West Calhoun Neighborhood Council
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Community Blood Drive May 8 - 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
One in every three people will need blood sometime in their life. Now's your opportunity to do something for someone who is in need. The Blood Drive will be Wednesday, May 8 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in the Lake Calhoun Executive Center Parking Lot at 3033 Excelsior Blvd. Schedule your appointment online using the sponsor code 9636. Sign up now to get the time exact time you want. The blood drive has been organized by Coldwell Banker Burnet, West Calhoun Neighborhood Council, Businesses of The Edge and Memorial Blood Centers.
Annual Meeting: Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 5:30 p.m., The Bakken Museum
Please join us for the West Calhoun Neighborhood Council Annual Meeting and Elections on Tuesday, May 14, 2013, at 5:30 p.m. at The Bakken Museum, 3537 Zenith Ave. S. Enjoy some delicious pizza (generously donated by Whole Foods Market) while we hear updates from Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman, Minneapolis Park Board Assistant Superintendent Bruce Chamberlain and Metro Transit's Community Outreach Coordinator for the Southwest LRT Sophia Ginis. Meet our WCNC Board of Directors and consider joining this group. They are working hard to represent your interests in the Southwest Transitway planning and in many other issues affecting the neighborhood. If you're interested in more information about the Board, contact Rhea at 612-928-3511 or info@westcalhoun.org.
Help us answer these important questions about neighborhood priorities:
The West Calhoun Neighborhood Council invites and encourages participation by every resident to each program, service and event organized by WCNC. Should you require an accommodation in order for you to fully participate, or if you require this document in a different format, please let us know by contacting us at 612-928-3511 at least five days before our event.
Help us answer these important questions about neighborhood priorities:
- If you could change one thing about West Calhoun neighborhood, what would it be?
- If WCNC had money to invest in a project in West Calhoun neighborhood, what should they do?
The West Calhoun Neighborhood Council invites and encourages participation by every resident to each program, service and event organized by WCNC. Should you require an accommodation in order for you to fully participate, or if you require this document in a different format, please let us know by contacting us at 612-928-3511 at least five days before our event.
SW LRT Station Area Planning Open House - Video
"Southwest Light Rail - The West Calhoun Neighborhood's Unique Perspective" is a short video filmed at the May 2 Station Area Planning Open House. The video includes interviews with Katie Walker, Transit Project Manager, and members of the West Calhoun Neighborhood Council Board of Directors. Click here to view the video.
Capstone Traffic Studies
In response to future SW LRT and present day traffic issues, five Capstone projects have taken place to address traffic issues on West Calhoun's huge landmark intersection at Lake St. and Excelsior Boulevard and the immediately adjacent area. These projects include:
- Spring 2011 Traffic Assessment and Recommendations
- Fall 2011 Y-Intersection Elimination Conceptual Design and Cost Estimate
- Fall 2011 Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge Conceptual Design and Cost Estimate
- Fall 2012 North-South Connector Street Exploration and Throughway Traffic Modeling
- Fall 2012 Structured Parking Facility Conceptual Evaluation
Editorial: A Case Study in Urban Density
See below for the full-length version of this editorial, which was printed in the Spring 2013 Wavelength newsletter.
| a_case_study_in_urban_density_full_length.pdf |
WCNC Response to Draft Environmental Impact Statement
See below for West Calhoun Neighborhood Council's response to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Southwest Transitway.
| wcnc_deis_cover_letter_final_signed.pdf |
| wcnc_comments_on_the_southwest_transitway_draft_environmental_impact_statement_final.doc |
West Calhoun Parking Study
West Calhoun Neighborhood Council recently commissioned a parking study of the area within a half mile radius of the proposed West Lake Station of the Southwest Transitway (LRT). The study included the parking lots at Calhoun Village, Calhoun Commons and the Lake Calhoun Executive Center as well as on-street parking. See study below.
| west_calhoun_parking_study_1.pdf |
City and county officials met with West Calhoun residents on October 22 to look at the walkability of the neighborhood. From left to right, David Rhees (WCNC President), Meg Forney (WCNC), Paul Mogush (CPED), Michael Larson (Hennepin County), Colleen Dreher (West Calhoun resident), and Aaron Shaffer (WCNC).
West Calhoun Walking Workshop
At WCNC’s Annual Meeting, attendees discussed the complex interplay of issues that come with increasing neighborhood population density; namely, extreme traffic congestion in the Lake Street corridor due to heavy east-west commuter traffic plus added heavy traffic seeking access to the north side of Lake Calhoun, a resulting parking glut, and pedestrian and bike safety at heavily-used intersections due to the people seeking to cross that same corridor to walk or bike to the lake.
To address these issues, Hennepin Commissioner Gail Dorfman suggested a walking workshop with representatives from all stakeholder groups. On October 22, some 40 people - a mix of city, county, city planners, LRT planners, community leaders and citizens - gathered for a walking tour of West Calhoun, with the charge to look at the walkability of the neighborhood.
