Construction along the lakeshore for the PanowayLakewalk project is advancing despite the dropping temperatures in Wayzata.
These steel templates help guide the piles that must be driven into the lake bed in order to build the Lakewalk. Image courtesy City of Wayzata.
According to a release from the City of Wayzata, Contractors have successfully completed the most time-consuming aspect of the initiative: the installation of concrete piles into the lakebed, providing essential support and long-term stability to withstand the state’s diverse weather conditions.
In the coming weeks, focus will shift to the installation of the lakewalk’s remaining components. This includes connecting structural steel between each pair of pilings and integrating precast concrete to link individual segments of the lakewalk seamlessly.
As the project moves forward, an intriguing twist awaits the construction teams – they will continue their work on frozen Wayzata Bay. The final three significant phases, encompassing the installation of decking, railings, and new transient docks, are all set to be completed before Memorial Day.
Anticipation is growing within the community as the Panoway Lakewalk project progresses, promising an enhanced lakeside experience for residents and visitors alike. The construction’s ability to adapt to changing weather conditions underscores the resilience of the project and the dedication of those involved in its realization. With Memorial Day as the target completion date, the transformed lakewalk is poised to be a key attraction for the upcoming summer season.
The Panoway dock installation project has successfully navigated some recent challenges, securing approval for an enhanced design from both the City Council and the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD) in recent days. Key modifications to the Depot Docks and Broadway Docks have been integrated into the approved plans, addressing concerns and ensuring compliance with the 150 feet limit set by the LMCD.
The changes come after a variance denial by the LMCD in October where the City of Wayzata requested an additional 40 feet beyond the 150 foot dock length limit set for municipal docks by LMCD code.
A redesigned dock proposal was presented by Civitas at a recent Council Meeting held on November 2nd after the Dock Working Group reviewed the updated design on Tuesday, October 31.
The revised plan, was crafted to meet both the aesthetic and functional objectives of the Panoway dock project, has now received approval from both the City Council and the LMCD.
This joint effort involving the City, Civitas, staff, and consultants demonstrates a committed approach to finding a solution that aligns with regulatory guidelines and meets the varied project requirements.
Summary of Changes
Depot Docks:
Original Plan: 17 transient slips (19 total vessels).
Current Plan: 18 transient slips (20 total vessels).
Changes:
Shifted largest vessels west to fit within the 150 feet limit.
Shifted loading zone east, creating a straight 70 feet long loading area for larger commercial vessels during specific wind conditions. Maintained slip count on the north side and added a 16 feet by 32 feet slip on the south side.
Replaced one larger vessel slip with a smaller one to keep all structures within the 150 feet limit.
Broadway Docks:
Original Plan: 30 transient slips (32 total vessels).
Current Plan: 29 transient slips (31 total vessels).
Changes:
Shortened the loading zone on the east to fit within the 150 feet limits.
Designated one transient slip as a loading zone, with an additional transient slip added at the Depot to compensate.
Reduced the gangway walk width to 8 feet, eliminating the need for an additional variance.
Shifted larger vessel slips west to fit within the 150 feet limit, considering water depth variations.
Rotated the overall dock geometry to increase the opening between the Lake Walk and the docks at its narrowest point.
This comprehensive redesign, marked by strategic adjustments, underscores the City’s commitment to creating a compliant, functional, and aesthetically pleasing dock system. With these approved plans, the Panoway dock project is poised for successful implementation, offering an improved and balanced addition to the city’s waterfront.
City Staff and the Council will also be working with their vendors on ensuring the new docks are installed on Wayzata Bay as quickly as possible in the coming months.
The old docks were removed recently to allow the pilings for the Lakewalk to be installed. The remnants were stored at Wayzata Beach:
Kraus Anderson, the general contractor overseeing the Lakewalk project in Wayzata that is part of Panoway on Wayzata Bay, has unveiled a captivating drone video showcasing the ongoing construction work from a unique vantage point.
In this remarkable visual presentation, the Lakewalk project’s development comes to life through the lens of a cutting-edge drone, providing viewers with an expansive and mesmerizing bird’s-eye view of the construction activities currently underway.
