Edina council hears $17.6 million Presidents A & B street‑reconstruction proposal, with assessments and multimodal trade‑offs

City staff presented details of a proposed $17.6 million Presidents A & B neighborhood reconstruction program during a Dec. 9 public hearing of the Edina City Council, outlining full water‑main replacement, sewer repairs, storm‑drain improvements, curb and gutter replacement and a mix of sidewalk and shared‑use path bicycle/pedestrian facilities.

Assistant City Engineer Aaron Ditzler told the council the project area covers about 2.7 miles of local streets and 301 properties, many built in the 1950s–1960s. Staff said the neighborhood’s average pavement condition index is 26, compared with a citywide average of 78, and recommended replacing deteriorated water mains, hydrants, valves and water services based on acoustic testing and a history of breaks.

Staff proposed funding the work through a combination of city utility funds (water, sanitary, storm), property tax support, a Pedestrian & Cyclist Safety (PACS) fund for sidewalks and shared‑use paths, and special assessments for benefited…