BURNSVILLE, MINNESOTA

'Burnsville' is a suburb 15 miles (25 km) south of downtown Minneapolis in the U.S. state of Minnesota in Dakota County. The city lies just south of the Minnesota River. Commonly referred to as ''South of the River'', Burnsville and nearby suburbs comprise the southern portion of Minneapolis-St. Paul, the sixteenth largest metropolitan area in the United States. The U.S. Census Bureau recorded the population of the city of Burnsville at 60,220 people in 2000. The Metropolitan Council estimate for 2006 was 61,048.¹
Rich in water and parkland, the city has nine lakes, over fifty ponds, the Minnesota riverfront, as well as a section of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, section of Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve, and about twenty developed parks. Originally an Irish farming community, Burnsville was the tenth largest city in Minnesota by the 2000 Census and one of the largest suburbs in the metro area with a regional mall, Burnsville Center. The city is a leader in new urbanism by redeveloping a new downtown area called Heart of the City, envisioning new entertainment and cultural arts opportunities and serving as the hub for the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, providing southern regional bus service to five other suburbs. While the population is diversifying, the majority remain mostly families, white, and middle-class.
The name ''Burnsville'' is attributed to an early settler and land owner, William Byrne, who's name was sometimes recorded as Burns and later never corrected.^[2] Amongst metro area residents, Burnsville is referred to as "South of the River" apart from "the Cities" of Minneapolis-St. Paul.^[3] Many local organizations take on this nickname.

Contents

History

Geography

Demographics

Economy

Heart of the City project

Arts and culture

Annual cultural events

Sports

Park and recreation

Government

Education

Media

Infrastructure

Transportation

Utilities

Healthcare

Notable natives and residents

Other topics

Amenities

References

External links

History

Dakota from the Mdewakanton tribe were the earliest residents who came by river access for fish, water fowl, game animals, and many lakes. Chief Black Dog sometime around 1750 moved a band from the ancestral Mille Lacs Lake area to establish a village at the isthmus between Black Dog Lake (from which is named after him) and the Minnesota River, the present site of the Black Dog Power Plant.^[4] The permanent camp were reported by early settlers as containing over 250 Dakota. At the south end of Burnsville, Crystal Lake, then called "Minne Elk" (possibly "Minne Hokuwa" ''Fish Lake'') was utilized for abundant fish, leisure and burial. It was also a gathering spot where Dakota watched deer drink at the lake from the top of Buck Hill, in which was named by early settlers who witnessed this activity. Three large Indian burial mounds throughout Burnsville were discovered after European settlement.^[5][6]
When the Dakota nation ceded land in 1851 and relocated to reservations, the first European settlers were mostly Irish and farmers by trade. One of these was William Byrne who immigrated in 1840 from County Kilkenny, Ireland to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. In 1855, he settled at the present day junction of County Road 34 and Judicial Road near the Scott County line, just southeast of old downtown Savage, and is two miles west of I-35W. He subsequently donated land there for a church, school, and a cemetery as well as serving Town Chairman. In 1858, the Dakota County Board authorized Byrnsville Township on the north by the Minnesota River, east by Eagan and Lebanon, south by Lakeville, and west by Scott County. From records known, at the establishment of the village, it was immediately named in honor of William Byrne. The Town Clerk had recorded variations of his name and by the mid-20th century incorporation, the Burnsville spelling prevailed. The school district was organized during this time as well. The Irish and Scottish settlers of this time left their names on many area roads and parks and their religion in Presbyterian, Protestant, and Catholic churches.^[7]
In the 19th century, Burnsville was considered a long distance from downtown Minneapolis. Rail access finally came in 1864 and like many other outer ring suburbs of the era, Burnsville soon became a resort town for those in the city, building cottages along Crystal Lake as well as Orchard Lake and Marion Lake in nearby Lakeville. For the area, the Bloomington Ferry previously was the most direct means of crossing the Minnesota River to exchange commerce and visit relatives. In 1889 the Bloomington Ferry Bridge was built but was still in the far northwest quadrant of the village and heavily used. By 1920 the Lyndale Avenue Drawbridge opened next to Black Dog Lake, extending Minneapolis' first north south highway to the rural communities of southern Minnesota. Later the bridge, upgraded several times, would be replaced by the I-35W Minnesota River bridge. In 1950, just before the World War II postwar housing boom, Burnsville was still a quiet township with a population of 583 people. School was taught in a one-room schoolhouse containing eight grades.
^[8]
After the arrival of Interstate 35W in 1960, the next two decades saw the largest boom in population when post-war pressures forced the community to develop at rapid pace. Byrnesville Township village officially incorporated in 1964 after defeating an annexation attempt by the city of Bloomington. While mass housing development was unavoidable, a former mayor, Connie Morrison said city managers had foresight in producing the many shopping nodes in walking distance of most homes. The city became a regional pull when Burnsville Center opened in 1977 and produced the heavily traveled retail strip on County Road 42. The next decades leading to the 21st century dealt with managing Burnsville's increasing population and growth which led to providing alternative transportation options, diverse housing and ultimately the Heart of the City project. The city approached build-out in the late 1990s and changed focus from new development to redevelopment and rehabilitation of existing structures.^[9]
Descendants of the Byrne family still remain in the metro area and greater Minnesota with the original spelling in their surname. A relative interviewed by the Burnsville Heritage Committee, considered returning and petitioning to correct the spelling but most of the family had moved away for several decades.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 69.3 km² (26.7 mi²). 64.4 km² (24.9 mi²) of it is land and 4.8 km² (1.9 mi²) of it (6.96%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000 (US census for 2000), there were 60,220 people, 23,687 households, and 15,633 families residing in the city. The population density was 935.1/km² (2,421.0/mi²). There were 24,261 housing units at an average density of 376.6/km² (975.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.54% White, 4.07% African American, 0.46% Native American, 4.08% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.42% from other races, and 2.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.86% of the population.
There were 23,687 households out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 34.0% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 97.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $57,965, and the median income for a family was $67,979. Males had a median income of $45,312 versus $31,848 for females. The per capita income for the city was $27,093. About 3.7% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Burnsville's biggest employer is its own school district, ISD 191, followed by Fairview Ridges Hospital, Goodrich Sensor Systems, Northern Hydraulics Inc, Pepsi-Cola Bottling, Yellow Freight System Inc, CUB Foods, Frontier Communications, Genz-Ryan, Asset Marketing Services Inc. and the City of Burnsville. Manfucaturing is the second largest industry.
Most of the employers are in the industrial areas in the southwest and the north where small corporate headquarters in services and manufacturing are next to modern warehouses. Service firms such as internet utilities, news, and real estate are mostly located throughout the north along Highway 13. Almost every brand of car dealership can be found along I-35W on the north and south ends of the city.
Major retail shopping is located along County Road 42 and Highway 13 in the west and east of the city with local shopping nodes positioned throughout. The largest strip, County Road 42, is lined with suburban strip malls, restaurants, goods and grocery stores. Burnsville Center as the anchor of the strip is a 1,275,703 square foot regional mall.