The video offers an unprecedented opportunity to witness the progress of this transformative project, granting a fresh and immersive perspective that highlights the intricacies of the construction process.
Kraus Anderson’s commitment to innovation and transparency is evident in this video, which not only serves as a testament to their dedication but also as an exciting glimpse into the future of construction technology. Stay tuned for more updates on the Lakewalk project as it continues to reshape the landscape of Wayzata.
A second major donor to the Panoway Lakewalk has been identified in recently by Wayzata Conservancy director Peter Hitch: Wayzata resdient Jennifer Zhi-Roth.
Zhi-Roth desired to honor her late husband Gunther Roth through the major gift towards the Lakewalk as recognition of the time they spent living in Wayzata on Ferndale Road and in Harrington House.
Jennifer submitted the following letter commemorating the life of Guether:
Guenther was born and raised in the beautiful State of Bavaria in Germany. He studied classical music since the age of 12; earned his master’s degree in musical conducting; and became a professional musician and conductor.
Guenther immigrated in 1954 to Minnesota, a state he was proud to call home for more than 65 years. He began his career as a musician/conductor; expanded into the world of business and entrepreneurship; and then found further joy and fulfillment as a philanthropist.
He purchased a classic Frank Lloyd Wright-style home on Ferndale Road West in the early 1990s, spending more than two years to restore it. Many in his Wayzata neighborhood considered the result to be one of the most beautiful homes – his for 20 years — in the area.
In more recent years, we wanted both to remain in Wayzata and to find safe and convenient one-floor living. The penthouse in Harrington House provided the perfect answer, overlooking Wayzata Bay and the beautiful lakefront. We quickly fell in love with the home – for its wonderful neighbors and its panoramic view of the City we both loved!
Guenther’s Wayzata neighbors knew well his practice of power walking through the neighborhood seven days a week – sometimes twice a day! – with me at his side. While some did not know our names, they knew us by sight for our everyday ritual on Ferndale Road West and on Lake Street.
Guenther was also well known in the surrounding area as the endearing, gifted, classically trained musician. He entertained the neighbors with the joyful spirit of his piano-playing. At Christmastime, we hosted parties at our home where Guenther played the piano so beautifully that he inspired the neighborhood guests to sing enthusiastically.
Everyone joined in at the top of their voices to sing some 20 Christmas songs. When a piano was not nearby, Guenther turned to another passion – motorcycling!
He especially enjoyed riding his BMW motorcycle. He spent countless hours riding through the Alps when in Europe, and of course back home in Minnesota, he came to know virtually every street and avenue in the Twin Cities metro area.
Guenther quietly created a private charitable foundation focused on serving the needs of single-parent minority families’ children. For many years the foundation has helped fund educational opportunities for these children in the hope of building more productive and fulfilling futures.
Guenther R. Roth’s story is a true American story. He worked hard as a new immigrant to use his intelligence and skill to be the best he could be in all the pursuits to which he devoted himself. He encouraged others to pursue their own dreams too, rallying them to “go for it!”
And when he personally succeeded, his kind and loving nature prompted him to give back to the country that had been so good to him, his wife and his family. I am pleased to help honor my dear, elegant, generous husband with this lasting gift to the The Wayzata Conservancy for the City of Wayzata.
A pile driver and an excavator float on a pair of barges on Wayzata Bay. Photo by Daniel Gustafson.
The City of Wayzata held a “Sand Breaking” event to commerate the beginning of construction of the Lakewalk (Phase 2A) of the Panoway project on July 11th, 2023.
Sandbreaking video: Bob Ambrose, Molly MacDonald, Jeff Parkhill, Johanna Mouton, Jeff Buchanan.Scott Jordan of Civets addresses a crowd gathered to celebrate the beginning of construction the Cakewalk. Submitted photo by Jameson Johnson.City Manager Jeff Dahl speaks at the Sand Breaking. Submitted photo by Jamie Tjornehoj.A sign showing the future Lakewalk that will be built. Submitted photo by Jamie Tjornehoj.
Total support to date this year expected to reach $1,052,500; momentum growing as donors step forward
Wayzata Conservancy Executive Director Peter Hitch announces a 2nd $500,000 is potentially available. City of Wayzata.
