The URL can be used to link to this page

03-17-97 AgendaCITY OF RICHFIELD MONDAY, MARCH 17, 1997 • RICHFLELD CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS SPECIAL JOINT HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY/ CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION/ COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING 7:00 P.M. AGENDA CALL TO ORDER I. DISCUSSION OF STATUS OF RICHFIELD LAKE AREA HRA LETTER NO. 13 ADJOURNMENT REGULAR HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING FOLLOWS SPECIAL JOINT MEETING AGENDA • CALL TO ORDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF REGULAR HRA MEETING OF FEBRUARY 18, 1997 OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE HRA ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA 2. PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF SALE OF 817 EAST 66TH STREET (FORMER FINA GAS STATION SITE) HRA LETTER NO. 14 3. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION APPROVING REQUEST BY CSM CORPORATION TO REDUCE AMOUNT OF LETTER OF CREDIT FOR SHOPS AT LYNDALE, PHASE II HRA LETTER NO. 15 4. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT 5. CLAIMS AND PAYROLL • ADJOURNMENT Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. Requests must be made at least 96 hours in advance to the Administrative Services Director at 861-9702. HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HRA Letter No. 15 Agenda March 17, 1997 Issue Statement: Consideration of a resolution approving a request by CSM Corporation to reduce the amount of the Letter of Credit for Shops at Lyndale, Phase II. Background: On December 16, 1996, the HRA approved the issuance of the Certificate of Completion for the construction of minimum improvements for Shops at Lyndale, Phase II. At that time and in connection with the Certificate of Completion, CSM Corporation provided the HRA with a Letter of Credit in the amount of $2.0 million as performance security for site assembly cost payments and additional site work to be completed by July 4, 1997 as enumerated in a Letter of Undertaking, also dated December 16, 1996. Currently, CSM Corporation is requesting that the Letter of Credit be reduced by $450,00 due to certain payments made for site assembly since December 16, -1996. Pending approval, a new Letter of Credit in the amount of $1,550,000 would be issued to replace the existing Letter of Credit. A representative of CSM will be in attendance at the HRA meeting. Recommended Motion: It is recommended that the HRA adopt a motion which approves the attached resolution authorizing a reduction in the Letter of Credit for Shops at Lyndale, Phase II. Basis of Recommendation: 1. _CSM has requested a reduction in the amount of the Letter of Credit based on certain performance payments made for site assembly costs. 2. Legal counsel has reviewed the request and is of the opinion that CSM's request to reduce the Letter of Credit is reasonable and that the new Letter of Credit will adequately protect the interests of the HRA to assure completion of items remaining outstanding to date. Alternative Recommendation: 1. Delay.the request for reducing the Letter of Credit by $450,000. 2. Reject the request for reducing the Letter of Credit by $450,000. 3. Propose an alternative amount for reducing the Letter of Credit. Discussion/Decision Mode: CSM Corporation is seeking a timely response to this request. Respectful) submitted, Jame Prosser Exec ` ° Director JDP:cak HRA RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A $450,000 REDUCTION IN IRREVOCABLE STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT DATED NOVEMBER 15, 1996 FOR THE ACCOUNT OF CSM INVESTORS, INC. SHOPS AT LYNDALE, PHASE II WHEREAS, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority entered into an Agreement with CSM Corporation (Developer), a Minnesota business corporation, dated April 11, 1994, pursuant to and in furtherance of the ILN Redevelopment Project heretofore adopted by the City and the Richfield Housing and Redevelopment Authority; and WHEREAS, the Agreement obligated the Developer to construct certain improvements to property identified in that Agreement; and WHEREAS, Section 4.7 of the Agreement required the HRA to furnish the Developer with a Certificate of Completion upon completion of the Phase II construction in accordance with Concept Plans; and WHEREAS, the Developer provided the HRA with a Letter of Undertaking dated December 16, 1996 and Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit in the amount of $2.0 million dated November 15, 1996 as performance security for certain site improvements and site assembly costs for the Shops at Lyndale, Phase II; and WHEREAS, the Developer has made certain site assembly payments and has requested that the Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit dated November 15, 1996 be reduced in the amount of $450,000; and WHEREAS, staff has found that payments made toward site assembly costs would warrant the reduction in the Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit dated November 15, 1996. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority that the Executive Director and HRA Chair are directed to take all steps necessary to facilitate a reduction in the Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit dated November 15, 1996 by $450,000 and obtain a replacement Letter of Credit in the amount of $1,550,000 from the Developer. Adopted by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Richfield, Minnesota this 17th day of March, 1997. Thomas E. Harms, Chair ATTEST: Michael Sandahl Secreta ry • HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HRA Letter No. 1.4 , Agenda March 17, 1997 Issue Statement: Public hearing and consideration of a resolution for the sale of 817 East 66th Street (former FINA gas station site). Background: The HRA acquired this property to remove a blighted condition and to facilitate appropriate redevelopment. The property is zoned C-2 (general commercial) and a commercial reuse is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Commission passed a resolution to that affect at their March 11, 1997 meeting. Two proposals have been received for the redevelopment of this site. Richfield Floral 8~ Nursery proposes to build a second retail building adjacent to their existing building and integrate the sites. Minnesota Valley School of Music proposes a two story split entry structure to be used as a music school. A comparison of the two proposals is attached as is material submitted by each proposer. A developer's agreement is not required to effectuate the land sale. At the time of • closing on the land sale the selected developer would be required to submit an executed construction contract and executed financing documents. Recommended Motion: Adopt a motion which approves the attached resolution and select either Richfield Floral & Nursery or Minnesota Valley School of Music as the redeveloper. Basis of Recommendation: 1. The HRA purchased this property to remove blight and to facilitate appropriate redevelopment. The proposed commercial reuse of the property would accomplish both of those objectives. 2. The Planning Commission found commercial reuse to be consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan. 3. The proposed use is a permitted use within the C-2 (general commercial) zoning district of which this site is a part. 4. Legal notice of the public hearing was published in the Sun Current, March 5. 5. Letters were sent to owners and residents along Elliot and Chicago Avenues between 66th and 67th Streets. (See attachment). • • Alternative Recommendation: 1. Defer action and continue the hearing until April 21, 1997. 