Heart of the City project

Burnsville leads the Twin Cities region in smart growth policies. Smart growth defies traditional suburban sprawl bedroom communities and instead moves towards defining community identity with sustainable design. Burnsville's Heart of the City project goals include creating an attractive, vibrant, pedestrian friendly neighborhood setting with economically viable local businesses. The redevelopment encompasses 54 acres (219,000 m²) centrally located in Burnsville, a few miles from the Minnesota River. This has already replaced traditional suburban elements such as former gas stations and drive-through services with four-story mixed-use condominium buildings reminiscent of Minneapolis neighborhoods and recalling Main Street architecture. Centerpiece to the project is Nicollet Commons Park located on Nicollet Avenue which has drawn thousands of residents to enjoy the first phases of the project already completed. A lifestyle center, the next generation shopping mall, will be added nearby mixing car focused access with pedestrian up-to-sidewalk stores.

Arts and culture

Lake Alimagnet Center for the Arts is the major art institution for the public. There are no museums.
Burnsville is a regional leader in youth and teen activities. THE GARAGE Youth Center located near City Hall is a non-profit music club which has attracted music acts as far as Japan to play and is ingrained as a place in the Minneapolis Music Scene.
The city also has a fully staffed Recreation department providing year round programs and activities for all ages.

Annual cultural events

The Burnsville Fire Muster is the annual event every August-September.

Sports

The Burnsville Athletic Club is an all-volunteer youth sports league. It has an annual participation of nearly 1,300 players annually in the baseball leagues for grades K-12, and 80-90 boys basketball teams in grades 3-12, its two "in-house" sports (sports in which the teams play only other teams within the Burnsville Athletic Club). There are also "traveling" teams for boys' and girls' basketball and girls' fast pitch softball, which play against similar teams from around the state at a higher competitive level.
Adult sports are provided through recreational organizations and minor league groups.

Park and recreation

The city contains 1800 acres of parkland spread throughout 79 parks and is managed by the Burnsville Parks Department which follows a Parks & Trails Master Plan. Only a third is developed and for recreation with the remainder preserved as natural habitat. Burnsville north border with the Minnesota River is within the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
The Burnsville Skate Park is a free facility during summer hours. The Burnsville Ice Center has two large professional ice rinks.

Government

Burnsville operates as a Statutory Plan B city under the Minnesota Legislature. Government consists of an elected City Council of one mayor and four council members. All council members are appointed at large as Burnsville has no wards. Administrative duties of the city are in charge of the City Manager. The City prepares annual budgets and is required to submit a Comprehensive Plan detailing infrastructure and development progress to the Metropolitan Council.
The state Senator is John P. Doll (DFL) District 40, a residential tile and stone contractor, focusing on health care, children's issues, education, environment, renewable energy, and transportation.
The state House Representative is Will Morgan (DFL) 40A, a chemistry teacher at Burnsville High School, focusing on government finance reform and education. His authored bills include infrastructure improvements and education system reform.
Burnsville is located in Minnesota's 2nd congressional district, represented by John Kline, a Republican, who is strong on National Defense and conservative on a variety of social issues, scoring 2.8% progressive on a range of issues^[10] and 88% conservative based on 2006 House votes.^[11]

