Minneapolis has raised its price on a patch of woods used as an informal dog park. The 15-acre parcel lies in Edina and St. Louis Park, but is owned by Minneapolis, which has a water pumping station on the site at 40th Street and France Avenue S.
Minneapolis originally said it would seek at least $1.5 million for the land. In December, Edina and St. Louis Park jointly offered to buy the property for just over $1 million. But last week, Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges and City Council President Barb Johnson told the neighboring cities that the land was worth more than they thought.
A new appraisal found the land worth at least $1.9 million, the two wrote in a letter, but they said Minneapolis "would entertain offers" of $1.6 million to $1.7 million if the buyers signed a covenant agreeing to maintain part of the land as open space.
Edina City Manager Scott Neal said the matter would be discussed at Tuesday's City Council meeting.
JOHN REINAN
