Tag: Panoway

Carisch family considering $500,000 pledge towards Panoway boardwalk

April 14th, 2023

A potential one time gift seeks to help fund boardwalk and could rename the structure to Lakewalk; Council to discuss on April 18th Workshop at 5:50pm

A DRAFT letter from William Sternberg, Director, Business Development & Philanthropic Advisor of the Minneapolis Foundation was published in the April 18th Wayzata City Council Workshop agenda packet, and stated:

“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.
Panoway Phase II construction cost estimates soar 37%

January 18th, 2023

Phase 2 of the Panoway on Wayzata Bay project, 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.”
Wayzata’s Christmas tree

December 9th, 2022
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!
- Caribou Coffee
What style of docks should Wayzata have?

October 31st, 2022

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.

City-Council-Workshop-Agenda-Packet-October-25-2022 Download
Friday evening skies picture

August 19th, 2022

Friday evening skies, downtown Wayzata. Photo Dan Gustafson.

The weather the last couple of days has been difficult to get a handle on. This morning it was sunny and poured rain while I drove east on 394. Friday evening it was a mix of sun and pouring rain as well. I loved the blue color in the clouds over Lake Minnetonka in this shot.
Panoway boardwalk, docks, & Section Foreman design approved

August 17th, 2022

The council approved the design of the Panoway boardwalk, docks and Section Foreman House renovation by a 4-1 vote on Tuesday.

Proposed Wayzata Boardwalk. Image courtesy City of Wayzata.

Phase 2a and 2b of the project will now move for the construction design step in the process. This is where city staff and its consultants will fine tune the details of the project, including a cost estimate, before putting the project out to bid.

Jessica Houlihan, founder of development consulting firm Onyx Strategic Partners, outlined the timeline of what is to come. Her expectation is construction design will be finished to return in front of council by December. Once the designs are approved, the project will go out to bid. After a contractor is chosen, construction could begin as soon as March 2023.

Panoway on Wayzata Bay Phase 2 Schedule, courtesy City of Wayzata.

“We walked all the way through the schedule with one firm and it’s about a six month project,” Houlihan said. “We should be done in the fall.”

Phase 2a, the boardwalk and shoreline, carries a $6.78 million budget while the docks are estimated at $770,000. The budget for the Section Foreman House, Phase 2b, is $1.27 million.

The city has secured $4 million in bond funding for the project. It will draw an estimated $2.62 million from tax increment financing and the remaining portion is slated to come from private or ‘other’ sources. The Wayzata Conservancy has pledged funding for the Section Foreman House, which it is currently fundraising for, as well.

Wayzata Section Foreman House. Image Dan Gustafson.

“What we’ve done is plan for the maintenance and operations for 10 years,” said city manager Jeff Dahl. “The Wayzata Conservancy, to decrease the burden on the city, have agreed to fund maintenance and operations for the remainder of the project so taxpayers of Wayzata won’t be burdened with that.”

According to community development director Emily Goellner, the conservancy has raised about $250,000 for the Section Foreman House and will also pay for construction design plans for that part of the project.

Proposed Section Foreman House. Image courtesy Cushing Terrell.

Councilor Cathy Iverson was the lone council member to vote against approving the design.

“Can we feel confident telling the residents this will not be a tax burden,” Iverson said. “I have a lot of concerns about how it’s going to be paid for.”

Advertisement. Lake Minnetonka Real Estate.

Mayor Johanna Mouton noted a better picture of the costs will not come until after construction design is completed. Councilor Alex Plechash said he also had reservations about the funding, but not enough for him to vote against the design. The mayor and other members of the council said they were comfortable with the funding sources.

“We’ve been steadfast that we would not levy the taxpayers of Wayzata to pay for this,” Mouton said. “We have not done so.”

Baja Haus outdoor patio approved

The council unanimously approved a conditional use permit for a seasonal outdoor patio at Baja Haus, 830 E. Lake Street.

Applicant and co-owner Josh Friedt said his restaurant’s temporary outdoor patio was helpful for his business during the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020-21.

“To me it was a huge success,” Friedt said. “I don’t want to say it saved my business but it was definitely a big help.”

The request was to use four parking spaces outside of the restaurant for a temporary pergola. Inside it would fit eight tables seating four each. The patio would be used from May to October. When not in use, the space would be opened back up for parking.

“The people I spoke to that used the outdoor patio during the pandemic really loved it,” Iverson said. “I only heard positive things from the community.”

Former Wayzata Texaco Site

The council also approved a lot combination, comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning of two parcels at 1022 E. Wayzata Blvd.

