Neighborhood liveability .

FBPW / Save Anwatin Woods is fighting to maintain this valuable land in a natural state. Previously, assorted developers have expressed interest in building in the woods, although all have abandoned the projects as unworkable.

Although the neighborhood may be zoned for cluster housing, placing a solid row of townhomes in the woods (as has been previously proposed) with a long, unbroken basement/garage could seriously compromise homes on Upton, Vincent and Xerxes by blocking the natural flow of groundwater. With this type of development, there would be a long, monolithic structure, along with a huge wall and a row of porches, right up against back yards of Upton residents, exacerbating existing drainage problems. The topography of the Xerxes site is also cause for concern. Sitting directly on the western border of Wirth Park and the Eloise Butler Wildflower Gardens, construction on this land would require extension of Xerxes Avenue, and considerable excavation. The current, very narrow street would have to be widened to accommodate increased residential traffic. Since the easement to the east has already been used, the increased roadway would have to be carved out of the Park. Burrowing into the hill at the end of Xerxes to provide a road into the six lots up there would be very expensive for the City. The Minneapolis Park Board firmly opposes any such excavation and accompanying retaining walls in that area. And, to vacate the street to avoid building the road already platted results in one resident having all the traffic drive past his house 10 feet away. The topography of this land slopes steeply toward the existing pond in the woods, creating the potential for damaging runoff from landscaping and lawns. Any construction on this site would directly affect runoff into this natural area.

In addition to these concerns, Bryn Mawr Elementary and Anwatin Middle School students use the woods year-round as an extended classroom for natural science education. This includes water studies, animal tracking, etc. The school abuts the property, and is a haven for city kids, and an important and valuable part of their education.