CC WORKSESSION PACKET 08302021- Joint with Park and Environmental

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1 Charlie Yunker From:czahrbock@gmail.com Sent:Tuesday, August 17, 2021 4:46 PM To:Randy Stille; Jan Jenson; Tom Randle; Bernard Walker; Wendy Webster; Therese Bellinger; James Niemi; Michael Guest; Patrick Penner; Renee Reed Cc:Charlie Yunker; 'Paul McHugh'; 'Susan Guthrie'; 'Tom Deegan'; gzahrbock@gmail.com; 'John Kufus'; 'Dave Colling'; 'Jesse Pikturna'; 'Beth Comstock Wandell' Subject:Agenda Item on your August 30th Joint Working Session Caution: This email originated outside our organization; please use caution. Dear St. Anthony Village Mayor, City Council members, and Parks/Environmental Commission members, Representing a group of engaged St. Anthony village residents, I was pleased to present a power point deck with our thoughts in support of a walking/bike path and new park/community gathering space during the June 7, 2021 Parks and Environmental Commission meeting. In response, our recommendations and the deck will be on the agenda for your joint work session on August 30, 2021. Thank you in advance for your consideration of the demonstrated need for green space access for south St. Anthony Seniors, Urban Grove residents and single-family residents in South St. Anthony Village. We are proud to be part of a community dedicated to being a progressive and welcoming Village that is walkable, sustainable and safe. With the significant number of Senior (over the age of 55 years) residents in south St. Anthony, (Walker Residence, Legacy, Autumn Woods, The Kenzington) and increase of Senior residents through Development 65, the needs for a walkable, safe community gathering green space also increased. With the growth of Urban Grove and the new Interstate Development building at Lowry and Stinson, additional families are also in need of safe green space. In discussions with St. Anthony, Minneapolis, and Hennepin County employees and leaders, we’ve learned of significant work projected for Kenzie Terrace/Lowry avenue between now and 2025. Examples are the upgrade to Kenzie Terrace (eliminating turn lane, beautify the boulevard) and the Hennepin County initiative to improve traffic flow and safety on Lowry/Kenzie Terrace. This is the perfect time to incorporate community gathering and improved bike path/walking paths into the planning and to link into the Grand Rounds paths. During the June 7 Parks and Environmental Commission meeting, Tom Archambault, owner of the lot at 2601 Kenzie Terrace indicated he is willing to sell the property. As community members, we are available and interested in working with you on these issues. In addition, through conversations with Hennepin County Commissioner Irene Fernando and State Senator Kari Dziedzic, they are interested in supporting this initiative. We hope that you will ensure community dialogue will occur that includes south St. Anthony residents of all ages. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration and please feel free to contact me or any of our group members if you have any questions. Yours sincerely,