The architect of Southdale, Victor Gruen, was an ardent advocate of prioritizing pedestrians over cars. So it's ironic that the area around Southdale grew over time into a busy vehicle corridor where walking wasn't always easy.
Edina is trying to fix that. With more housing being built on and around the Southdale property, the city has completed a $4 million project aimed at making France Avenue S. more welcoming to pedestrians. The rebuild includes wider crosswalks; filling in gaps where no sidewalks existed; improved pedestrian crossing controls, and new medians that act as "safety refuges" for pedestrians who can't make it across the wide street during a single light change.
The project, completed in the fall, is already having an impact, said Edina transportation planner Mark Nolan.
"We're hearing from residents in the Cornelia neighborhood who never realized how easy it is to walk to Southdale," Nolan said. "We're hearing from residents that they're able to walk to Southdale for the first time."
Local businesses say they've noticed more pedestrian traffic, even during the winter. Amy Tatarek, operations coordinator of the Kinderberry Child Development Center near W. 70th Street and France, said the improvements have been helpful.
"It seems safer when the children are going on walks," she said.
Managers at One Southdale Place, a 232-unit luxury rental that opened in the fall, is using the area's walkability to entice prospective residents.
"Why not walk everywhere you can?" said Hillary Neary, the development's leasing and marketing manager. "Our residents pretty much walk everywhere. We advertise that we are a pedestrian-friendly site."
