Edina, Minn., Sept. 8, 2023 – Walk with the Mayor will be held 9-10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at Braemar Arena, 7501 Ikola Way. Community members are welcome to walk alongside Mayor Jim Hovland and hear about this fall’s referendum on use of the local option sales tax.
In November 2022, Edina voters approved a half-percent local sales tax increase to fund Phase One of a long-term investment plan for Braemar Park and Arena and Fred Richards Park. These improvements, totaling $39.3 million when completed, will provide multiple new amenities and infrastructure updates.
If Phase One was approved, the City also promised to pursue funding for Phase Two – the expansion of Braemar Arena. This past spring, the City received authorization from the State Legislature to allow Edina residents to decide whether to use the same half-percent sales tax to provide $31.7 million to expand Braemar Arena and complete other critical improvements at the facility.
Hovland encourages community members to learn more about the proposed changes. “The City recently updated the dedicated project website EdinaAtPlay.org with new information about our Phase Two project. This is an important community decision and I encourage all Edina residents to learn more about the Phase Two plan and, of course, make sure to have your voice heard and vote on the proposed improvements to Braemar Ice Arena on Nov. 7,” he said.
No prior registration is required to attend the Walk with the Mayor; simply show up at the designated meeting time to walk and talk with Hovland.
For more information or to suggest a location for a future walk, contact the City’s Communications Department at 952-826-0359.