Tonight: Open House to Discuss Realizing the Vision for the Wayzata Lakefront

The City of Wayzata has set out to create a community-embraced vision for one of the city’s most important and enduring assets—its relationship to Lake Minnetonka.

After months of gathering input, the first phase in the community planning and engagement process will culminate with an open house and presentation of proposed community values on Jan. 15 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Community Room at Wayzata City Hall.

Launched in September 2012 and led by the city-selected Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation, the 16-month process is broken down into three phases. Input in this first phase was gathered through a variety of activities such as special events, small group sessions, community-led committees, interviews, surveys and online forums. The responses were compiled and used to create a set of value statements that reflect thecommunity’s aspirations for the future of the lakefront.

These values will become the framework to evaluate project ideas and to guide future development. The community is invited to learn about the proposed values and to participate in a dialogue with city council and project committee members during the open house on Jan. 15.

“Identifying shared community values will help ensure we achieve a shared vision for the lakefront,” said Wayzata Mayor Ken Willcox. “We’re excited to come together to celebrate all that makes Wayzata what it is and to create a vision of what it could be.”

The event is an open house format and begins at 4:30 p.m. with exhibits representing each of the community values. A short presentation will take place from 5:30 to 6 p.m. featuring Mayor Willcox, staff representatives from the City of Wayzata and Lakefront Process Managers who will describe the process to date and discuss the second phase.

“The first phase in the process is critical to the initiative’s long-term success,” said Patrick Seeb, executive director of Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation and Lake Effect process manager. “The response from the Wayzata community has been truly remarkable and we look forward to providing plenty of opportunities for community members to remained engaged throughout the duration of the initiative.”

For more information or to RSVP, visit www.wayzatalakeeffect.com<http://www.wayzatalakeeffect.com> or call 651.293.6860.