Shakopee’s $18.16 Million Riverfront Project Takes a Big Step

TLDR

• The council approved authority for a $14.675 million construction award, subject to final agency approvals.
• The full $18.16 million estimate assumes a planned $1.59 million reduction to that construction contract.
• About 72% of the total is covered by outside funding.
• Work is expected from November 2026 through fall 2027, with trail closures and parking limits.

Shakopee’s riverfront is getting closer to a major rebuild. At its October 6, 2026, meeting, the City Council moved ahead with work to protect the bank and improve river access.

If you walk, bike, fish or take the kids to Huber Park, you’ll want to watch this one. The work brings new ways to reach the water, but also months of disruption.

What the council approved

Councilor Jim DuLaney moved to approve Resolution R2026-134, and Councilor Jesse Lara seconded it. The voice vote passed with no opposition heard in the supplied transcript.

The action lets the city administrator award a $14.675 million contract to S.M. Hentges & Sons. Agencies involved in the project must first give their final approvals. The council also accepted Bolton & Menk’s construction-services proposal, capped at $1,101,273. Those details appear in the contract memo and resolution.

Four companies bid on construction. Hentges was the low bidder; the high bid was about $18.05 million.

There’s a wrinkle in the price. Staff said every bidder had read a design detail for fishing structures incorrectly. The city expects a change after the award to cut the contract by $1.59 million, to $13.085 million.

That reduction is planned, not confirmed as completed by this meeting. The full project estimate already assumes it happens.

What you’ll see along the river

The project includes about 4,000 feet of riverbank work. Crews will make steep banks less steep, place large rocks and add native plants. The goal is to slow erosion and protect sewer lines and park space.

The Minnesota Valley State Trail will shift and rise in places to better handle flooding. New paths, overlooks and fishing spots will bring people closer to the river. The city’s riverbank project guide explains the larger effort.

At Levee Drive, the existing parking area will become an art plaza. Staff said street parking will remain. The plaza plan includes places to sit and views over the river.

At historic Sweeney’s Marina, the plan calls for a canoe and kayak dock with an accessible launch. Staff described a dock designed to rise with the water and be moved out of use during unsafe conditions.

A Bluff Avenue connection would also give park traffic another way out. Drivers could reach the Marshall Road signal to make a protected left turn onto Highway 101.

One thing parents may be wondering: the existing Huber Park playground isn’t being rebuilt in this project. Staff also said a future veterans memorial has reserved space but isn’t part of this phase. The city’s Huber Park page covers the park’s current features.

Where the money comes from

The written budget puts the full estimated cost at $18,162,253.90. That includes construction, earlier contracts, money for unexpected work, and engineering, legal and city oversight costs.

Local funding totals $5,058,700. The rest comes from state, federal and other partners, or about 72% overall.

There’s an easy number to misread: the marina funding line includes $850,000 in city park funds. It isn’t all a state grant. The memo breaks out the state share as $319,877.40.

One outside source is a $1.4 million grant for shoreline work and habitat, described on Minnesota’s project funding page. Finance staff said they didn’t expect to issue city debt for this project. That doesn’t make the work free; local park and utility funds still pay a share.

When construction will affect your visit

Staff expect final agreements in October, a late-October groundbreaking and construction in early November. The schedule aims for completion in fall 2027.

Early work includes removals, retaining walls and bank grading. Winter work will focus on the banks. Parking areas, trails, lighting and other park work would follow in 2027.

Expect temporary parking limits and periods when the state trail is closed. The meeting didn’t set exact closure dates, so check city updates before heading out.

The schedule can shift. Staff said river levels, soil conditions or finds during digging could change the work. A cultural-resources monitor will watch excavation because the site holds important history.

For other ways to get outside during construction, browse our Shakopee recreation listings. This project will take time, but it’s aimed at keeping both the park and nearby sewer system in place for years to come.