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March 13, 2026
<br />Steve and Members of the Selection Committee:
<br />We do what we love and love what we do because we are driven by these words: To unite
<br />and inspire so that we elevate the human experience. Our imagination is sparked by your
<br />aspirations for a flexible, vibrant, inviting Little Canada Community Building that will embody
<br />the city's “Maple Leaf Vibes” and realize the goals outlined in your Vision for 2030 to be a safe,
<br />connected, and accessible community with expansive parks and recreation opportunities.
<br />We appreciate that this is a pivotal and long-anticipated moment for the Little Canada
<br />community. This community building is a physical manifestation of your community’s
<br />evolving needs, aspirations, and dreams. Buildings like these bring communities together
<br />to create a sense of place and belonging.
<br />By remaining adaptable for future and perhaps unimaginable uses, we will ensure that the
<br />building and surrounding park spaces also create a sustainable, energy-efficient space that
<br />supports a variety of recreational programs as well as the City of Little Canada’s long-term
<br />financial needs.
<br />To design a building that achieves these goals for the community, we must begin with the
<br />community. Building on the work the Technical Advisory Committee has done to date, we will
<br />partner with you to imagine a community center that will represent a manifestation of the
<br />stories, visions, and aspirations shared during community conversations and engagement.
<br />We are committed to designing a flexible, resilient, welcoming community hub that will be a
<br />source of pride for the city and its residents.
<br />A Minneapolis-based firm, OPN Architects has spent four decades designing community
<br />spaces with purpose, including multiple award-winning community and recreation spaces
<br />that have met goals similar to those you have for the new community building in Little Canada.
<br />Our approach to the design of these facilities focuses on maximizing efficiencies and
<br />seeking sustainable and energy-efficient opportunities that align with your wellness goals,
<br />while also creating an open, inviting, connected, and inspirational recreation environment
<br />that encourages use by all ages, socioeconomic backgrounds and fitness levels.
<br />For this project, we have assembled a proven subconsultant team who will be a trusted
<br />extension of the city’s parks and recreation staff throughout this process that brings
<br />experience in similar community projects around the Twin Cities. We’re currently working
<br />with both Emanuelson-Podas, our mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering firm,
<br />and MBJ, our structural engineers, on a project with similar goals for the City of Edina.
<br />Individually and as a team, we have worked on numerous projects both public and private
<br />in the community. OPN and Bolton & Menk, your preferred civil engineering and landscape
<br />architecture partner, have a long history of collaboration on many projects.
<br />As a team, our approach to this project will reflect our firm’s core values and yours. We
<br />believe the best buildings are designed for the unexpected by respecting and elevating
<br />the communities they are designed for and with. This project is an opportunity to explore
<br />together what is possible. We can’t wait to get started!
<br />Sincerely,
<br />Joe Wallace, AIA
<br />Associate Principal
<br />(612) 523-2110
<br />jwallace@opnarchitects.com
<br />Cover Letter We believe community spaces must be
<br />A Social Forum: A place to gather
<br />and foster love for community.
<br />Welcoming: A safe and healthy
<br />environment that draws people of all
<br />ages to gather and participate in social
<br />engagement year-round.
<br />Catalyzing: A beacon for a community
<br />that manifests the city's commitment
<br />to inclusion, community, and strong
<br />relationships.
<br />Flexible: Great public spaces
<br />are designed to anticipate and
<br />accommodate changes to programs,
<br />spatial needs, and technological
<br />advancements, as well as
<br />complementing existing community
<br />gathering spaces.
<br />Healthy: Promote healthy environments
<br />through attention to air quality, acoustic
<br />quality, lighting, and thermal comfort,
<br />as well as encouraging increased park
<br />usership.
<br />Exemplary: A champion for community
<br />and individual wellness through physical
<br />and philosophical resiliency.
<br />Innovative: Seeing a space used in
<br />ways we didn’t envision or imagine is an
<br />exciting moment. In fact, it's our goal.
<br />Joyful: Support community through
<br />engaging, educational, and joyful
<br />experiences.
<br />Sustainable: High-performance,
<br />beautifully daylit, sustainable buildings
<br />not only create healthier places for
<br />community members to visit, they also
<br />save money.
<br />212 North Third Avenue
<br />Suite 312
<br />Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401
<br />opnarchitects.com
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