Wayzata residents and community leaders recently had their first glimpse of the ambitious plans for the redevelopment of the Wayzata Bay Center, as a detailed 40-page document was submitted to the City of Wayzata.
The envisioned district comprises five buildings and a public plaza, intricately divided by sidewalks and streets. The proposed development includes:
- Senior housing with 255 units
- 130,000 square feet of retail space
- 27,500 square feet of office space
- 155 units of conventional housing (condos)
- A hotel featuring 100 rooms
Steel pilings will be a prerequisite for construction given that the site was previously Gleason Creek, and still has active water draining to Lake Minnetonka.
An interesting historical anecdote suggests that a rowboat was once stored beneath the Wayzata Bay Center to periodically inspect the structure.
A line of trees is planned to shield the east neighborhood, while an aggressive stormwater management system will be implemented.
One surprising element in the plans is the inclusion of an observation tower standing at an impressive 155 feet.
This unexpected addition has raised questions about its purpose and whether it could be a strategic move to secure approval for the proposed 4-story structures.
Notably, Presbyterian Homes had initially sought approval for 5 stories on two buildings, but these heights have been scaled down to 3 and 4 stories in response to community input.
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