WAYZATA — Members of the Minnesota House Capital Investment Committee visited Wayzata on Wednesday, November 13, arriving on time for a scheduled stop at Depot Park to learn more about the City’s $9 million state bonding request. The visit allowed legislators to hear directly from Wayzata leadership about future phases of Panoway and the need for public safety facility design work.
A Significant Bonding Request for the Lakefront and Public Safety
Wayzata is seeking $9 million in State support to continue its long-planned Panoway improvements and to complete design work for future police and fire upgrades. The City walked lawmakers through the broad vision: expanding public access to Lake Minnetonka, strengthening environmental protections along the shoreline, and preparing for facility needs tied to modern public safety operations.
Depot Park—anchored by the historic James J. Hill Depot—served as the setting for the visit, blending Wayzata’s past with its long-range waterfront planning.
Mayor Mullin’s Remarks
Mayor Andrew Mullin welcomed the committee and acknowledged members of the City Council, public safety leadership, Public Works, Community Development, and the Wayzata Conservancy who attended the visit.
He offered legislators a brief overview of Panoway’s history, noting that planning began in 2009 and that construction of the first phase started in 2020. Last summer’s work completed major improvements along the shoreline.
To provide context for the committee, Mullin explained that Lake Minnetonka means “big water,” and Wayzata means “North Shore.” As the eastern gateway to the lake—and the closest community to Highway 394 and Minneapolis—Wayzata functions as a primary point of access to one of Minnesota’s most visited lakes.
He highlighted that more than 95% of the lake’s shoreline is privately owned, making Wayzata’s public access especially meaningful. Panoway was designed to reclaim and expand this public realm by converting paved areas into green space, improving pedestrian connections, and creating a welcoming waterfront for both residents and visitors. He also noted Wayzata’s ability to host roughly 10,000 visitors a day in peak periods despite being a city of just 4,500 residents.
Mullin closed by emphasizing Wayzata’s commitment to historic preservation, including the James J. Hill Depot and an additional historic cottage recently added to the National Register.
City Manager Aurora Yager on Stewardship and Preservation
City Manager Aurora Yager highlighted the City’s ongoing work to restore and preserve the Section Foreman House, a historic railroad-era structure that sits along the eastern edge of the Panoway corridor. She described the refurbishment effort as part of a broader commitment to being good stewards of the land, ensuring that Wayzata’s lakefront, green spaces, and heritage assets are protected and thoughtfully maintained for future generations.
Yager’s remarks underscored that Panoway is not only an access and infrastructure project—it is an environmental, cultural, and historical stewardship project as well.
What Legislators Saw on the Ground
City staff outlined how Panoway’s next phases would extend pedestrian-oriented improvements along the shoreline, strengthen environmental buffers, and complete the remaining components of the original vision. Public safety leaders also discussed planning needs for modernized police and fire facilities.
Next Steps
Wayzata’s bonding request now advances into the 2026 legislative process. The Capital Investment Committee will evaluate projects from across Minnesota as it prepares the next statewide bonding bill. Wayzata will continue engaging legislators as deliberations begin early next year.
Wayzata.com will follow the City’s progress and report on key developments as the bonding conversation moves forward.
