagency agreements on ownership and long‑term maintenance, permit approvals and confirmation of creek elevation for construction timing.