Excelsior news and updates

Not only have we lost our village identity, we lost our city hall. Slight hope for change, yet the status quo continues...

There is no stretch of the imagination when examining what is happening in Excelsior to the trends in the rest of the world.

To whatever what camp you're in, Excelsior's current government policies will continue.

Reduce spending, more effective communication and ordinance changes toward viable affordable housing.  

An example of building and policy overreach is presented.

To reset an Excelsior for the greater good.

If any of the 4 proposals are approved as currently presented, Excelsior as we know our town will be lost forever.

The words and terms we use are vitally important toward the identity of Excelsior.

Tearing down the perfectly sound Concession Stand indicates the direction of remaking Excelsior.  

Do we really need and should we really afford a new concession stand?  Renovate rather than rebuild is the prudent decision.

The city is  considering the destruction of  the gazebo at the corner of Water and Oak Street.  The Excelsior Men's Garden Club is proposing otherwise.

Through our HPC's work, the Minnehaha and downtown Historic Business District is now recognized by the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office.  The application now goes through the National Register of Historic Places.

Lake Minnetonka  provides us the gift for a unique quality of life.  And then, as if to remind us of its power, our lake sometimes takes life away. A sad and sobering accident:  A drowning fatality on our shores.

The nonprofit is part of the solution toward making available music services for all.

The Residential Review Process has yet to  limit house structures in mass and scale.  

The nature of managing the detail and big picture issues of a small town community.

Connection propels our Excelsior economy.

Store recognition series continues to honor our Excelsior businesses.

A candid look at Excelsior's commercial and residential building patterns.

Monday, May 3, 2021, 5:30pm, a meeting between City Council and the Planning Commission will occur via a Zoom transmission.  The major discussion point will be tightening up the RRP to coordinate understanding of what is expected from the new ordinance and to ensure greater consistency in following the building guidelines.  

Three more Excelsior downtown businesses are recognized.

Excelsior building decisions in terms of culture, objective building equations and moral implications.

An attempt at splicing the conclusion of our conversation with Mr. Brattland....

Trade school importance making a societal resurgence.  Personal shopping bags allowed at Kowalski's.

Three businesses recognized in historic downtown Excelsior.

House construction discussion and ramification about Excelsior's growing number of larger structures in the past 20 years.

Steve Finch Day., April 8, 2021...Official city recognition of and honoring Steve's 25 years of service to Excelsior.  Ice cream social invite today.

The Cinema Dock Theatre is an essential Excelsior institution.  The Dock Cinema Group is devoted to the preservation of the building and maintaining the function as a movie theatre. Since the 1940s, the theatre in part defines who we are as a community.   

Courage from a downtown business is illustrated during our pandemic year.  Revenue streams from additional parking fees remain controversial. One solution to increase income would be getting our Excelsior Bay moorings at capacity.   

Landscape and economic preservation are highlighted through events involving Maynard's and Red Bench Bakery.  

Taking note of Excelsior's resilience despite our Pandemic year.

Creating sufficient time to discuss building patterns that reflect conservation and stewardship.  

Infrastructure improvements beginning this spring.

Decision making on house structures and a delightful variance tribute.

Building decisions and behaviors affect all of us.  

House Structures, Lake and Businesses are slowly reopening...

Summaries  from the results of local government meetings at least once per week.