Water Works Site Preparation Begins in Early August

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board anticipates that soon after Friday, August 4, fencing will be installed near the north parking lot adjacent to the Fuji-Ya building to secure that area for exploratory archeological work. The process should be completed during August, and when complete this fencing will be removed. 

 

During archeological activity, some trees need to be removed due to poor health or interference with the buried mill remnants that will be unearthed and protected as part of the future park. Throughout construction on this project, the balance between park development and tree removal will be thoughtfully considered; new plantings will of course be made as phase 1 nears completion.

 

Following the archaeological work, in September, fencing will be re-installed to secure a perimeter around the Fuji-Ya building, and careful deconstruction of the structure will begin. This work is anticipated to continue through February 2018.

 

In November 2017, more significant archaeological excavations are planned in the parking lots just north of the Fuji-Ya building. This work is anticipated to last until mid-December and will continue in the spring of 2018. Excavation in these areas will be permanent and the areas will be fenced and closed until project completion.

 

While this activity is not full-scale construction, some disruption to routine may occur. The sidewalk adjacent to the park along First St. may be closed and there may be intermittent, temporary disruptions to one lane of traffic. 

 

For information about construction activities, residents are encouraged to sign up for project notifications on the Park Board's website, via MinneapolisParks.org/WaterWorks.