At a de-briefing after the walk, the groups reported that they had observed extremely heavy traffic, some areas of severe congestion, intimidating and even dangerous intersections, inadequate cross walk markings and signage, narrow sidewalks with no buffer on the street side, barriers on sidewalks. Driver behavior was also noted: excessive speed, running red lights, illegal turns on red, some areas where left turns are dangerous or at least congesting (e.g., cars turning left across traffic from Market Plaza into Calhoun Commons) and perhaps should be prohibited.
Potential short term and long term solutions were discussed. City and county officials will use these to make changes and to inform future planning for the area.
To address these issues, Hennepin Commissioner Gail Dorfman suggested a walking workshop with representatives from all stakeholder groups. On October 22, some 40 people - a mix of city, county, city planners, LRT planners, community leaders and citizens - gathered for a walking tour of West Calhoun, with the charge to look at the walkability of the neighborhood.
At a de-briefing after the walk, the groups reported that they had observed extremely heavy traffic, some areas of severe congestion, intimidating and even dangerous intersections, inadequate cross walk markings and signage, narrow sidewalks with no buffer on the street side, barriers on sidewalks. Driver behavior was also noted: excessive speed, running red lights, illegal turns on red, some areas where left turns are dangerous or at least congesting (e.g., cars turning left across traffic from Market Plaza into Calhoun Commons) and perhaps should be prohibited.
Potential short term and long term solutions were discussed. City and county officials will use these to make changes and to inform future planning for the area.
Design charrette participants David Rhees (left) and Meg Forney.
Envisioning Larger Park Patronage: Problems and Promise
Envision both north Lake Calhoun and south Lake of Isles as one contiguous entity, toss in over 200 neighbors, stir in a few professional designers and watch the creative ideas percolate! The Minneapolis Park Board (MPRB) recently led a preliminary park design study to take a fresh look at the landscape between these two lakes through a multi-day community design event or charrette which engaged the public in envisioning the future of the area. The MPRB has earmarked $3.7 million (2015-2016) for improvements to the Chain of Lakes Regional Park, which includes this area.
Two startling facts were shared: Excelsior Blvd/W. Lake Street at West Calhoun Parkway carries the highest number of cars in Hennepin County (39,300 per day) and the Chain of Lakes is the second most visited place in Minnesota with 1.3 million users coming to Lake Calhoun. As MPRB Superintendent Bruce Chamberlain states, "it is a freeway driving through the parks."
Development is putting significant pressure on the safety and enjoyment of the park. The popular Tin Fish, Midtown Greenway, and Wheel Fun have already brought new guests to the park. The Calhoun Sailing Club has grown to be the largest between the coasts. And private development is bringing greater urban density to the edge. However, this development also brings exciting opportunities to reimagine the landscape’s place in the life of the city.
Another circumstance with high impact for the area is future SW LRT West Lake Station to be built within a half mile of Lake Calhoun. WCNC is tuned to the issues and potential outcomes of this neighbor. With a history of fatalities here, we need to advocate for safe accessibility as we welcome new park and light rail users. Written by WCNC Board Member Meg Forney with excerpts from MPRB's website: http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?Page ID=1398.
Two startling facts were shared: Excelsior Blvd/W. Lake Street at West Calhoun Parkway carries the highest number of cars in Hennepin County (39,300 per day) and the Chain of Lakes is the second most visited place in Minnesota with 1.3 million users coming to Lake Calhoun. As MPRB Superintendent Bruce Chamberlain states, "it is a freeway driving through the parks."
Development is putting significant pressure on the safety and enjoyment of the park. The popular Tin Fish, Midtown Greenway, and Wheel Fun have already brought new guests to the park. The Calhoun Sailing Club has grown to be the largest between the coasts. And private development is bringing greater urban density to the edge. However, this development also brings exciting opportunities to reimagine the landscape’s place in the life of the city.
Another circumstance with high impact for the area is future SW LRT West Lake Station to be built within a half mile of Lake Calhoun. WCNC is tuned to the issues and potential outcomes of this neighbor. With a history of fatalities here, we need to advocate for safe accessibility as we welcome new park and light rail users. Written by WCNC Board Member Meg Forney with excerpts from MPRB's website: http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?Page ID=1398.
New Development at Bigos-Calhoun Greenway
Bigos presented plans for a new apartment building along the Greenway at the January and February WCNC meetings. The presentation from the January meeting can be viewed in the pdf below and the January minutes are also posted on this page. The WCNC board responded in March to the proposed plans and a copy of that letter is below.
After the proposed Dwell at Calhoun Greenway Land Use and Redevelopment Plan was submitted to the city, the West Calhoun Neighborhood Council voted on and approved an Action Requests letter that was sent to the city on June 16, 2012. That document can also be seen below (dwelllettertoplanning6-12).
