Community engagement provides opportunities for members of the St. Louis Park community to participate in the decision-making processes. The city recognizes that the four study areas and surrounding areas are fixtures in the community, serving mobility, economic development, and housing needs of the community. The community is invited to participate in each phase of the plan through in person and online opportunities as identified below:
Phase 1: Explore conditions (summer 2023)
The project team reviewed the existing small area plans, studied existing conditions, and learned from the city staff and community. The team also conducted the first phase of community engagement with a web-based mapping tool and survey.
The project also hosted an in person open house on June 27, 2023, at the Municipal Service Center from 4 – 7p.m. The materials from the open house can be viewed below:
A summary of the phase 1 engagement can be found here.
Phase 2: Establish a vision and build the framework (fall - winter 2023)
In this phase, the project team used community input, past planning efforts, and existing conditions analysis to solidify a vision for the future of each gateway. This phase also provided an opportunity to test initial big ideas for each gateway within the community. Ideas that were tested ranged from potential redevelopments, new bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, additional greenspace, and roadway improvements. The community’s feedback through this phase of engagement helped to confirm and adjust these big ideas.
Engagement activities included:
- Susan B. Lindgren Fall Festival pop-up event
- Goblins on Ice pop-up event
- Era on Excelsior pop-up event
- West Excelsior business survey
- Louisiana property and business owner focus group
- Howl-O-Ween pop-up event
- Steele Toe pop-up event
- West Excelsior walking tour
- Multifamily development pop-up events
- Online survey
View summaries of phase 2 engagement
Phase 3: Assess the impact and build a plan (winter - spring 2024)
In May 2024 community members participated in online and in-person engagement for phase 3 of engagement for Arrive + Thrive. We received comments, ideas, and priorities from community members about our proposed illustrated plans and outcomes for each gateway study area.
Click here for a summary of the engagement for phase 3.
To explore specific comments and the illustrated plans and outcomes, visit our engagement website:
https://engage.mendcollaborative.com/arrive-and-thrive-park
