The much-anticipated demolition of five Blake Road corridor buildings launched this week.
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District is performing the work on about two acres of land it bought south of . The project is a partnership in which the city agreed to pay for the design and construction of the expanded parkland.
The extra green space improves water quality, adds space for residents to relax and enhances the image of the neighborhood—in addition to creating the potential for canoe landings.
Workers moved equipment onto the site Thursday and began tearing down the first building Friday morning.
The Hopkins project is part of a larger effort to restore Minnehaha Creek. Two years ago, the district completed a re-meander of the creek next to Methodist Hospital. It will next work on a St. Louis Park section between Louisiana Avenue and the Cedar Lake Regional Trail.
As a former Hopkins Park Board Chair, and current member of the Hopkins Zoning and Planning Commission, we have looked hard at doing something with this area to open it up to Cottageville Park. As you are aware, the City of Hopkins, along with local residents of Blake Road, have been working on a master comprehensive plan for the revitalization of this corridor. I believe the current efforts of the MCWD will be a major improvement to this neighborhood. Thank you, and the rest of the MCWD Board, for efforts in making this revitalization move another step closer to reality!! Aaron Kuznia, Hopkins Resident