2. Reject both proposals. Discussion/Decision Mode: Representatives of both groups will be in attendance at the meeting to discuss their proposal. Minnesota Valley School of Music has a lease at their current location in Bloomington which expires in August 1997. Respectfully submitted, Jame .Prosser Execu iv Director JDP:cak • HRA RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY AT 817 EAST 66TH STREET WHEREAS,. the Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Richfield (HRA) has acquired the property at 817 East 66th Street, legally described as Lot 3, the east half of Lot 2 and the East 10 feet of the North 10 feet of the W 1/2 of Lot 2, Terrace Gardens, Addition, Hennepin County, Minnesota; and WHEREAS, the HRA has sought a redeveloper for the site; and WHEREAS, the HRA has evaluated a proposal from Minnesota Valley School of Music, LLC. and Richfield Floral & Nursery Inc.; and WHEREAS, an independent real estate appraiser has valued the property for redevelopment purposes at $65,200; and WHEREAS, the HRA is authorized to sell real property within its area of operation after public hearing; and WHEREAS, the public hearing has been held after proper notice; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Richfield has determined that the disposition of the Property for Project purposes is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Richfield: 1. A public hearing has been held on the sale of the real property described above. 2. Sale of the property to for $65,200 is hereby approved. 3. The Chairperson and Executive Director are authorized to execute any and all agreements required to effectuate this Resolution. Adopted by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Richfield, Minnesota this 17th day of March, 1997. Thomas E. Harms, Chair ATTEST: Michael Sandahl, Secretary C7 • 1--1 .~ w p p U N ... cC O h Q a a O U 0 --ti 0 p ~, ~ ~ a o O u, T3 .. •: ~ ^: ~:' :~ ~ ..~... U r vi tilt. ;~ r~~.y°~.,~~~ tti;.s ~ ~ S+ '^'~ ~ N ic' s . ~ i~ it ~y }k J.,4,~y~yy ,aT4 ! ~ ~~ N ~~ W U' d 3 :~::~n >S ~ r :.. ,,,~' ;3 cd ~:,. cc ~ d.: •r,,, ~ ~. cC f ~fµti ~ f~ a ~ ~ ~ ..•: ~ ....~ ~ a v] tC ~ • oo s °~ ~ c~ ~ ^" '. ~ V7 ~ to 'b ~ ._. .... ::;:... w ~ ~~i~ ~ w ~ l`~ ~ 6i4 ~ ~ c~ i?r$ ` c~ Q ~ ~ ~ it ~+" bq b Q~ fit' ~ ~ U ~: d•_.. j ,f.:..~~.`: '' ~a .~ r~ /-~ v-. O O .~ U O `~~h i~ ~r ~•-i O w N ..C; U ~i O r ,,~;~:. ,~ 4r C`'i::Y• `~ti~~~ ~ Y• ' ~•' O 4 : .,..i Y ,.~;a~?y~ ~ r £i O :;:t's;: N .~ . .. .T . :..-: . , r - ,y .~ - ~ ~ ~ '~h` Lw '•z ~ ,~; 'C ~ `•'T`''C" M . ~ p '~ t c~ ~i ~~ss~r ~i 'r Q~ ~v,••-•- ~ ~ ~ r~' ' Q~ Q~ ~ ~-I '.. +"" :~~~t~ + ~ .. • U " ••`?rx~; .. r; ~ , ~.,~ • f .s,;:. ~~ .. .;.. ^~ ~ U .r ~~ o ~ ~ • z ~. e~ ••::~ a~ r~:::: 'C3 ~:. x ~ ::aC7 QZ.:• F O'H .~ . f: ~' ~ ' .~`' V] ,:` p, - ~ .~ .: ~ ~ ~ o x. O U C." C~, bA b .~ O 0 U .[ .~ ~". •_~ .~ .a ,~ w • • • Community Development 6700 Portland Avenue • Richfield, Minnesota 55423-2599 City Manager Mayor Council , James D. Prosser Martin J. Kirsch Susan Rosenberg Kristal Stokes Michael Sandahl Russ Susag March 10, 1997 Dear Resident and/or Property Owner: Several months ago, the Richfield Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) purchased what had been a vacant gas station at East 66th Street and .Elliot Avenue. More recently the structures on that property were removed by the HRA. Two potential users of this property have submitted proposals to the HRA to purchase and redevelop the site. One potential user is Richfield Floral & NurseryInc. currently located adjacent to this site. They would construct a new building and relocate their floral business from the existing building to the new building. The space`they vacate would be rented to another retail user. The convenience grocery store would continue to operate at its present location. Another proposal has been submitted by Minnesota Valley School of Music currently located in Bloomington, MN. They envision a split entry two story building.. This is a privately owned and operated music school which provides teachers for students learning to play string instruments or the piano. The HRA will consider the two proposals at their Monday, March 17 meeting at 7:00 P.M. at City Hall. They may select one of the proposals at that meeting to be constructed.. You are invited to attend the: meeting and listen to and participate in the discussions regarding the two proposals.: If you. are unable to attend the meeting you may contact John Melin at 861- 9779 and express any thoughts or reactions which will be forwarded to the HRA. Note that the HRA meeting begins at 7:00 P.M. This will be the'second substantive item on the agenda and will therefore. not be considered immediately at 7:00 P.M. Sinc ly, ~; e Palmborg, ommunity Development Director BP:js The Urban Hometown Telephone (61.2) 861-9760 • Fax (612) 861-8974 General City Matters: 861-9700 - An Equal Opportunity .Employer CONCEPTUAL SITE. PLAN (MN VALLEY SCHOOL OF MUSIC) EAST 66TH ST. .-..~ ~ ~ i ~ i FLOWER SHOP BLDG ~ i ~ NEW BLDG rn ._.._- ( ~ ____ ' n m~ • • • SWORN CONSTRUCTION STATEMENT Description of work Estimated Expenditure Surveying 375 Architecture /Plans 3,000 Appraisal 800 Building Permit 5,000 Excavating /Final grading 3,500 Landscaping /Sprinkling .system 4,000 Footings 1,200 Foundation./ Rigid insulation Formed 13,300 Concrete Floors 4.700 Entry Way and Walks 2,500 Driveway and Blacktopping 12,000 Brick Work 4,900 Stucco 6,000 Lumber l framing, Trusses, Finish, Roofing 47,000 Windows /Doors 8,000 Carpentry /Roofing Labor 14,500 Heating /Ventilating, Airconditioning, Air Exchange 10,000 Plumbing /Baths, Kitchen 8,000 Electrical /Lighting fixtures 8,000 Insulation /Sound Batting 5.000 Acoustical Ceilings / 2,000 Ceramic Tile / Linoleum 4,000 Carpeting 3,000 Kitchen Appliances / Refrig. Microwave Oven, Disposal, C- Vac 2,000 Cabinets !Countertops 2,500 Painting 2,000 Music Studios. /Sound Reducing Modules f 10) 26,000 Music. Equipment /Recital Room Grand Piano, Chairs, Display cabinet, Music Stands, Bulletin boards, Office Desk. 17,000 Telephone System 2,000 Contractor Fee 20,000 Lift 10,000 Land Cost 65,000 Financing Costs 6,000 Total Estimated Costs 5323,275.00 This statement is prepared subject to Final Plans and written Proposals from Subcontractors. The estimates are felt to be reasonable and within acceptable standards. Look at the following - Music Studios -They are a specialty item. Quotes for pre manufactured studios have been as high as S 15,000 per studoo. These studios will be custom made on site. Studio Equipment is special as well. • • HISTORY OF THE BUSINESS The business was established in 1980 by Dorley Lerud as The Music Staff. It has always been located in Bloomington in leased space from the Bloomington Public Schools. Kay Ellickson began teaching violin at The Music Staff in 1984 and in the summer of 1988 bought the String Department. Dorley taught voice lessons and had about 60 voice students so that she could not continue to administrate the school. and teach. The Piano Department was purchased by Mary Ann Namtvedt and the Instrumental Department was purchased by Karen Frawley at that time. In the summer of 1989, the Voice Department was sold along along with the name of the school and the logo. The buyer did not. wish to affiliate with the String, Piano and Instrumental Departments. Thus we chose a new name for the school, Minnesota Valley School of Music, to define the area of the Twin Cities. that we served and we continued to operate the business as a three=way partnership. We began our Kindermusik program in the fall of 1991 in .response to the growing number of requests for lessons or a program for young children. In May 1992 Karen Frawley sold her share of the business to Mary Ann and Kay. We attempted to continue with the instrumental lessons, but found it difficult to attract students since most of the prospects began lessons in the 5th grade with the school instrumental programs and had established relationships with other teachers. Our conclusionwas. that we should concentrate on our areas of interest (Strings, Piano and Kindermusik). which seemed to offer the most possibilities for growth. This has proven to be successful as we have experienced a growth rate in excess of 20% each year. In January 1997 the business became a Limited Liability Company. • MINNESOTA VALLEY SCHOOL OF MUSIC . 