Go Back

Vacation of Public Right-of-Way Easement: Minnewawa Avenue

Share Vacation of Public Right-of-Way Easement: Minnewawa Avenue on Facebook Share Vacation of Public Right-of-Way Easement: Minnewawa Avenue on Twitter Share Vacation of Public Right-of-Way Easement: Minnewawa Avenue on Linkedin Email Vacation of Public Right-of-Way Easement: Minnewawa Avenue link

In the routine process of drawing the legal boundary map for City-owned Tupa Park located at 4918- 4920 Eden Avenue, the land surveyors have an unresolved question regarding vacation of a local road that was removed in the late 1960s or early 1970s as part of the highway expansion.

Prior to the expansion of State Highway 100 in the early 1970s, a local road named Minnewawa Avenue was located east of the highway in between Eden Avenue and West 50th Street. Archival records indicate that the Minnesota Department of Highways (now called MnDOT) assembled and acquired the land needed for the highway expansion via eminent domain. Some unneeded portions of land was turned back to the City after construction of the on- and off-ramps.

Minnewawa Avenue was physically removed during the construction of the northbound on-ramp and off-ramp between 1971 and 1974. During this time, the historic Minnehaha Grange Hall building was relocated to the eastern edge of the Tupa Park property. Later, the historic Cahilll School was also relocated to Tupa Park in approximately the same location as the former Minnewawa Avenue location.

Property records from this period are sometimes difficult to find. While City staff, MnDOT staff and land surveyors have found references to the vacation of this road, we have been unable to find a recorded copy of the formal vacation of this road.

To resolve this matter and allow for a clean legal description to be prepared, the survey company and City Attorney recommend that the City conduct the typical vacation process again and affirm that the road is formally vacated.

Since this land originally platted as a local road is no longer needed as a local road, staff recommends that Minnewawa Avenue be vacated.

In the routine process of drawing the legal boundary map for City-owned Tupa Park located at 4918- 4920 Eden Avenue, the land surveyors have an unresolved question regarding vacation of a local road that was removed in the late 1960s or early 1970s as part of the highway expansion.

Prior to the expansion of State Highway 100 in the early 1970s, a local road named Minnewawa Avenue was located east of the highway in between Eden Avenue and West 50th Street. Archival records indicate that the Minnesota Department of Highways (now called MnDOT) assembled and acquired the land needed for the highway expansion via eminent domain. Some unneeded portions of land was turned back to the City after construction of the on- and off-ramps.

Minnewawa Avenue was physically removed during the construction of the northbound on-ramp and off-ramp between 1971 and 1974. During this time, the historic Minnehaha Grange Hall building was relocated to the eastern edge of the Tupa Park property. Later, the historic Cahilll School was also relocated to Tupa Park in approximately the same location as the former Minnewawa Avenue location.

Property records from this period are sometimes difficult to find. While City staff, MnDOT staff and land surveyors have found references to the vacation of this road, we have been unable to find a recorded copy of the formal vacation of this road.

To resolve this matter and allow for a clean legal description to be prepared, the survey company and City Attorney recommend that the City conduct the typical vacation process again and affirm that the road is formally vacated.

Since this land originally platted as a local road is no longer needed as a local road, staff recommends that Minnewawa Avenue be vacated.

Public Input Vacation of Public Right-of-Way Easement: Minnewawa Avenue

The City of Edina offers several ways for people to provide input on development projects. Regardless of the method, all public input is considered, so people need to use only one method. 

Instructions for leaving a public comment below:

  • Your comment will be available to City Council, staff and others to review immediately instead of waiting until the public hearing.
  • Your comment will be posted and publicly viewable as soon as you hit 'Submit'.
  • You will not be able to edit or remove your comment.
  • Please introduce yourself, your neighborhood and your thoughts about this project.
    Example: Barbara Smith, The Heights. The project is two blocks from my home and my children would have to walk past it every day on their way to school. Please consider adding sidewalks to this project.

Other ways to provide comment:

1 - Leave a voicemail with your public input at 952-826-0377. Staff will submit the transcribed voicemail to Better Together Edina. (Available once project application is submitted)

2 - Two public hearings will take place in the City Hall Council Chambers, 4801 W. 50th St. Attend the meetings in person to give public input or watch the meetings live from home on Edina TV (Comcast Channels 813 or 16), Facebook(External link) or EdinaMN.gov/LiveMeetings(External link). Call in to provide live testimony at 312-535-8110. Call in access code and password are provided in the meeting agenda which can be found at EdinaMN.gov/Agendas(External link).  

The City Council will make its decision at the City Council meeting following the second public hearing.

If you have any difficulties with participating, contact Community Engagement Manager, MJ Lamon at MLamon@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0360.

Public input closed on May 2, 2024. This item is on the May 7, 2024 City Council agenda.
Page last updated: 02 May 2024, 11:33 AM