These parcels were discussed for development in front of the council in April with the proposal of adding a drive thru coffee business. The property is home to a gas station which is no longer in use. To the south, there is a small residential parcel which is considered difficult to develop because of its size and location.

The rezoning of the property changes the newly combined parcel to a C-3 property for retail use.

The planning commission unanimously recommended approval and the council voted 4-1 in favor.
Panoway Open House and Ice Cream Social Scheduled for July 27

July 24th, 2022
Free Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream from 5-7pm

Wayzata officials and staff will host an open house and ice cream social on the Panoway Plaza in downtown Wayzata on Wednesday, July 27th 2022.

A sign on the Panoway Plaza displays info about the event. Photo Dan Gustafson.

Attendees will be able to “…experience the plaza, engage in fun activities, and enjoy a free ice cream treat, all while learning about what’s next for Panoway.“
- Lake Street East
Lake Street Construction Drone Video 4/18/2020

April 20th, 2020
Here’s a bird’s eye view of Wayzata’s Lake Street on April 18, 2020.

Wayzata.com will track the construction changes along Lake Street throughout 2020.

Lake Street Drone Videos Series:
- April 11, 2020

Historical Perspective During Current Lake Street Construction

April 15th, 2020

Construction along Wayzata’s Lake Street has begun in earnest.

It’s a part of the Panoway Project Phase I.

Lake Street & Barry Avenue, Wayzata

The initial phase includes Lake Street, Lake Street Plaza, and the Dakota Rail Regional Trail.

Courtesy City of Wayzata

Lake Street is changing as it has through the decades.

Imagine Wayzata 100 years ago and you’re strolling down the street and come to the intersection of Lake Street and Barry Avenue. What would you observe?

Lake Street, Wayzata | Courtesy Wayzata Historical Society

You may hear a train coming in from the west to pick up passengers with destinations to the east like St. Paul, Chicago and points beyond. You may hear one of those Model T cars rolling down the street with its unique engine rattle and telltale “ah-ooh-gah” horn sound.

Men would have been dressed in wool sweater vests or tweed suits complete with a derby, bowler or homburg hat. Women would have been clad in elegant dresses and hats – some clad in coveralls, blouses and skirt suits a product of entering the workforce while the men fought the war in Europe.

Much has changed through the years at the corner of Lake and Barry – particularly the businesses that occupied that part of Wayzata.

According to the Wayzata Historical Society records, the Wayzata State Bank opened for business in 1909 on the northeast corner of Lake and Barry. It was the first financial institution on Lake Minnetonka that focused exclusively on banking.

The bank continued operation in this structure until 1950 when operations were moved slightly to the east, but still on Lake Street.

Next to the original bank location stood a building built in 1910 by Harry Pettit. It housed the Pettit & Kysor grocery store. Wayzata residents could purchase food from that building until 1974, under its more recent name Waytonka Market. The store prided itself on home deliveries and was famous for its bakery goods and homemade ice cream.

Next door, Rettinger Motor Company opened for business on Lake Street in the early 1920s. The business sold Model Ts in the early days. Unfortunately, in December of 1949, a fire destroyed the building. According to local newspaper accounts, damage was estimated up to $75,000 – around $750,000 in today’s dollars.

In 1927, Dr. Carl J. Martinson opened his business on Lake Street just west of Barry Avenue. Martinson converted the old Manning Drug Store into his medical offices. Martinson and Edward E. Mitchell of Mound founded the Minnetonka Hospital in 1928. The Martinson name continues to be a big part of Wayzata today – his grandson, Dr. Bruce Martinson operates a dental clinic in town.

On the northwest corner of Lake and Barry stood Wayzata Pharmacy, a.k.a. “The Old Drug”. It was run by Bob and Ruth Connelly. It later became Ted’s Drug and most recently carried the name of Candlelight Floral – a business that has served Wayzata since the late 1960s. The florist business no longer operates out of the building on Lake and Barry – it has moved making room for another condominium development.

These are just a few of the businesses that occupied this part of Wayzata through the years. Next time you find yourself at the corner of Lake and Barry, imagine what life was like some decades ago – there are a few reminders still standing to fuel your imagination. Can you hear the “ah-ooh-gah” horn sound of one of those old Model Ts?

Lake Street Construction Drone Video 4/11/2020

April 11th, 2020

Here’s a bird’s eye view of Wayzata’s Lake Street on April 11, 2020.

Wayzata.com will track the construction changes along Lake Street throughout 2020.