After the proposed Dwell at Calhoun Greenway Land Use and Redevelopment Plan was submitted to the city, the West Calhoun Neighborhood Council voted on and approved an Action Requests letter that was sent to the city on June 16, 2012. That document can also be seen below (dwelllettertoplanning6-12).
| dwelllettertoplanning6-12.pdf |
| 120110-bigos_calhoun_greenway-_wcn_meetingsm.pdf |
| wcboardlettertobigos3-8-12.pdf |
| wcncwavelengthspring2012.pdf |
| 1-10-12_meeting_minutes.pdf |
| 2-21-12_meeting_minutes.pdf |
Southwest Light Rail Transit Issues and Actions
West Calhoun Neighborhood Council--working for you while supporting the concerns of our neighbors
The proposed $1.2 billion Southwest light rail transit (SWLRT) line running between Eden Prairie and downtown Minneapolis has the potential to benefit the West Calhoun neighborhood. Our unique area as well as the adjacent communities will pose a challenge to designers and engineers. These challenges must be met so that SWLRT contributes to, enhances, and preserves our attractive and well-functioning community by demanding the highest design standards and most effective mitigation practices available to ensure long-term benefits for our city.
Your West Calhoun Board of Directors has been instrumental in advocating for the goals of West Calhoun through various advisory committees, coalitions and working groups and will participate in the review process this spring when a 5,000 page Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is released.
UPDATE: The DEIS is expected to be release on Friday, October 12, 2012 with a 45 day public comment period.
West Calhoun continues to participate, along with other affected neighborhoods in the following groups and coalitions, studies and advisory committees that have been studying and learning from each other as well as working with professionals involved in the project.
For more information, continue to our "Hot Topics" page.
The proposed $1.2 billion Southwest light rail transit (SWLRT) line running between Eden Prairie and downtown Minneapolis has the potential to benefit the West Calhoun neighborhood. Our unique area as well as the adjacent communities will pose a challenge to designers and engineers. These challenges must be met so that SWLRT contributes to, enhances, and preserves our attractive and well-functioning community by demanding the highest design standards and most effective mitigation practices available to ensure long-term benefits for our city.
Your West Calhoun Board of Directors has been instrumental in advocating for the goals of West Calhoun through various advisory committees, coalitions and working groups and will participate in the review process this spring when a 5,000 page Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is released.
UPDATE: The DEIS is expected to be release on Friday, October 12, 2012 with a 45 day public comment period.
West Calhoun continues to participate, along with other affected neighborhoods in the following groups and coalitions, studies and advisory committees that have been studying and learning from each other as well as working with professionals involved in the project.
- Southwest LRT Station Area Strategic Planning Community Members' Working Group (CMWG) http://www.southwesttransitway.org/
- Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Community Advisory Committee (MPRB CAC)
- Diverse Multi-Stakeholder Group Surrounding West Lake Station
- Coalition of Minneapolis’ SW LRT Corridor Neighborhoods
- Southwest LRT Station Area Strategic Planning: Minneapolis
For more information, continue to our "Hot Topics" page.
WCNC Updated Bylaws
At our May 11, 2010 Annual Meeting, we voted to update our WCNC bylaws. We have added a conflict of interest policy and have made minor language changes. Copies of the bylaws showing the changes (track changes) and the final version (accept changes) are available for download below. A paper copy will be made available on request. Contact us at 612-928-3511 or info@westcalhoun.org.
| wcnc_bylaws_042610_track_changes.doc |
| wcnc_bylaws_042610_accept_changes.doc |
| wcnc_bylaws_042610_accept_changes.pdf |
West Calhoun Neighborhood Council
West Calhoun Neighborhood Council meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at The Bakken Museum, West 36th Street and West Calhoun Parkway. All business and residential neighbors are welcome to attend. You can leave a message with comments, questions or concerns on the West Calhoun Neighborhood Council Voicemail Hotline at 612-928-3511 or e-mail us at info@westcalhoun.org.
2012-13 Board of Directors
David Rhees, Chair
Richard Logan, Vice Chair
John Abraham-Watne, Treasurer
Kathleen Cobb
Meg Forney
Gary Knutson
Aaron Shaffer
Mary Underwood
All WCNC meetings are open to the public. If you live, work or own property in the neighborhood, we welcome your participation. For more information, contact Rhea Sullivan at info@westcalhoun.org or call 612-928-3511.
Neighborhood Boundaries
West Calhoun is bounded by West Calhoun Parkway on the East, West Lake Street on the North, West 36th Street on the South and France Avenue on the West. The neighborhood includes Lake Calhoun's northern shoreline, Calhoun Commons and surrounding businesses, many residential buildings and 32 homes.
Our Meeting Space: The Bakken Museum
We are very pleased about our meeting space at The Bakken Museum, located at the intersection of West 36th Street, just off West Calhoun Parkway. The meeting rooms are cozy and inviting. Parking is available in the parking lot on the north side of the building and on West 36th Street.
The Bakken Museum is an independent, nonprofit educational institution that collects archival materials related to the history of electricity and magenetism in medicine and the life sciences. It was founded in 1975 by Earl E. Bakken, inventor of the first transistorized cardiac pacemaker and founder of Medtronic, Inc. For more information about The Bakken Museum, visit their website at www.thebakken.org.
West Calhoun Neighborhood Profile
Based on the 2010 US Census:
1,741 residents
288 owner-occupied housing units
898 renter-occupied housing units
Average household size: 1.4 people
For more information on neighborhood demographics and statistics, go to: http://www.mncompass.org/twincities/neighborhoods.php or City of Minneapolis profile or visit the Community Planning and Economic Development website.
