State Rep. Jerry Hertaus, R-Greenfield, visits the area of the proposed Lake Effect Project in Wayzata during a House Capitol Investment Division tour of the property Thursday.
WAYZATA – The Minnesota House Capital Investment Division visited Wayzata Thursday to tour the site of a proposed project to transform public shoreline on the north end of Wayzata Bay.
The Lake Effect Project would provide new direct and public access to Lake Minnetonka, while also providing safety and ADE enhancements related to railroad crossing safety.
“The site that is being looked at is the largest undeveloped piece of real estate on Lake Minnetonka’s shoreline, which creates a great opportunity to emphasize the regional nature of this project and access to the lake itself,” said Rep. Jerry Hertaus, R-Greenfield. “Only about 2 percent of the 120 miles of shoreline that exists on this lake is public land. There’s an effort here to make the lake more accessible to more people and this project would help in that regard.”
The project is estimated to cost $20 million. Local sources – including the City of Wayzata and Three Rivers Park District – have allocated $10 million, half of the projected cost.
Other project components include a grade separated extension of the Dakota Regional Trail, conversion of a parking lot into a plaza park, improving the streetscape and utilities, restoring 3,000 feet of shoreline and constructing year-round public restrooms. A historical restoration of Section Foreman’s House as a programmable public space and construction of a 1,250-foot boardwalk along Lake Minnetonka also is included.
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