As part of an ongoing effort to revitalize Golden Valley’s downtown district, the City is undertaking a unified approach to urban design with the goal of enhancing the downtown character; improving walkability, biking, and access to transit; and analyzing the potential for reinvestment and redevelopment.
The City’s 2021 Downtown Study examined how the area around the intersection of Golden Valley Rd and Winnetka Ave could be redeveloped in the future. While that study provided long-term guidance on land uses and patterns of redevelopment within the downtown, its broad focus did not look at streetscape improvements and a wayfinding plan in response to redevelopment.
As a next step, the City has contracted with Van Meter Williams Pollack LLP to develop a "User Experience Framework" that will include community engagement, best practices for streetscape and wayfinding, and a plan to guide redevelopment work.
After reviewing existing conditions, the consultant will:
- create an engagement plan to provide equitable and accessible opportunities for everyone to participate in the project
- conduct a market gap analysis of the downtown trade area
- use spatial modeling to evaluate development feasibility
- develop an access and circulation map and guidance for streetscape and wayfinding design
- provide a phasing plan with short- to long-term implementation
The project is funded through a $50,000 Hennepin County Business District Initiative Grant with a $35,000 match from the City's 2024 Capital Improvement Project (CIP) budget.
To learn more, visit the website and attend the virtual open house on Tuesday, June 4, 6–8 pm.