City of Hopkins • Comprehensive Plan • Goals of the City

The following statements are the goals of the City of Hopkins that guided the preparation of this update to the Comprehensive Plan. The City will refer to the Comprehensive Plan in establishing spending and action priorities.

Protect the Residential Neighborhoods
Hopkins is primarily a residential community, and its people are its strength. The City has established neighborhoods with well-maintained single and multi-family homes, mature vegetation and decades of personal commitment. The effects of time, physical deterioration, changing tastes, market competition and, not least, the influence of traffic and nearby businesses may erode the quality of these neighborhoods and irrevocably change the nature of the community. The key elements protecting the residential neighborhoods are as follows:
1. In new developments, efforts should be made to preserve as many residential structures as possible.
2. Residential rehabilitation programs to preserve strong, well-maintained neighborhoods and protect investments in property should continue to be offered.
3. The housing maintenance code should continue to be enforced.
This goal is addressed by all Comprehensive Plan elements.
Protect and Enhance Downtown Hopkins
The downtown area is loosely described as the B-2 and B-3 districts on Mainstreet from the block east of Fifth Avenue to Shady Oak Road.
It is rare to discover a distinctive, pedestrian-scale, commercial area set in the heart of a small suburban community, but Hopkins has one. Downtown Hopkins and Mainstreet give the City a strong central focus and sense of place, or identity, that many other communities find very difficult to recreate. Major improvements have been made downtown in recent years through public-private cooperative efforts. The key elements to improve the commercial downtown are as follows:
1. Efforts should be made to retain existing downtown businesses and attract new specialty retail, entertainment and restaurant businesses to Mainstreet.
2. The downtown business climate should be monitored continually.
3. Residents should be encouraged to shop locally and support Hopkins businesses.
4. Efforts should be made to enhance the Mainstreet experience. Design features such as white lights, public art and plantings should be encouraged.
5. Development efforts should continue with an emphasis on the private sector and less public financing involvement.
Both the Comprehensive Plan and Strategic Plan for Economic Development address this goal.
Identify and Assist In the Redevelopment of Blighted or Obsolete Structures
1. Improvement of industrial and commercial businesses should continue to be encouraged to ensure that the limited amount of non-residential land in Hopkins can be used to its full potential.
2. Rehabilitation should be encouraged in multi-family structures built at approximately the same time that lack many amenities found in more recently constructed, multi-family structures.
The Comprehensive Plan and the East End Study address this goal.
Bolster the Image of the Community and Promote Hopkins As a Destination
Hopkins has many assets and unique qualities that set it apart from other communities. These assets include Mainstreet, the regional trail head, the Center for the Arts and small-town convenience. The perception of Hopkins outside of our boundaries varies with many people in the west metro and greater metro areas, who are unaware of our draw.
Businesses, civic groups and residents will benefit from an improved image and exposure. This can be accomplished through implementing the “Think Hopkins” marketing plan.
The Community Image and Land Use Plans address this goal.
Maintain Fiscal Health and An Acceptable Balance Between Service Quality and Property Tax Rates
Residents and business people have traditionally supported this aim. Demonstrating responsibility in fiscal matters, while having obvious local benefits, would also aid the City in its public relations with prospective residents and business owners. The methods to maintain fiscal health and an acceptable balance among City service provided, quality of life and property tax rates are as follows:
1. Pursuit of redevelopment, which adds to the tax base, should be continued.
2. Efforts should be made to continue to foster stability and growth of existing businesses, while encouraging new businesses to locate in Hopkins.
3. Investment in infrastructure should continue.
All plan elements address this goal.
Influence Transportation
Transportation in the 21st century does not include just building and improving roads. The Southwest LRT is becoming more of a reality for Hopkins. The Alternative Analysis has been completed, and the environmental study is underway. The most optimistic date for construction of this line is 2015.
Since the last Comprehensive Plan update, Excelsior Boulevard has been improved with landscaped medians, signage, and lighting. Upkeep of this road is important for the image of Hopkins. The elements to influence transportation are as follows:
1. Efforts among Hopkins, Minnetonka and Hennepin County should continue for the improvement of Shady Oak Road between Excelsior Boulevard and State Highway 7. This road is scheduled for upgrading in 2010.
2. Efforts should be made to improve Blake Road from Excelsior Boulevard to Highway 7. These improvements should include signage, special paving, landscaping, lighting and sidewalks.
3. Efforts should continue to support the Southwest Light Rail Transit (LRT).
4. Three LRT stations are proposed for Hopkins. One at Shady Oak Road, a second at Eighth Avenue along Excelsior Boulevard and a third near Blake Road. Redevelopment around all three stations will occur. The Station Study supports these stations and the redevelopment around the stations.
5. The link between Mainstreet and Excelsior Boulevard along Eighth Avenue from the regional trail (now) and proposed LRT station (future) should be improved.
6. Efforts should be made in cooperation with the County to finish the improvement of Excelsior Boulevard from Blake Road to Meadowbrook Road.
All plan elements address this goal.
Involve and Inform Residents, Employees and Business Owners
1. Communication tools, including the newsletter, City website and e-newsletter should be expanded and improved.
2. All residents and business owners, including those under-represented groups such as renters and new residents, should be encouraged to be engaged.
Protect and Enhance Green Space, Park Environments and Sustainability
1. Our natural environmental assets should be protected.
2. “Green development” should be encouraged.
3. Work should continue on trail connections and updating parks.
4. Developers should be encouraged to incorporate more green space in projects.
5. Additional revenue sources to support this goal should be identified.