1996-1997 Minnesota Valley School of Music offers lessons in piano, violin,. viola, cello and guitar to students from age. 5 to adult. The school also offers a .pre-school program, Kindermusik, for children from 18 months to 6 years and their parents. The core of the string program is the Suzuki method of teaching which emphasizes early beginnings, listening, and rote-learning with the parent observing each lesson and acting as "home teacher". There is a private lesson each week and a group lesson. on alternate weeks. The students all study the same repertoire so that the group lessons emphasize ensemble playing. Suzuki students then begin note-reading Older beginning violin students or transfer students may be taught by a more traditional method ofnote-reading from the beginning. The guitar teachers teach various styles of guitar playing -once the basics are mastered. However, one of our. teachers is trained in the: Suzuki guitar method and will take students as young as age 5. The piano program is more traditional in that for most of the students note reading is taught from the beginning lesson and various methods are used by the individual teachers. We encourage. our students through grade 3 to enroll in a combination of group and private lessons so that they get a firm foundation in music theory. Kindermusik The Kindermusik program has its roots in Germany where it was developed by Lorna Lutz Heyge. She then adapted and translated the program for use in the US and began training teachers in 1974. In 1984, the growing interest and demand created a business to provide. curriculum materials which is now known as Kindermusik International. The program has expanded to three levels: Beginnings for parents and children 18 months to 3 years, Growing With Kindermusik for children 3-4_years and the Young. Child sequential program for children 4-6. In the summer of 1991, Kay and Mary Ann both took the Kindermusik training and the first class was offered at MVSM in September 1991. There were 5 children in that first class and one of them is still a piano student at our school. In five years we have grown from i-class to 10 classes and the Kindermusik program has had a number of graduates who are still private students at MVSM. Kindermusik International has over 2,000 licensed teachers throughout the United States, Canada and 20 other countries. The Kindermusik program at MVSM ranks among the 200 largest programs being offered. Our Students The private student enrollment as of February 1997 is as follows: 90 string students, 82 piano students and 23 guitar students. There are 58 Kindermusik students giving us a total of 253 students. Less than half of our students live in Bloomington. The breakdown is as follows: Bloomington 106 Minneapolis 28 Eagan 23 Lakeville 14 Edina. 13 Apple Valley 12 Burnsville 12 Eden Prairie 11 Richfield l0 Savage 6 Golden Valley 2 Prior Lake 2 Minnetonka 2 Plymouth 2 Shakopee 2 Farmington 2 St. Louis Park 2 Mendota Heights 1 Chaska 1 Woodbury 1 Northfield 1 Based on our present student population, we feel that a location near the freeway system with adequate parking facilities will appeal to families from a wide area who are seeking quality music instruction for themselves or their children. Our Teachers Our teachers are inde endent contractors and man of them maintain a rofessional P y P performing. career as well as teaching. Our teachers are committed to excellence with broad teaching experience, performance skills and educational background. They renew their contracts with us each June for the following summer and school year. Our school year begins with summer .lessons of at least six weeks and then 32 private lessons during the following September though early June. Tuition statements are issued by each teacher to their students and the teacher is responsible for making sure that the tuition is paid on a timely basis. Tuition checks are made out to MVSM and the directors record the payments and keep the financial records. The teacher then. submits a paymentform showingnames. of students, number of lessons and- the amount owed to the teacher twice each 9 week session.. Teachers are issued 1099s at the end of the calendar year. As of March 1,1997, we have 4 string teachers., 3 guitar teachers, 3 piano teachers and 2 Kindermusik teachers beside the directors on our staff. We expect these numbers to grow because we have-been limited by our studio space"this current year.. Advertising and Marketing We have found that our most effective advertising is the Yellow Pages ad. When people are searching for a music teacher, they turn to the Yellow Pages. We have also used the free family oriented papers, FAMILY TIMES and 1\ZINNESOTA PARENT, for ads, particularly in the summer. Area Kindermusik teachers and Kindermusik International have cooperated on large ads to promote the program. Occasionally, we will advertise in the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies or Minnesota Youth Symphony programs. We have also participated in a mall promotion of family activities at Southdale, the Bloomington Loves Its' Kids celebration, and a home schooling conference exhibit area. We keep a Kindermusik mailing list of persons who have called for information and send letters and registration forms at the appropriate times. Our Competition The competition ranges from Mac Phail Center for the Arts in downtown- Minneapolis which has several thousand students to schools offering similar programs such as St. Joseph's School of Music in St. Paul, K & S Conservatory in Woodbury and the Music Studios of Jan Erickson in the western suburbs.At the other end of the music instruction spectrum, there are the home studio teachers and lessons offered by music stores. Our decision has been to concentrate on our specialties of strings, piano and young children and to build the stongest program that we can in these .areas.. Our strength lies in the fact that the directors of the school are actively teaching in their respective fields and are also actively teaching Kindermusik. The children and parents develop an attachment to a particular teacher and often will continue with private lessons because of the relationship. Outlook For Growth Research has been publicized recently in national magazines such as TIME (Feb. 3, 1997) and NEWSWEEK`(Feb. 19, 1996) on the development of a child's brain and the importance of music to that development. Researchers are discovering that there is a critical period from birth to age 9 for the development of music skills. The research also shows that there is a direct relationship between music study and intellectual development, especially in math and science. As parents become more aware of the value of early music education, our school will continue to grow. ... , ,._:.~a. v .P.~c~k ~fn ..c .. ~, ~ .~. .~ .~ fa a •... ~ ~ B. .a a.. ~.. ~, a e o e e e ~,~at~ of Minnesota ss~s SECRETARY OF STATE Certificate of Organization I, Joan Anderson Growe, Secretary of State of Minnesota, do certify that: :yrticles of Organization, duly signed, have been filed on this date in the Office of the Secretary of State, for the organization of the following limited liability company,-under and in accordance with the provisions of the chapter of Minnesota Statutes listed below. This limited liability company is now legally organized under the laws of Minnesota.. Name: Minnesota Valley School 'of Music, LLC Charter Number: 4612-LLC Chapter Formed Under: 322B This certificate has been issued on 01/06/1997.. Secretary of State.- ' ~~ )~ i P 3S~'7 `Z`' ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION OF ' .MINNESOTA VALLEY SCHOOL OF MUSIC, LLC The undersigned, of full age, for the purpose of forming a limited liability company under ~_ and pursuant to the provisions of Minnesota Star:=tes Chapter 322B and all amendments thereto, hereby adopts the following Articles of Organization:: ARTICLE I The name of the limited liability com~ar~ ("Company") shall be Minnesota Valley School of Music, LLC: ~ ARTICLE II The registered office of this Company is located at 8900 Portland Ave. S. #110, Bloomington, Minnesota 55420 ARTICLE III The name and address of the organizer of this Company is as follows: Richard L. Moms 7380 France Avenue South Suite 200 Minneapolis, MN 55435 ARTICLE IV Unless dissolved earlier according to law, this company shall exist for a period of thirty years ~_ from and after the date these Articles of Organization are filed with the Minnesota Secretary of State. ARTICLE V Upon the occurrence of any event under Minnesota Statutes, Section 322B:80, Subdivision ~_ 1, Clause (5), that terminates the continued membership of a member in the Company and leaves the Company with at least two remaining members, the remaining members shall have the. power to avoid dissolution by giving dissolution avoidance consent. ARTICLE VI The members of the Company shall not have the power to enter into a business continuation agreement. ®Z~~~~ . ,. ~~~o~x~ ~~~~n 7~ ~~~~~~n c~ ~~' o ~ ~ '-• •-; ~ C tea:. ~a~ ~ o -~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~-* N R. