☰
The total amount of the investment plan for Braemar Park and Arena and Fred Richards Park is $71 million, which will be financed over a 19-year period using a half-percent sales tax. Phase One Voters already approved the sales tax in November 2022 to fund $39.3 million in improvements to Braemar Park and Arena and Fred Richards Park.
This November 2023, voters approved using the same sales tax to finance the expansion of Braemar Arena for $31.7 million. The $31.7 million investment to expand Braemar Arena will be funded by the same half-percent sales tax approved by Edina voters in November 2022. The local sales tax rate will not change.
Phase One
Voters already approved the sales tax in November 2022 to fund $39.3 million in improvements to Braemar Park and Arena and Fred Richards Park.
Phase Two
This November, voters will consider whether to use the same sales tax to finance the expansion of Braemar Arena for $31.7 million.
If approved by voters, the $31.7 million investment to expand Braemar Arena would be funded by the same half-percent sales tax approved by Edina voters in November 2022. The local sales tax rate would not change.
The Edina City Council concluded that a half-percent sales tax option was the best choice to finance this investment plan because the cost is spread among residents and nonresidents. After receiving approval from Edina voters in November 2022, the half-percent sales tax went into effect on April 1, 2023.
Collections from the sales tax will be used to make the bond payments for financing the projects over a 19-year period. During that time, consumers will pay an additional 5 cents per $10 taxable purchase in Edina. If the bonds for the projects are paid off before then, the sales tax expires earlier.
According to research by the University of Minnesota, 54 percent of the half-percent sales tax increase will be paid by nonresidents as they visit local businesses. That means nonresidents will contribute approximately $38.34 million toward the cost of the Braemar Park and Arena and Fred Richards Park projects.
The average cost per resident of the sales tax will be about $3.03 per month, or $36.35 per year, according to an analysis by the University of Minnesota.
If the projects were funded through a property tax increase, then the cost burden would fall to Edina residents who own or rent commercial and residential property.
At Fred Richards Park: $17.7 million will be used to provide a wide range of new amenities, such as new trails, eight new pickleball courts, new basketball courts, accessible playground areas, a pavilion and lawn games area, an improved clubhouse with expanded food and beverage options and additional parking and access via West 77th Street. Edina voters approved this investment in November 2022.
At Braemar Park: $8.1 million will be invested for a variety of additions, including a new trail system for walking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing; new pickleball courts and platform tennis courts; upgrades to the baseball complex; a playground; and improved access to Braemar Golf Course, Braemar Arena and Courtney Fields. Edina voters approved this investment in November 2022.
Braemar Arena updates: $13.5 million will address critical infrastructure repairs and upgrades, including the HVAC system, roofing, restrooms, locker rooms and rink cooling systems. Edina voters approved this investment in November 2022.
Braemar Arena expansion: $31.7 million will be used to demolish the South Rink and add two new ice rinks, build an improved drop-off/pick-up area, add parking and expand the lobby. Edina residents approved this investment in November 2023.
Prepared and paid for by the City of Edina
4801 W. 50th Street | Edina, MN 55424