A yet to be identified former Wayzata resident who previously lived on Ferndale Road and in Harrington House has pledged to donate $500,000, subject to City approval.
Wayzata Conservancy Executive Director Peter Hitch made the announcement at the June 6th Wayzata City Council meeting.
Mr. Hitch also detailed a number of other pledges in recent weeks and days, and indicated that including the initial Carisch pledge of $500,000 the total for this fundraising year to date is expected to be at $1,052,500.
“I cannot tell you how excited I am to come before you tonight to talk to you about Panoway’s growing popularity.” stated Hitch. “Since your approval of the $500,000 lead gift from the Carisch Family on May 2nd, we have experienced a phenomenal resurgence of support for the Panoway project in it’s entirety. Specifically, and this is entirely new information for most people, over the last three weeks, and of course per our policy, pending [City] approval, we have agreed to an unrestricted pledge of another $500,000, coming from a former Wayzata resident…”
The pledge is expected to be before the City Council sometime in June or July for approval pending the usual process for receiving gifts for Panoway. The process includes attorney reviews, the signing of pledge documents and the like.
Hitch went on to describe a number of other smaller donations including a step down on the Lakewalk, two commitments to fund stone benches, and a donation for an additional Adirondack chair for Panoway Plaza.
City leaders expect additional donations will begin to flow in based upon these lead gifts, and additionally once the as construction of Phase 2A including the Lakewalk begins.
Stay tuned to Wayzata.com, your Panoway news leader.
“The Minneapolis Foundation (the “Foundation”) is pleased to approve a grant of $500,000.00 to The Wayzata Conservancy (the “Conservancy”) to support the Boardwalk section of Wayzata’s Panoway Project. The Boardwalk section, or “lake walk” is the proposed lakeside walkway that will stretch approximately 1,000 lineal feet from the COV RR Crossing to the Wayzata Depot, adjacent to Lake Street in downtown Wayzata. This grant is awarded from the Carisch Family Fund of the Minneapolis Foundation.“
Included in the draft pledge from the Carisch Family is a request to rename the boardwalk to “Lakewalk”; with the specific signage to read:
Enjoy the Lakewalk – The Carisch Family
The proposed donation will be made from the Minneapolis Foundation on behalf of the Carisch Family Fund, to the Wayzata Conservancy in order to help fund construction, operations, maintenance, upkeep, restoration, etc. of the Boardwalk.
Proposed signage included in the Workshop packet.
According to the City Manager’s Memo attached to the letter, “The Conservancy will present a draft proposal and Pledge Agreement for a $500,000 donation to the Conservancy from the Carisch family through the Minneapolis Foundation. It includes a request to name the boardwalk as the “Lakewalk” and include signage as shown in the updated signage standards. After the Council’s preliminary review of the draft proposal and Pledge Agreement, the Conservancy is prepared to present this donation at the next Council meeting on May 2.“
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Organizers hope other large donors may step forward to fund the project as well given the pledge.
A bit about the Carisch Family:
Marquee Place in Wayzata
Business partners Lyle Carisch and Ray Lee built the Wayzata Theater on the 600 block of Lake Street; it operated from 1932 until 1985. The family operated 100’s of theaters across the country, and later expanded into Arby’s franchises across the nation.
The family also owns the 600 block of Lake Street, known as Marqee Place, which houses many of Wayzata‘s favorite businesses and restaurants.
The 600 Block of Lake Street, known as Marquee Place is situated in front of Panoway on Wayzata Bay, and the proposed boardwalk.
Stay tuned to Wayzata.com on this evolving story.
This post was edited to reflect that the letter in the Workshop Packet is a DRAFT, and that both sides are considering the matter.
Phase 2 of the Panoway on Wayzata Bay project located on Lake Minnetonka, which includes the construction of the boardwalk and new docks, will come with a much higher price tag than expected based on the latest estimates.
Panoway Phase II. Image courtesy City of Wayzata.
The cost estimates received in December projected a 37-percent increase in costs due to marketchanges. The new estimate for the boardwalk portion of the project is $9.27 million.