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~'~ C ~ ~~ ~~ x ~ ~ ~'~ ~ C ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~. n~ ~.~~~~ ~ C ~ ~ ~ N n ~ ~ ~ ~'O ~ A ~ ~ O ~ ~ -,~~~`~o ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ U: ~ o~~C"CJ -~x~~, ~'~ ~~~ Z ~~•~ y ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ r ~~~~~ ~ ~ Z C• ~': ~ ~~ ~~~~~. o,~o~o .-~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - ~~_,~~~_ C7 ~ ~-+ ~. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ °o<~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o a.o ~~ ~~~~ o.~~~ -~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~'o <•~ ~:~~o ~. ~ O ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ d ~ ~ ry ~ A~ Q. (7 ~ ~ ~~" ~~~~ ~~ ~ N C. T' ~ • • ~xC"xo~ ~n ~~~ ~,~xo ~ ~. ~ --- n ~ ~ C ~ N. dv '~ ~~a~~~~•~1.7 ~~x~ ~ ~~ `*~ O ~ ~ ~- O ~T] ~~~_~ ~ ~~ ~'N ~'~ ~x,~~a.. ~ ~'~ x• ~ ~ ~~ ~~~ n ~ ~ ~ ~ x-~o o ~~ O ~~7~¢'~d ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ •~~o~oN ~~•~~ ~.~ ~~ ~,~ ~~. ~ ~ ~ Q.. O G~ 'SJ n r ~C o' ~~ O ~ °o° 0 o '*~ ,~ o C" C" C ~ ~ C ~~ ~o ~. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ r. ,~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 0 0 w b~~ t-'b~ ~~x ~m~ N r ~ ~' z yob ~zz ~.AG~ b~ ~O~ ~[CO ~~C memo ~ C ~O Y~ n ~' C'" O y C • Q- ~ d ~ ~' ~ G~ y ~ 'b C~ O ~ ~ m ~ C Z ~ Z ~ C~ C-' ~ ~ d ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~ ~~~'~~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ O ~ r ~ ~ C17 ~. ~ ~ ~ ci ~' ~ ~ '-.j `G CD rj ~• m m ~~ . ~ x ~~~ O ~ o~ ~ 0 j ,. ~~ o-~ _ '' ~ as y ~~'' o ~ ao x O '"_' , ] ~. ti ~ `< cD x C •'a ~ cn • ~ O y ~ ~-3 ~ ~ c~ ~ O.. ~ ~ n ~ ~. h O trio C~ ~ C/) p0 O C~/~ '~ ~ ~ ~ ~' C/] ~" (? ~ ~ ~ ran ~ ,~' y a. :s ~ ~ ~ ~ < .A W ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~_ 7 / (p ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o in Q• ~ .~ O.. .., ~ 'a ~ ~ n ~ ~ ~ (D ~ ~ v= C 3 O ~ n ~ O n ~ "' O ~ n ~ ~, ~ ~ ~ . "~ ~ a' 0 a -- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ O ~ D C ~ ~ ~ a- n' cD ~ ~ ~ '~ r+ .a . cic a.. y. ~.. ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ r. O ~_ ~' O r, ~ ~ p, ~ ~ a. c~ ~ o ~ -- n O .:a ~ v~ ~ ~ ~, ±n to n ~ ~ ~. an ~ ~ z A~ y ~ ~ ~ O O O ,~.. t n o ^' r r~ ~ ~. "' ~ O V~ ~ ~ ~ ~ n O Vi •' a~ r N ~• ~, ~ O ~ O - ~ ~ ~ ~ 7': ~ O ~- • U ~ • ~ ~' ~ 0 n"'aa 0 ~ - .~ ° ~cp'o C O a~~ ~• ~ ~ -~s . ~ ~b~~ ~ ~ ~ U ~ j ~ -- O .+~ .~ .~ bD O ~ ~'' C 'J "~ ~ .~ N G" vs > ~ y~_, ~ cC vii y '~ ,~ v~ cC ~, C ~ °~ ~ ~ cp.~ ~ O ~ W O'O N ~ C O cC ~ ~ U y ~ ~+-~ . ~ -~ ~ dq ci ~ ~ ~, ~, +-' ~ C ~, ~ U~'~~0~-~~s `^o ~~~~ Z °J.•~ v~ p,~~ .~~~~Q-moo v a> ...,. O s...... .~ ~i.~~ ~.~ ~ ~~ V1 ~ O ~ O ~. N ~ 4.., ~ w~~1.4-,_~bD_~~ Q ~ V ~,~•~ C1.v~ 2 O ~ ~ ~ ~ ~"O ~i ~. OU ~ '.~ tom. ~ ~ O N ~ ~ .~ ~ C • s:. p u. vi ~ ,__, .... ~ N -~ o o y vs ~ -~ ~ o ~ ~r. ~ O O 3~ 0 ~ ~,, O O ~ `~ s.. w ~~ ~~ ~~~ c~-S ~ > ~ r • i. N ~ ~ ~ ~ w cC O O U ~^, O ~•°~ ~ ~ a~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ °•3 ~ Q ~ H W ~ ~ Z~ ~ o ~~ Q W~ ~~ w~ oW w E"'W MQ v ~z ~~ ~ .--, (s, N ~~ ~Q ~ awwwww o~z~~~~ r-1 ~ opw~~<C~~ oovo~vo ~~W~Q,' ~ '--~ M M N 69 64 ~ J 69 ~ 64 Q W H H ~ N N O ~ ~ ~ ~ O ~_ ~ O ;~ N •+ ~ ~ V "G ~ • ~ ~.+ ~ ~ ~ U ~ ~ ~ ~ ] ~ _ 4~ . ~ . ~ ~ b~Q sr ~ N ~. ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~~ '~ > ~ ~ ~ •cq.~ bn~ ~, °o ~ • ~.~ ~ ~~ ~~cw ~ ~3 ~ ~~:~ ~, O O c~C o U ~ ~ ~. y ~ ~~a ~ ~a ~ ~~ o ~ o ~ ~ O O N „~ ~ ' ~ ~~•o Y a~ ~ U ''~ cd Q•, cC b4 r ''-' ~ ai O O y ~ O ,~ ~ ~1, ~ ,U, „O ~ O O ~ ~ cC ~ '~3~~ ~-o ~ ~ O•~ ~ O ~~~~ ~.~ f~ ~ .. O v C ~ O L].. O ~ ~ .. N U C N '~ ~ O O ~~•+ +O+ ~ ~ ..O ~ ~ ;"~ ~ ~ ~ 'CS .~.~ o~ ~~ o ~ L ~ ~ ~ O U y~ ~~ ~ ~ ~. o N U u. ~, ~ ~ o ~" CD ~ C ~ L•. . ,.. ~ ~ ~ a, U ~ ~.~ b •o ~ a, N ~~ H ~ O W C~7 °' ~ ~ x ~ ~. 3~ ~ O o~ ~ 69 W~ '~ O W •~ ~H U O H 3 z~ O~ ~ ~ ~ ~ c Ho M _ M 69 O ~, M O W •~ d E~-~ C..~ i~ C/~ U O H 3 ~. z~ O~ ~ ~ c ~ ~ w ~' ~ O z~ ~ o W •~ dH 7~ ~,~o..zo O ~~-3 ~ ~ c ~ Cd ra ~ c3"crc c (D -, ~ ~C~" ~ (D ~ ~ CrJ y ~-' ~'~N ~C ~O y ~ n•~~UQ ni m ~ Oa p` O ~C ~ ~Tj `~ ~ ~p N C C" c~ ~ ~.. '-~ r CD ~ ~ ~ Cl.. ~ ~' A~ ~' ni ~ '.~ n - c~ ooo~~.a ~~~ ~. 'rs~~oox ~crava~~, o ~~~~~x ~~~~~ x~~ ~a-~.~,~~ yN~ m~~~~ w --~ Oa~N ~ ~ --~ ~ ~~10 ~0,~ ~~- m ~ m°oo `D.~~o~7 noo z~o~~ YOO ~ ~~ ~°~~ ~~~ ~~;vo ~ ~ tn%n~ ~~ ~ °~,~ m ~, via-~'~ o c~ a- ~' ~ W ~, ~ ~r'~ v,~xCD~p' mro `~ o~~~ tn~ •o'O,~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~ o ~ c~ o ~~ ~~aOo~Q~ ~~C ~~,~~•~ C~~ `~~~~o~ ~m ~oo,~o~ m ~~.oc~ ~ co~~~~ ~~~~~~ a~ ~•~s~~~ C~v~~ ~~ocro,~ ~ ~~..~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~O~ ~ ~ ~ '' o mQ c~ co ~.~ ~ O ~o co O `~~~~<-c ~ x a. t~v ~~ ~o ~.~~~~ ~ ~ Ova ~ ° ~ ~•o n. ~ ~ ~ ~.. • ~ `~' ~ ~ CD ~ G ~ C.n ~ ~ ~ ~~G O ~ ~ ~ ~• ~ ~ y ~' N ~C ~~-s T.' ~ O O Q.. ~ vz 'a ~ c~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~ ~~ 'OO-~ ~° ~.~~ x ~~~oo~- ~~~~~-~ z ~ ~~ ~~~ ~ o °~~~ ~ ~~~~"~-~ 0 ~v~ ~rn x~~ ~.~ x ~~~~~~ y ~ ~ o ~ o~a~ C ~ ~~~ ~~ ~ ~~~~~~ o~~~o~ ~ ~ ~ o ~~:~ ~ ~ ~ ~< ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~, ~. ~ ~ a. r* coo~.~~ `°~~ ° x ~ ~ ~~'~ ~~o~~ ~~~~ ~~~~~ °m'~~~~x~ O ~'Cn~-max ~c~n.Z o~ ~rC ~-•'~~~~m'~ :d ~ b ~' ~ OZ ~' ~ ~ y~,~ ~ N ~.~ a.o ry•x~ ~ '~Oo~~ ~r'co~ ~~c~~a~ ~c~i~~~sv~ ~ C" ~~~~N o~~'~ ~~a-a Q..oo~tro d ~ Z~~~~ ~-•~o .mom. ~~y~~~0 ~ ~ ~ ~ n. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~•~~ ~~ ~ ~ •o 'fit` V ~ o '~ c ~ +, -o ~ .~ O +~-• c~ .L' ~ .~ ~ o N ~ ~ '~ ~ ~ O ~,~~v O _0 ~ +U-' ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ow O ~ A/1 vii v~ U .~ O h~l N U ~ ..~ ~y L CG L ~ O"~U ~ U ~ O ~l.O ~ ~ ~ O'0 w ~ 0 ~ ~ ~ ~ O s- c~ N ~ y ~ > 'U .~ ~ ~ ~ X ~ O ~ U ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ O ~ ~~ ~ ~ -o °~' ~ ice.. LO -~ v ~ -o Z a ~ ~~~~ 0 ~ ~ w ~ ~ F-~ ~ ~ O ~ Cdr C O ~ s.. ~ v~ G~ . `~ ~ ~O ~ U U O ~ N ~ HOW Tv FIND US The Bloomington Education Center is located at 8900 Portland Avenue South. There is lighted parking in both the front and rear of the building. ~y . ~. 3 ~ ~ .~ ~ ~ ~ ~ U cci U ~ O ~~ ~ ~ S~ r...~ ~ N . ~ bA s., U ~~~~ .~ U ;~ rn O ~ ' _" ~ ;,v~ °o ~~ C c~3 N ~ vUi U ~..~ E'~,.i ~~ ~ "" ~ ~ ~ C cC ~ ~ U~ ~"d j ~ U O = Q' ~0.~ ~ c~C ..~ ~ U -'~ (~ O~ U ~ ~ ~ V ~ U ~^ ~ '~ ~.~ +U+ ~ ~ .~ >U~~ ~ ~ ~ ~~° ~3 n O U ~ M N U-~ ~ ~ O W .'" O 3 c c ~4'; O O O cn C ~ GfJ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ U ~ ~ ~ ~ O O C -~ ~, ~ O O c~ rn H~(~ ~ N MINNESOTA VALLEY SCHOOL OF MUSIC 8900 Portland Ave. South MINNESOTA Bloomington, MN 55420 VALLEY SCHOOL of MUSIC on ~ • °' C . L raj ~ V) s.. ~ .__. U O ~ N O CZ. ..~ ~~•~ ~ icl '~' ~ O ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ Q ~ ~.x' U N~,:-3> o~~a~~ ~_~ ~ y ~ ~w ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ N ~ ~ ~ ~ y bA O N 'O +~ ~ ~ ~ J O ~ O ~ _~ _~ C bA ~ s-. '~ O.~ N ~ O U ~~ >,U ~ ~ O ~ t.., s.. ~--~ ~ ~ n,o~~w ~,-~ ~ ... o-~d~ o c~3 _ ~ ~ ~'F~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~,>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ O.~ ~' ,__. ~ ~ ~ '.~ ~ -~ ~ vii ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~_ ~ ~ U c~, yr U ' V ~ c~ ~ , U -~ ~ ~~„ ~ y cd ~~„ L-S^+ ~ L (~ ~ ~ [) ~ (] ~~_c..•~ U ~ ~,J U ~ ~ L.. O ~ C ~ . _• cd ~ y ,~ N ~, .O ~ ~ ~ C1. cn C1. ~ vi +~ ~,' ~ U ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ U ~ ~'O y va ~ O ~ ~ O ~ C > ~ ~ . U v' ~. ~ ',., cn Q- ~ ~ ~ ~ O n7 ~ U ~~.~~ ~ ~~•~ Q ~ U cUC U ~ w rUn ~ U 4--. X ai i.. ~ G> Q ..., ..