Search found 13 matches

by BenFranske
March 13th, 2018, 8:51 am
Forum: Suburbs
Topic: Southdale Area - Edina
Replies: 798
Views: 243076

Re: Southdale Area Development - Edina

You're right. I found an older article explaining. It will be entirely separate, no connection to the mall at all. I thought I had read something along those lines. Life Time, which will not have an entrance into the mall, is known for including its own assortment of mall-like services such as resta...
by BenFranske
March 12th, 2018, 11:09 pm
Forum: Suburbs
Topic: Southdale Area - Edina
Replies: 798
Views: 243076

Re: Southdale Area Development - Edina

From what I've read I understood it to be a complete teardown and new buildings. See also: Connected by a glass enclosed winter-garden atrium and exterior plaza, the new space will appeal to guests of all ages and increase traffic to the rest of the historic mall. I think they are building freestand...
by BenFranske
February 20th, 2018, 12:11 pm
Forum: Suburbs
Topic: Southdale Area - Edina
Replies: 798
Views: 243076

Re: Southdale Area Development - Edina

That's an interesting project and much nicer looking than most infrastructure projects these days. Having toured some water works facilities in Europe as well as some east coast cities, or event seeing the plant in NE Minneapolis it's interesting how so many of these have become simple 'bunkers' rat...
by BenFranske
February 2nd, 2018, 11:42 am
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Public Transit News / Current Events (MN only)
Replies: 2909
Views: 701513

Re: Public Transit News and Current Happenings

Not sure I'd seen this detail on the plan before but MT is planning to run both tracks outbound to disperse crowds after the Superbowl. http://www.startribune.com/metro-transit-braces-for-biggest-test-super-bowl/472361763/ FWIW I think they should have led with this when they were discussing SB tran...
by BenFranske
January 17th, 2018, 4:35 pm
Forum: Suburbs
Topic: Southdale Area - Edina
Replies: 798
Views: 243076

Re: Southdale Area Development - Edina

A Lifetime Fitness "lifestyle center"
by BenFranske
November 17th, 2017, 3:52 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Public Transit News / Current Events (MN only)
Replies: 2909
Views: 701513

Re: Public Transit News and Current Happenings

This all just feels like another proxy way to be mad about the stadium. For some people it might be. For me it's not, I more or less passively supported (or at least accepted) the stadium. Granted I'm not really taking sides for or against Metro Transit here either, I don't think it's the hill to d...
by BenFranske
November 17th, 2017, 3:41 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Dan Patch Intercity Regional Passenger Rail
Replies: 180
Views: 158632

Re: Dan Patch Intercity Regional Passenger Rail

I don't see removing the gag order as too politically volatile just because it's quite low-profile and doesn't commit to anything. Indeed, it's just stupid. It's what you do when you're so afraid of what a study might say you want to prevent anyone from even asking the question. It would be like bi...
by BenFranske
November 17th, 2017, 11:34 am
Forum: Suburbs
Topic: Edina – General Topics
Replies: 85
Views: 31298

Re: Edina – General Topics

Amen to that! I see the same in the 44th & France Small Area Plan goings on. Definitely. I've talked about it at length with my parents too (I grew up here and they still live here too, but will probably be downsizing in the next 10 years -- likely to a condo in the 44th/50th area). My feeling ...
by BenFranske
November 17th, 2017, 11:25 am
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Dan Patch Intercity Regional Passenger Rail
Replies: 180
Views: 158632

Re: Dan Patch Intercity Regional Passenger Rail

I was at the meetings too and voiced my support through the comment sheets and talking to the mayor and transit planner face to face. I'm nervous enough speaking in crowds, so a hostile one I avoid if possible. I'm a professor and deal with public speaking on a pretty regular basis so it's no big d...
by BenFranske
November 16th, 2017, 3:38 pm
Forum: Suburbs
Topic: Edina – General Topics
Replies: 85
Views: 31298

Re: Edina – General Topics

I actually live quite close to this little node. (Valley view & Wooddale -ed.) Hah, me too, about 3-4 blocks away. Apparently two proposals were received so far. I am looking forward to a high end condo or row house building. The westbound traffic here can back up a few blocks during rush hour ...
by BenFranske
November 16th, 2017, 3:29 pm
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Public Transit News / Current Events (MN only)
Replies: 2909
Views: 701513

Re: Public Transit News and Current Happenings

It is a requirement by Homeland Security due to the nature of the event. Don't get me wrong, I hate it as much as the next person, but it isn't Metro Transit's fault. Blame the NFL and Dept of Homeland Security. I'm not really taking a side in this battle but I do think that people are a little too...
by BenFranske
November 16th, 2017, 11:44 am
Forum: Transportation
Topic: Dan Patch Intercity Regional Passenger Rail
Replies: 180
Views: 158632

Re: Dan Patch Intercity Regional Passenger Rail

Just to close the loop here... The city of Edina decided not to pursue further study of Dan Patch at this time. I was at one of the community meetings/open houses and it was a pretty stacked and angry room full of people living along the corridor who were vehemently opposed so I would say this is no...
by BenFranske
November 16th, 2017, 11:37 am
Forum: Suburbs
Topic: Edina – General Topics
Replies: 85
Views: 31298

Re: Edina – General Topics

Town Hall Station was finished in August or September. It has been packed every night since then. It is a huge amenity to the neighborhood. I live within easy walking distance of THS and go by on my way home every day. It definitely has been a very busy spot even late into the evening (a couple day...