Education

Burnsville Independent School District 191, which includes Burnsville as well as parts of neighboring cities Savage and Eagan, currently has:

'One 10-12 high school'

★ Burnsville High School
'Three 7-9 junior highs'

★ Eagle Ridge Junior High (located in Savage)

★ John Metcalf Junior High School

★ Nicollet Junior High
'Ten K-6 elementary schools'

★ Harriet Bishop (located in Savage) ★ Edward D. Neill ★ Gideon Pond ★ Hidden Valley (located in Savage) ★ Marion W. Savage (located in Savage)

★ Rahn ★ Sioux Trail ★ Sky Oaks ★ Vista View ★ William Byrne

About 20% of Burnsville residents attend Independent School District 196 schools; they include: Apple Valley High School, and Valley Jr. High School, in Apple Valley; and Echo Park Elementary School in Burnsville.
About 10% of Burnsville residents attend Independent School District 194 schools; they include: Lakeville North High School, Kenwood Trail Middle School, and Orchard Lake Elementary all of which are in Lakeville.

Media

Burnsville receives the same television, news, and cable stations as most metro area cities. Burnsville/Eagan Community Television provides public access programs and information. The Burnsville Sun Current and Thisweek Newspapers supply local news andt he Star Tribune recently created a South section dedicated to South of the River news.

Infrastructure

Burnsville is a fully-developed suburban bedroom community. Large pockets of ramblers and split-level houses were due to Interstate 35W's completion in the 1960s which came earlier than most of the metro highways. Burnsville through the 1990s filled in the last of its available land with upscale housing stock and apartment complexes. In the 2000s Burnsville went under redevelopment activity, producing many four-story residential buildings. The Heart of the City, a new downtown area, contains mixed-use residential and retail buildings. This has produced a diverse range of housing types from single-family homes to high-density condominiums. Since the city was developed in a sprawl fashion, new buildings
The original industrial area along the Minnesota River is mostly abandoned, and also contains a sealed land-fill site. The new industrial area in the west side of the city contains many manufacturing and corporate headquarters as well as large modern warehouses. West of the new downtown area are new office buildings, where one tower reaches above ten stories.

Transportation

Minnesota Valley Transit Authority provides regional bus service between many transit hubs within the city, south of the river, and to destinations such as the Mall of America, downtown Minneapolis, and Southdale Mall.^[12]
Most residents commute and move around by car. Burnsville contains the Interstate 35 split with Interstate 35W leading to downtown Minneapolis and Interstate 35E to St. Paul. The major on and off-ramps for I-35W are located at Burnsville Parkway, County Road 42, and Highway 13. 42 and 13 both provide east-west access to the western suburb of Savage and the eastern suburb of Apple Valley. Major interior arteries include Nicollet Avenue, McAndrews Road (East 138th Street), County Road 5 (Kenwood Trail), County Road 11, Portland Avenue, Southcross Drive, and Lac Lavon Drive.

Utilities

Burnsville Public Works draws water from wells and not the Minnesota River, supplying all homes and businesses. Electricity is provided by Dakota Electric Association, Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative and Xcel Energy. Natural gas is provided by Centerpoint Minnegasco. Telephone and internet services are provided by Frontier Communications and Qwest.^[13]

Healthcare

Fairview Ridges Hospital located south of City Hall along Nicollet Avenue is a 24-hour facility, touting the most advanced emergency, surgery, orthopedic and children's care south of the river. The hospital is within The Ridges campus which includes various medical clinics, services, centers and institutes.^[14] Nearby is a Park Nicollet Medical Center.

Notable natives and residents

★ Cedric Yarbrough, actor

★ Dropping Daylight, music band

★ Gao Hong, Chinese pipa player

★ Kirsten Olson, ice skater & actress

★ Sara Groves, contemporary Christian music artist

Other topics

Amenities

Some residents value Burnsville's 15-30 minute vicinity to nearly all metro attractions and services such as the Mall of America, Valleyfair Amusement Park, Buck Hill Ski Area, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, downtown Saint Paul and downtown Minneapolis. Adjacent cities of Apple Valley, Lakeville, and Savage provide their own nearby shopping hubs and parks. Quality of life is enhanced by large and well-maintained parks and beaches. Crystal Lake is a prominent focus of the city that allows boating, fishing, jet-skiing, and swimming.

References

1. Twin Cities Region Population and Household Estimates, 2006
2. BURNSVILLE 76; A COMMUNITY HISTORY
3. South of the River Blog Dennis Buster
4. Historic Sites: Burnsville Dakota County Historical Society
5. Burnsville looks back at a rich history John Gessner
6. Recorded Plats and Surveys
FIRST ADDITION TO MINNE ELK PARK
7. History of Dakota County, 1881 E. D. Neill
8. Bloomington Briefing
9. WORKSESSION MINUTES City Council
10. ProgressivePunch Leading with the Left
11. ACU Ratings of Congress, 2006
12. Minnesota Valley Transit Authority
13. MNPro
14. Fairview Ridges Hospital

External links

★ City of Burnsville

★ Heart of the City Project

★ Burnsville Athletic Club