~ y N O ^C s.. ~+ ~ U O U '~ 4. O~ O r-/i ~ ~ c > ~ ~. one-- ~ ~ . ~ C Ste, Q., p ~ ~ O' 3 r-~ -~ ~ N ~ ~ 'C3 U ~.C v' cn N.~~ v~ Q- ~' y cd; .~ s.. -O U ~.. ~ 'LS ,~ 'O U O U «i O ;~ O . ~ ~ Q~~u.~>, v~3.~UC7 • • ~~• f ~~ ! ,~ ~. "~ti ~~ 348 ARTICLE VII No member of this Company shall have any cumulative voting rights. ARTICLE VIII No member of the Company shall have any preemptive rights as provided in Minnesota Statutes, Section 322B.33. ARTICLE IX The name(s) of the first governor(s). of this Company: are as follow;: Mary Ann C. Namtvedt Kathryn L. Ellickson - ARTICLE X Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Board of Governors of this company not needing approval by the members, may be taken "by written action signed by the number of .governors hat would be required to -take such action at a meeting of the Board of Governors at which all governors are present. ARTICLE XI No governor of this Company shall be personally liable to the Company or its members-for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty by such governor as a'governor; provided, however, that this_Article shall. not eliminate or limit the liability of a governor to the extent provided by applicable law (i) for. any breach of the governor's duty ofloyalty-to the Company or its members,- (ii) for acts or omissions aot in goon faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law,. (iii) under Minnesota Statutes, Sections 322B.56 or 80A.23, (iv) for any transaction from .which the governor derived an improper personal benefit or (~) for any act or omissions occurring prior to the effective date of this Article. No amendment to or repeal of this Article shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any governor of the Company for orwith respect to any acts or omissions of such governor occurring prior to such amendment or repeal. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hand this 17th day of December, 1996. Richard L. Morris :STATE OF MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF STATE 2 ~ .FILED .~ T:\N'PDATA\NETWORKW..M\962619AR.ORG -~ JAt! -61997 ~~ ~~~~c= Secretary of Slate 811 E. 66th Street • ~ Blocks East of Portland Aue. Ric~eld, Minnesota 5523 869-9101 To H.R.A. Members, .Richfield Floral and Nursery: has been in business on the corner of66th St. And Chicago ave since 1951.Our family, which consists of Bud and Bea Wikstrom, daughter Patricia Harris, daughter and son in law, Nancy and Gary Griemann have built the business to what is today, a neighborhood landmark We have faith in East Richfield as a commercial and residential area, and we want to be instrumental in improving. our existing property and the area surrounding it. Since,gardening is the nations #1 past-time, we would like to expand that part. of our business. At -our. present site we are unable to do that. We have also enjoyed many years of steady growth and have outgrown our present floral shop location. In viewing the plans-you will see a full service floral shop and garden center, with beautifully designed landscaped areas, attractive signage and public seating space designed to view Veterans Park.You. will also notice we will be improving the two adjoining properties at 6614 Elliot and 811-813 East 66th. Street with-new. landscaping, new entrances, and signage.: This new location will provide exciting new opportunities for the business to grow and the tradition to continue. Thank you for your consideration, Sincerely, ~~ r ~ ~ ~~ i i atricia Harris 1 ncy Griemann -':/ . ~` Gary <str' ann "Our Weddings, Quality and Artistry Always"! VJ' 1CJ' :ll L".•-+V R1Vl~~ lC~l-L L~"'~1\f\ 1YV. 77J 1/Kll ~J' • ~ ~~~ \~~ ~ b625 Lyndale Avenue 5a. Richfield. Minnesota 55423-2389 /Telephone: (612} 798-3400 March 10,1997 Mr. Bruce Palmborg Community Development Director City of Richfield 57(}0 Portland Avenue South Richfield MN 55423 RE: Development Financing for Richfield P'toraUPat Harris Deaz Nir. Palmlwrg: - • • This letter will confirm that Richfield Bank & Trust , Co. has given. preliminary approval for interim permanent financing for a proposed redevelopment of property located at 66th Street and Elliot Avenue South, the "Elliot Project", for the benefit of Richfield FlorallPat Harris, Borrower. The financing package is contingent upon compliance by the Borrower with the usual and customary policies and procedures of the Bank and execution of the required loan documents. These procedures, policies, requirements, and documents include but aze not limited to the following:.. i . An appraisal inform and amount satisfactory to the Bank. 2. A title insurance policy showing the IIank with n first mortgage including mechanic's lien coverage.. 3. Execution by the Borrower of a :mortgage note,, construction loandgreement and such other documents that may be required by the $ank including. any necessary loan guarantees. Subject to the .foregoing, it is the Bank's intention to underwrite an interim /permanent 6nancin~; package for Richfield F1oral/Pat Haritis. ~ncere y y W. Stevens '~-'"`~-- . Assistant Vice President COMMERCIAL BANKING DEPARTM1Nt C'vpy: Nat Natris rElowll.Joc Member FDIC: Equa! livusing Lender E: \9~\FLORAL Fri Mar 7 11: 38: 46 1997 ELLIOT AVENUE Q -~ CP -t /~ m m -~ t .7 .7 n 7 n i ri 0 i CHICAGO AVENUE - .~ r..e.. ~-M..e. ~ ~ ~._~. ~ IXm lNL~TRAN2 I I F I • ~a ( ~° E Q ~~ I ~ I ~ C ~r I ~~_ I I I .~~~~m< A~R .... .I ~ ~ r6~ ^~^ ~ I 0 I I I I I le s I I I I _.~-_~-~ 0 0 m O m X -.~ m _~ 0 .Z7 m r O Z ~ i ~ _ RICHFIELD FLORAL t n.ney e.rpty met tnt. plan, .p.euteen.n er _ n E ~ hperf .es Pnpend !I m. .r und.r my diroet ~ 0 ~ ~ n~O~ o aup.nBlen and tAet I am a duly npl.bnd ^p '" o m « 66 TH k CHICAGO AVE 50. ulctnrccr und.r tt,. te.. et tn. V o ~ ` RICHFIEIDr MN. Slat. .t MINNESOTA ~ .C ~~ ~ o ° ~ ;n~ ~ ~ s o SITE PLAN do S'p^°'~n ~~ ~ -r*+Oin o a ~ _ ~ EXTERIOR ELEVATION ~ °~Z oat. p.pi.intlon MYme.r HOUSING. AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HRA Letter No. 13 Agenda March 17, 1997 Issue Statement: Conduct a study session with the City Council, Planning Commission and Community Services Commission regarding the status of the Richfield Lake Area (RLA). Background: The first agenda item for the March 17 Board meeting is a report by planning consultant Fred Hoisington concerning the RLA study. MnDOT's plan to make the freeway safer by eliminating the 1-35W and Crosstown Highway 62 commons area will result in the need for increased stormwater storage. Richfield Lake could receive that stormwater. Such a possible change at Richfield Lake has introduced an opportunity to look at the area south of Crosstown, east of I-35W, north of 68th Street and west of the Soo Line railway (the area around Richfield Lake) and how it might be utilized to help .provide for the future needs of Richfield. A stormwater ponding area for Richfield Lake has focused on anon-residential area adjacent to the lake, the Lyndale Garden Center. Discussion about the location for ponding will continue. A public open house on March 13, a Planning Commission meeting on March 25, and a City Council meeting on April 14 will provide additional opportunities to discuss stormwater management and the MnDOT highway project. At the HRA hosted study session on March 17, the four groups that are participating in • the RLA study are meeting together for the first time. As part of the community's vision to remain a great place to live, work and do business, attention is being given to exploring the opportunity for increasing the variety of housing, the opportunity for new retail investment, recreational opportunities and improved community gateways at Lyndale and the Crosstown, and 66th Street and I-35W. Fred .Hoisington will share the results of two community gatherings to date: a February 18 information meeting held for the community and neighborhood, and a March 1 workshop used to develop a vision and principles for the RLA as well as identify opportunities and concerns.. Handouts included with this letter are: • Tentative Project Schedule • Chronology of Key Events, June 1996 to March 1997 • Summary of the Richfield Lake Visioning Session (March 1997) • Vision Session results, "What Does this Place Want to Be?" • RLA Problem Statement, Mission, Objectives and Schedule • Q and A, follow-up to February 18 Information Meeting • Q and A, Your City, February 1997 • Richfield Lake Area Planning Analysis, June 1996, by Tom Martinson, Planning Consultant Recommended Motion: Accept the report and direct staff to finalize key principles, develop a framework for • identifying development opportunities, identify developmental concepts, and continue according to the project schedule (see attachment)., Basis of Recommendation: 1. Richfield cannot continue to be a great place to live, work, and do business if it does not provide residents with modern housing, shops, businesses and recreational opportunities. 