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1. What is Panoway on Wayzata Bay?

Panoway on Wayzata Bay will restore, protect and enhance a treasured asset for our community and broader region: Wayzata’s downtown lakefront. Panoway grew out of the Lake Effect initiative which represented the the first step to gather input and develop a new vision for the Wayzata lakefront. Panoway is the next step in implementing the community’s vision. It conveys an identity for the space and helps describe the benefits and uniqueness of the experience that will be created. This multi-phase initiative addresses critical infrastructure needs on Lake Street and along the Lake Minnetonka shoreline. It will also strengthen the connection between downtown Wayzata and Lake Minnetonka, creating a unique and welcoming experience for residents and visitors.

Phase one of Panoway includes five elements:

• Streetscape and Sidewalk Improvements along Lake Street - A newly reconfigured Lake Street, from Broadway to Ferndale, is improving accessibility and creating a safer environment for pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles and businesses. The project includes:
  • A two-way off-street bike lane on the South side of the street, providing a seamless connection to the Dakota Rail Regional Trail
  • Expanded sidewalks on the north side of the street to enhance shopping and dining experiences
  • Dedicated turn lanes at the intersection of Barry and Lake Street, creating smoother trac flow while preserving on-street parking spaces that supplement free public parking throughout downtown
  • Upgraded railroad crossings at Barry, Broadway, and Ferndale to greatly enhance safety and accessibility to the lake
  • Critical public works upgrades, including water main, storm sewer and water treatment infrastructure improvements
• Broadway Plaza - Serving as the eastern gateway to the newly improved Lake Street, improvements to Broadway Plaza are enhancing safety and enjoyment of the lakeside. Features include:
  • A new, fully-accessible restroom building on the west side of the plaza, including outdoor drinking fountains for public use
  • Strings of tivoli lights creating a softly lit canopy over a collection of terrace tables
  • An improved railroad crossing to safely connect the plaza to the community docks and a future lakeside boardwalk
• The Birch Grove - Just east of Broadway Plaza, the Birch Grove offers a place of quiet reflection, including a 9/11 memorial artifact that pays tribute to Gordy Aamoth, a Wayzata native who was killed in the attack on the World Trade Center.
• Plaza Park - Located on the lakeside across from Wayzata Marquee Place, the Plaza Park offers a variety of gathering spaces under a shade pavilion. Residents can sit around one of two community hearths, relax in adirondack chairs, dine at the picnic tables, and enjoy the scenery of the lake. The plaza is flanked on both sides by large lawns with stone benches and decorative planters.
• Fountain - A new fountain at the intersection of Lake and Walker features jets of water dancing from the ground, providing an opportunity for the young and young at heart to cool off on hot summer days. The fountain is surrounded by a garden rooms where benches originally along the shoreline have been reinstalled.

Future Phases of Panoway will include:

• Boardwalk - A new lakeside boardwalk will stretch approximately 1,500 lineal feet from the Historic Section Foreman House to the Depot. The boardwalk includes two lakeside overlook terraces, creating a beautiful way for the community to connect with the lake.
• Shoreline Restoration - The growth of Wayzata and the popularity of the lakefront has taken a toll over the years, impacting water quality, plant and animal life, and the health and well being of Lake Minnetonka. Shoreline restoration projects will reverse the contamination of Wayzata’s holding ponds by reintroducing native plants, trees and pollinator habitat and by restoring 2,000 lineal feet of lake edge.
• Section Foreman House - Situated just a few yards off the lake, this historic home is one of the last of its kind still standing in Minnesota. Built by the Great Northern Railroad in 1902 as a residence for railroad foremen and their families, this historic home will be restored and repurposed into a new lakefront learning center, providing indoor and outdoor classroom and community space.
• Eco Park - A new park surrounding the Section Foreman house will restore shoreline marsh and improve water quality. The park includes a pier extension of the boardwalk and opportunities to create “Living Eco-Classrooms” along the lakeshore for STEM based learning.
• Depot Park - The expanded and remodeled park surrounding the historic Wayzata Depot will feature a new restroom building and expanded gardens. Visitors will enjoy new lawns, decks, and terraces with seating, picnic tables and a community hearth.
• Community Docks - Two new community docks will allow more residents and visitors to access Wayzata from Lake Minnetonka.

2. When will Phase 1 construction be complete?

Construction of Phase 1 began in the spring of 2020. Construction reached substantial completion on September 11, 2020. Some remaining work includes exterior finishes of the restroom building, the railroad crossings at Barry Avenue and Ferndale Road, and the catenary lighting system at Broadway Avenue. The impact to businesses and residents as crews complete these last items will be minimal and is anticipated to be completed by November 2020. 

Click here to read the Navigate Wayzata construction updates.

3. What is the area encompassed by this project?

This entire initiative will include almost 3,000 linear feet of lakeshore and over 15 acres of park land. It starts at the Depot and extends east to the Section Foreman House.

4. Does this project include the Wayzata Beach?

No. Originally when the project was being developed a design for the beach area was considered, but the City Council decided to just focus on the current project area – from the Depot to the Section Foreman House.

5. How is the project being funded?

It is a partnership between the City of Wayzata and the Wayzata Conservancy. The public dollars from the City and other organizations such as Three Rivers Parks are funding the redesign of Lake Street and the Plaza Park – everything north of the railroad tracks (Phase One). In addition, the City did receive a grant from the state specifically for the upgrade of the railroad crossings – this portion will also be included in Phase One. The Boardwalk, the Eco Park and the Depot Park (everything south of the railroad tracks) will be funded with private dollars raised by the Wayzata Conservancy. It is approximately $5 million dollars of public funding and $10 million dollars of private funding.  

6. Where will the additional docks be that are part of this project?

As a part of this project, the existing “interim docks” will be replaced by permanent wooden docks – approximately in the same location, both at the Depot and the Broadway Railroad Crossings.

7. How will this initiative benefit the environment?

Through this project, the lakeshore will be restored to a more natural state and holding ponds will be created to improve water runoff management. The result will be a direct improvement to the lake water quality and ecology, as well as intentional restoration and preservation of Wayzata’s shoreline.

8. How will the area be maintained and funded after it is built?

The total cost for the project includes maintenance and operation expenses for the first ten years of the project.

9. Who designed the project?

Civitas, an award winning landscape and urban design firm based out of Denver, Colorado is designing all aspects of the project with much input and engagement with the City of Wayzata, community members and stakeholders. The design for this project has already received an award by the American Society of Landscape Architects.