PLANS FOR NEW BDE MAKA SKA PAVILION APPROVED

Plans to replace a park pavilion at Bde Maka Ska that was damaged by a fire in 2019 have been approved.

Located at the northeast corner of W Lake Street and E Bde Maka Ska Parkway, the site was previously home to a pavilion that was constructed in 1930. Unfortunately, that pavilion burned down in 2019 when discarded hookah embers started a fire. Since then, efforts by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board have been underway to determine what the future will look for the site and recently those future plans were made public.

NEW PAVILION PLANS

Plans for the project include two new pavilion buildings that will have space for a seasonal food service vendor along with a year-round secondary food service vender with indoor dining space. The buildings will also be home to ADA-accessible, all-gender restrooms, and storage/waste space.

Outside of the buildings there will be plenty of seating, a performance space along the lakefront, community tables, shade structures and steps that lead to the water. The project will also include an area for a relocated boat launch and future space for the Minneapolis Sailing Center.

Seating within the project will rise from the original 196 to 307 seats. 36 of those seats will be indoors, 156 will be covered outdoors and 115 will be uncovered outdoors.

Cuningham Group is responsible for the design of the new project which will also feature improved accessibility and circulation throughout the site. Additional improvements will include a new drop-off, loading and ADA parking area, bicycle parking, improved waterfront access for pedestrians, additional green space, and the removal of invasive plant species.

Work is currently underway on finalizing the schematic design plans for the new Bde Maka Ska Pavilion. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2022 with the new pavilion opening in mid-2023.