2. Land use planning helps to avoid declining property values, disinvestment and deterioration. 3. Planning provides the opportunity to develop the RLA as a community asset -- improving housing choices; providing commercial investment and recreational opportunities, and improving the appearance of community gateways and transportation functions. 4. The kind of broad capital improvement and redevelopment success that has occurred elsewhere in Richfield has resulted from actions taken by the HRA, City Council, Planning Commission and Community Services Commission. 5. The HRA has identified CSM, a developer consultant, and Fred Hoisington, a planning consultant, to assist staff in identifying development opportunities that enhance land use and function and that are also marketable and financially feasible. 6. A schedule has been devised to ensure neighborhood and community involvement. (See attachments.) Alternative Recommendation: • 1. RLoAdify principles, priorities and the proposed schedule for the evaluation of the 2. Do nothing. However, the MnDOT stormwater needs and changes at key community. gateways will affect the RLA regardless. The RLA is seen as an area of opportunity for a greater variety of housing choices; upgraded commercial/retail properties, and the fuller enjoyment of Richfield. Lake by residents. Discussion/Decision Mode: The HRA, City Council, Planning Commission and Community Services Commission would meet as a group again as part of the regularly scheduled HRA meeting on July 21, 1997. Respectf submitted, Ja Prosser Exe u ' e Director JDP:cak • • • • RICHFIELD LAKE "What Does This Place Want. To Be? " Tentative Project Schedule DATE MEETING/ACTIVITY PURPOSE March 1, 1997 Visioning Session Arrive at a shared vision for Richfield Lake March 1997 Newsletter Report on visioning session results March 17, 1997 HRA, City Council, Planning Review results of visioning Commission, Community session Services Commission meeting March Prepare/mail vision statement For public review and guiding principles April/May Richfield staff & consultants Identify all possibilities/test to develop alternative feasibility concepts May Newsletter Report on alternative concepts May/June Community Meeting Review/test alternative concepts July 21, 1997 HRA, City Council, Planning Review/identify preferred Commission, Community concept Services Commission meeting July Newsletter Report on preferred concept July, August, September Richfield staff and consultant Illustrate how area will team to prepare Master Plan look and function September, October Community Meeting Review Master Plan October HRA, City Council, Planning Adopt Master Plan Commission, Community Services Commission meeting H:/CDADMIN/RLAP/TENTSCH.DOC Richfield Lake Area Key Events 1996-1997 (as of March 1 S, 1997) • • Date Event March 4, 1996 City Council Study Session; update on surface water management, pportunity to propose options to MnDOT that explore stormwater management that does not include the taking of 63rd and Dupont Apartments. June 1996 Completion of Richfield Lake Area Planning Analysis by Tom Martinson. July 1, 1996 Special City Council/HRA study session; a discussion of city development opportunities that includes the Richfield Lake Area as a potential area. July 23, 1996 The Planning Commission receives a presentation of the Martinson report by Tom Martinson. City Council and HRA members are invited to participate. August 19, 1996 The HRA authorizes planning consultant Fred Hoisington to assist with an evaluation of the Richfield Lake Area. September 24, 1996 The Planning Commission hosts a Visual Imagery Workshop which was conducted by Tom Martinson. The intent of the workshop is to gather information and opinion on community appearance and image as the Richfield Lake Area is discussed. October 1996 Martinson summarizes the results of the Imagery Workshop. Recommendations are made relative to the highway, bridge and . noise wall design to assist the city engineer in working on design issues with MnDOT. November 18, 1996 The HRA authorizes developer consultant CSM to assist with an evaluation of the Richfield Lake Area. The developer consultant resource team includes CSM, Rottlund Homes, and Tushie- Montgomery Architects. December 16, 1996 Dan Linnihan, Planning Commission Chair, meets with the Wood Lake Townhome Association at their request at their annual meeting. December 26, 1996 Letter from city staff to eight association members who attended December 16 meeting. Assurance provided that the association will be informed and that there are no plans for the area. January 14, 1997 MnDOT sponsors an open •house at Richfield Lutheran Church to provide information about the upgrading of I-35W and Crosstown 62. Fred Hoisington is available to answer questions about Richfield Lake Area as a study area. r • Date Event January 22, 1997 Sun-Current reports on the MnDOT open house, that the Richfield Lake Area is being studied and that public meetings are being planned. January 25, 1997 Richfield Remodeling Fair at the Richfield High School. Fred Hoisington is available to answer questions about Richfield Lake as a study area. February 1997 A Question/Answer summary shares information about the , Richfield Lake Area study and is distributed through Richfield's Your City. The Community is invited to attend a February 18 Public Information Meeting. February 7, 1997 The Mayor and the Chairs of the HRA, Planning Commission and Community Services Commission contacted approximately 1,350 residents, property owners, tenants, and businesses and invited them to the February 18 Information Meeting and the March 1 Visioning Session. The neighborhood of 1,350 is identified as the area east of I-35W, south of Crosstown 62, west of the Soo Line Railway and north of 68th Street. Boards and Commissions for the City also received the same notice. February 18, 1997 Fred Hoisington hosts an information meeting to discuss the Richfield Lake Area and receive comments and questions from participants. Approximately 100 participated. February 18, 1997 This issue of the Richfield Sun-Current includes a letter to the editor from Doris Rubenstein, a member of the Wood Lake Townhome Association. Ms. Rubenstein wants city planners to ensure Richfield Lake will "retain its nature" and that neighborhood interests will be considered. February 19, 1997 The Mayor invites 167 community leaders to the March 1 Visioning Session. The contacts include city boards and commissions, community groups, churches, Chamber of Commerce and school leaders. March 1, 1997 Fred Hoisington hosts a visioning session that gathers information on defining the Richfield Lake area for the community. H;/CDADMIN/RLAP/EVENTS.DOC • RICHFIELD LAKE "What Does This Place Want To Be?" SUMMARY VISIONING SESSION March 1, 1997 INTRODUCTION The Richfield Lake Visioning Session was held at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, 1997 at the St. Peters Catholic Church at 6730 Nicollet Avenue South. A total of 69 residents and business persons participated in the Visioning Session. Participants were randomly assigned to eleven tables. A series of questions were asked to which each group responded. A copy of the Discussion Guide is attached. OPENING EXERCISE -What is this Place? The following question was asked: What role(s) does the Richfield Lake area play in the larger Richfield community? (Think of both positive and negative roles). The following verbatim