The cost estimate for the new docks experienced an even greater increase, though the scope of that part of the project significantly changed with the decision to remove all of the docks for construction.
The estimate increased 170-percent to about $2.08 million.
The council met on Jan. 10 to approve the construction documents for the boardwalk, docks and Section Foreman House.
Section Foreman House. Image courtesy City of Wayzata.
It voted 4-1 in favor of approving the documents to move the project toward the bidding phase.
Councilor Cathy Iverson voted against approving the documents but clarified on record that she is in support of approving the Section Foreman House documents.
Construction documents are not a final representation of what will be done on the Panoway. Several aspects of construction included alternates for cost saving purposes, such as alternate proposed materials.
For instance, there is an alternate option for the boardwalk railing that could save $230,000 by using galvanized steel rather than stainless steel.
With the construction documents approved, the various aspects of the project will soon go out to bid, starting with a request for proposals for steel and precast material.
This portion will be bid on first to stay ahead of any possible supply chain delays which Scott Jordan, principal of Civitas, said have largely eased.
Construction for the boardwalk and docks are expected to go out for bids in February.
According to the schedule laid out during the council meeting, construction of the boardwalk would begin in early June and be complete by the end of November.
Likewise installation of the docks would take place throughout the summer.
In late August, the Broadway docks would be removed while dock pilings are installed. The docks would then be open for the full 2024 summer season.
In voting against the approval of the documents, Iverson said her reservations stem from not having the funding secured, as well as the overall cost.
“The overall cost of the project is close to $10 million for a boardwalk that is probably less than a half-mile long,” she said. “We have $4 million I know we’re going to secure. I’m comfortable with that. My concern is with the additional funding of another $6 million.”
Iverson noted that several dates on the project’s schedule are fast approaching and she is worried about paying for the funding gaps with a loan paid through tax increment financing.
City Manager Jeff Dahl said though there is always some risk in taking out a loan, it is not a significant risk. He is optimistic that the city will secure more funding from the state.
“Everything is predicated on getting those plans out now,” he said. “This is a great time to solicit bids, get the best price and keep costs down. If it gets delayed, that potentially pushes us out another year.”
I was driving down Lake Street yesterday in downtown Wayzata and saw the Sun break through the clouds right behind the Christmas Tree which is placed on the Panoway Plaza and had to stop and shoot a photograph. Hope you enjoy this one!
Council rejects traditional wood dock design, existing Broadway docks may be replaced in Phase II of Panoway
Much debate has occurred in recent months and years as Wayzata residents mourn the loss of charm in the community in favor of increased development and density.
At a Tuesday Workshop meeting on October 25th, the Wayzata City Council directed City Staff to solicit bids which could potentially replace and expand the existing docks on Wayzata’s lakefront with less traditional steel pilings and floating docks.
Wayzata and Lake Minnetonka have long standing histories and cultures of utilizing wood piling fixed docks. This style of dock is viewed by many as aesthetically pleasing–in other words charming.
For those that don’t know, workshops are viewed by municipalities as ways for a Council to discuss lengthy or controversial topics less formally than a City Council meeting.
Critics of the municipal workshop format argue the public isn’t allowed to comment on workshop topics, no votes are taken even though decisions tend to be made prior to public debate, and the meetings are not broadcast/recorded resulting in less transparency and community oversight than a regular council meeting.
The practical result of the decision is that the Broadway Docks in front of CoV and the Panoway Plaza may not exist in the near future, replaced by more modern docks and a higher number of slips over the winter. A final decision will be made at a Council meeting in the coming months.
Several factors impacted the decision, including limits on the depth of wood pilings, maintenance, cost advantages for steel pilings and ADA compliance. The packet acknowledged that steel is “aesthetically less of a fit in Wayzata.“
Four different dock options were presented at the Council Workshop on Tuesday, October 25th, 2022. Image courtesy City of Wayzata.
The City is also beginning to ramp up for construction of the Boardwalk by soliciting bids, reviewing budgets and the like. The full agenda packet is below.
Stay tuned to Wayzata.com for more information on Phase II of Panoway of Wayzata Bay. What do you think? Email dan@wayzata.com to share your views.
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