Maple Grove Mayor Talks Major Road Improvements, Community Center Upgrades, Assessment Changes
Maple Grove Mayor Mark Steffenson talked with CCX Media’s Dave Kiser about changes for major roads and intersections in the city, an update on the improvements to the community center, and a change to how the city does annual property value assessments.
Highway 610
There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony for the last segment of Minnesota Highway 610 at some point in October or November, Steffenson said. The highway connects Blaine and Maple Grove and crosses the Mississippi River between Coon Rapids and Brooklyn Park. It will originate on the western end at County Highway 30, just west of Interstate 94.
“It’s very exciting that, at last, 610 will be open, it will be complete. Everything will be done,” said Steffenson. “After 40-50 years, we’re excited for it to be done all the way through Maple Grove.”
Brooklyn Boulevard/Elm Creek Parkway and Highway 169
Steffenson also indicated that work could begin soon to update the aging interchange at U.S. Highway 169 and Elm Creek Parkway/Brooklyn Boulevard near the Maple Grove-Brooklyn Park line.
“I think we’re almost to the finish line on the funding for that.What that means is we’re actually going to get that done and completed and make sure it works for everyone that has to get in and out of that area,” he said.
Budget Process
Steffenson said the city council passed a preliminary 2026 budget in September, with an across the board levy increase of six percent. He said the city tries to avoid an increase whenever it can.
“This one was more difficult, because, historically, we’ve been able to keep our budget increases lower, but this year, because of the combination of the influx of additional inflation pressures that have happened over the past few years, we just couldn’t keep the budget lower,” he said.
City council will take up final approval of the budget in December.
Community Center
The third sheet of ice, part of phase one of the Maple Grove Community Center expansion, should be open in November, said Steffenson.
We’re going to be working on that project over the next couple of years to redo that.
“Lifetime is going to be building their new facility up by the hospital. They’ve already gotten approval, and they’re ready to go forward in the spring,” said Steffenson. “Then Lifetime will move out of the rest of the community center, and we’ll get that done as well in about two or three years.”