responses were recorded on a flip chart from any and all who offered them. • Families, education for children, affordable housing and good senior facilities. • The "downtown," recreation center, business center. • Mixed use with great lake, bad parking. • Air pollution from freeway, streets. • Gateway to City of Richfield and connection point east/west. • Loss of business a concern. • Low spot collecting runoff. • Opportunity for higher intensity housing. • Opportunity for mixed uses (post office, housing, VFW and American Legion). • Lake area is isolated asset, Lake is at-risk asset. • Underused recreational area. • Wildlife habitat area. • Part of chain-of-lakes. • Not positive looking gateway. • Potential gathering place, quiet to walk around lake, greenspace connection to lakes, transit center. • Concern for overuse. • Improve water quality. • Plays role for more passive recreational area. • Convenient for neighborhood. • Concern Richfield Lake if too big, won't be used by some neighbors. • Concern for change (frustrations). We have generally summarized the roles identified as follows. The Richfield Lake area is: • Richfield's Downtown (mixed use) • A recreation center (passive) • A gateway to the community • A crossroads (also aneast/west connection) • A low spot (the Lake) collecting runoff • An isolated asset • An area of wildlife habitat • Part of the Minneapolis Chain-of--Lakes • A neighborhood • A seniors community • A neighborhood convenience center VISIONING EXERCISE -What Does this Place Want To Be? Following Tom Martinson's presentation, small groups were asked if the Richfield Lake area were to be the ideal community in the year 2010, what characteristics or experiences would you expect it to offer? Individual groups discussed the question, arrived at conclusions and presented them at the "Vision Wall" as follows: Mixed Use • Balance of commerciaUresidential • Single-family homes/town houses • Affordable retaiUresidential mix -preserving residential serenity. • Preserve mix of affordable houses. • Encourage diversity in community (housing/business/recreation) • Do not build large apartment. Clean Environment • Enhance the water quality. • Clean environment. • Curb air pollution. Small Town Environment • Maintain small town/community. • Maintain local community environment. Improved Transportation • Do not run Mildred to Lyndale. • Improve post office parking. • Improved transportation and road plans. Richfield Lake Report Page 2 Integrated Greenwavs/Trails • Green space integration. • Develop outside paths. Recreational Centerpiece • "Wild" Lake. • Have recreational opportunities. • Recreational centerpiece. • Model urban park. • "Low volume" recreation. • Relaxation and recreation. A Natural Lake • No swimming beach, keep natural, not willing to give up my house. • Improved nature area. • Keep nature. • Maintain quiet nature. • Richfield Lake natural. • Maintain nature center. • Treat Richfield Lake and Lyndale area separately. • Maintain natural settings. • Nature retained. Safe and Ouiet • Safety issues. • Maintain safety. • Quiet, serene, safe. • Enjoy the quiet. • Stop! So we can have roses to smell. A Place for Families • A place for a family to live in the old God fearing family tradition with grass, garden, trees, neighbors. A Planned Environment • Progressive in planning. • Need overall plan -not patchwork. • Work for positive change. Business Investment and Tax Base • Encourage local business investment. • Build tax base. • Update commercial properties. Richfield Lake Report Page 3 Enhanced Gatewavs • Enhance gateways • Enhance north Lyndale gateway. • Better gateway. • Appealing gateway. • Improve visual appearance. PRINCIPLES EXERCISE -What principles will be important in realizing our collective vision for the Richfield Lake area? Each small group agreed to the relative importance of each principle and reported-their findings on the master chart (attached). These will serve as the basis for the Guiding Principles. FINAL COMMENTS Following the Principles Exercise, participants were asked to share comments. The following comments were offered: 1. Today's discussion evidences mixed ideas, half want things to remain static and half want things to change. How do we grow without growing up? 2. Perhaps the City is listening to the residents. We should look at this as a first step and look forward and not back. 3. We shouldn't "circle the wagons." Let's look at what is good for the whole City. 4. We need to look at the whole City and maybe the responses would be different if people from outside the area were here. 5. It is obvious that there is a lot of agreement on "what this place should be." 6. The City has done a great job of commercial development in a first-ring suburb and should be commended. 7. A Planning Commissioner thanked all for coming and being involved. 8. The Vision Cards should have been collected and arranged to be the subject of the next exercise. 9. The City has a great opportunity at Richfield Lake. It is an "isolated asset." The City has done a great job and is not afraid to reinvent "itself." Mayor Kirsch closed the meeting and thanked all who attended. Richfield Lake Report Page 4 NEXT STEPS • Based on the very favorable response to the Visioning Session and the City's role in making it happen, it is imperative that public involvement be continued at the highest level possible. First of all, it is appropriate to properly summarize the Vision and Guiding Principles and circulate them to some or all of the participants to receive feedback. Thereafter, we would strongly recommend an approach which leads to another significant public meeting in May or June where several very broad concepts can be evaluated by the public and they can assist in the selection of one or a composite of several elements from all of the concepts. This is a very effective way for large numbers of citizens and businesspersons to participate in the process in a meaningful and productive fashion. Leading up to the formulation of concepts will be the definition of the natural, historical and cultural framework which leverages from the Martinson Study. We will also portray opportunities and challenges. These will serve as the framework for understanding the alternative concepts. Assuming all goes according to schedule over the next two months and one alternative is selected for refinement, such refinement will occur over the summer. Another major public meeting will be held in September to review the preferred concept. The Development Team consisting of Staff, Planning Consultant and Development Consultant will work together over the summer to develop a plan which balances public input and strong urban design with real development projects. • Richfield Lake Report Page 5 RICHFIELD LAKE "UVhat Does This Place Want to Be?" n • • ossible Principles ~'er~~ Impurfant Inr ~ ~ ant Neutral I' orget Tt '~`~'' 2cs~zm ai~4 Broaden opportunities to walk and bike throughout the area? ~ (~ Q (~ 1 1 Maintain a good trail system around the lake? ~ 2 ~ (~ 1 1 Visually tie the area together (make it look and feel more cohesive)? ~ 6 1 (~ 1O Improve the biological quality of Richfield and Wood Lakes (water quality and wildlife)? c) (~ n ~ ~~ Provide opportunities for use of the Richfield Lake Park by all Richfield residents? ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Expand recreation offerings at Richfield Lake? U (~ -} 1 5 1 ~) Improve shopping and services? Q _5 3 1 9 Make bus service more accessible and functional? ~ ~ ~ ~~ 1 ~~ Improve housing variety for both existing and new residents? ~ S (~ 1 1 1 Make the highways compatible with the community? ~ ~ 1 ~ 1 ~ Compete effectively with developing suburbs for residents and shopping? ~ 7 O ~ 1 ~~ Plan for a net increase in housing? ~ ,~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ Stimulate investment in existing homes and businesses? 7 ,~ (~ ~~ 1O Improve visual access to Richfield Lake? ~ ~ ~ O 1 ~ Create a distinctive Richfield identity at the City's gateways (66~'/35W and Crosstown/Lyndale)? ,~ ,~ ~ y ~) 1O Provide a community focus or "gathering place" within the area? 1 ~ ~ ~) 1 ~ Use redevelopment as a tool to improve land use and change declining property values? ~ (~ ? O 1 l other: Safety ~ U 0 0 6 Other: Safe pedestrian crossing of 35W S ~ ~ O ~ (~ Other: Widen 66"' at 35W O ] =~ 1 ~ Other: Reduce noise pollution ~ ~ 1 (.~ ~ Other: Keep wild feeling ~ 1 ~ ~~ Other: Increase housing density 1 ~ ~ 3 Other: Suggested at meeting by tables • Richfield Lake Area Project Problem Statement, Mission, Objectives, and Schedule March 1, 1997 Problem Statement Richfield cannot continue to be a great place to live, work, and do business if it does not provide residents with modern housing, shops, businesses, and recreational opportunities. Keeping neighborhoods vital will mean planning ahead to avoid .declining property values, disinvestment and deterioration. The Richfield Lake area faces highway plans that initially threatened a net loss of housing. Richfield recognizes the need to not only retain residents but also provide more housing and a greater variety of housing to meet residents' needs. Investment in commercial/retail property along Lyndale has stagnated, discouraging reinvestment in adjacent residential properties. The Richfield Lake neighborhood features community gateways but there. is little visible evidence of strong, immediate investment as you enter the community through them. Finally, the existing Richfield Lake trails, park and recreational opportunities have not offered residents the full enjoyment of the lake. • The Mission To make the Richfield Lake area, and as a result the community as a whole, an even better place to live, work, and do business by more and varied housing opportunities, upgrading commercial/retail properties, and providing fuller enjoyment of Richfield .Lake. Objectives • Proactively work with MnDOT on its Interstate-35W improvement project, ensuring that Richfield does not suffer a net loss in housing and the project is compatible with the community. • Take advantage of opportunities to provide more and varied housing in the Richfield Lake area to continue to retain current residents and compete with developing suburbs to attract new residents. • Use redevelopment to provide new commercial investment and upgrade commercial/retail uses in the area. • Take advantage of the aesthetic and recreational opportunities provided by Richfield Lake, making it a place where residents enjoy spending their free time. • Solve existing .neighborhood cut=through traffic problems. Improve transit opportunities. • Improve the appearance of the community's gateways and the distinction between Richfield and Minneapolis at the city line to reflect the pride residents have in their neighborhood and community. • Involve the community in the planning process, generating ideas, feedback and review, ensuring that the process results in a plan that has grown out of a high level of community participation. • Realize the kind of redevelopment success on this project that Richfield has experienced elsewhere in the community. Tentative Project Schedule (Note: Following the February 18, 1997 information meeting and the March 1, 1997 Visioning Session, the project schedule was expanded and clarified on a separate attachment.) (H:CdADmin:RLAP:Probstat] • Richfield Lake February 18 Public Information Meeting Follow-up Questions and Answers March 1,1997 Questions asked at the February 18 information meeting generally fell into six areas. What follows is a Q & A with more information in each of those areas to address questions and concerns raised at the meeting. Explain the MnDOT stormwater ponding project? What is the current status of the project? Why does land have to be acquired? To enhance freeway safety, MnDOT is rebuilding the Crosstown Commons and will be. building ramps from Interstate 35W to Crosstown 62. This will result in the need fora stormwater storage pond to handle increased stormwater runoff from the freeway. In addition to five Richfield homes that will be lost in the project, MnDOT proposed the pond be sited where the 90-unit apartment exists at 6300 Dupont. The City opposed that plan because of the net loss of housing. The City has told MnDOT that the storage pond site needed to be in anon-residential area adjacent to the lake. The site should provide the space needed to-hold the increased stormwater and act as part of a natural filtration process. The size of the remaining. site after stormwater improvements gives the City an opportunity to develop additional housing. The City has told MnDOT that a filtration system must be developed in conjunction with the stormwater storage pond, resulting in water quality much cleaner than Richfield Lake is today. Since Richfield Lake water flows into Wood Lake, both bodies of water would benefit. In addition to cleaner water, the City hopes improved water quality will increase the diversity of wildlife at Richfield Lake. Richfield engineering staff, Wood Lake staff and a hydrology consultant are working on the best way to design the system. The City is the water management organization for the lake and will be working with all. appropriate local, state and federal environmental agencies on the project. The stormwater plan could include a modest deepening of the lake to rejuvenate it, slightly altering its footprint and adding the stormwater/filtration pond, but should not impact the trails around it. The stormwater plan will be presented to the City Council for its review on March 24, 1997. What is happening with Lyndale Garden Center? City officials have had initial conversations with Lyndale Garden Center about their current property. If the Lyndale Garden center site is acquired, then it would be a top 'priority of the City to relocate Lyndale Garden Center within the community, ideally in the Richfield Lake area. Lyndale Garden Center will need to be relocated in a spot that is accessible to the public and. makes good business sense. What is the Martinson study? How does it relate to the City's current Richfield Lake Area planning process? When the City needed to find ways to make the MnDOT project more compatible with the community it brought in consultant planner Tom Martinson. Martinson met with the City Council, Housing and Redevelopment Authority and the Planning Commission. Martinson made some specific recommendations about highway issues such as noise walls and gateways, but he also shared his conceptual ideas for the Richfield Lake area. Martinson introduced interesting concepts for the area that are examples of the types of uses that could be considered in a community plan. Martinson has been invited to the March 1 workshop to present his ideas and trigger thinking about a vision for the Richfield Lake area and its role in the larger community. Any plan that is developed in the coming months for the Richfield Lake area will reflect the community's vision for the area. How would the City plan to impact recreational, water and wildlife issues on Richfield Lake? The only plans that exist right now are those being developed to deal with stormwater and improve water quality in the lake. Improved water quality will mean enhanced wildlife diversity. There are currently no plans to impact recreational opportunities at the lake. The stonnwater management plans are not expected to impact the trails around Richfield Lake. How would Richfield pay for any improvements made in the Richfield Lake Area? As is the case with all redevelopment projects approved by the Richfield Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), Richfield Lake redevelopment proposals would have to examined thoroughly for financial feasibility. The HRA can plan for redevelopment in a given area, but developers will only approach the HRA to invest in a development that makes sound business sense. The City's costs in redevelopment projects are limited to things such as purchase of property, environmental clean-up or provision of streets, sewers or utilities. These are paid for through a portion of the new, additional taxes generated by the new development. As the community develops their ideas for the Richfield Lake area, financial analysis will be completed to ensure the plans make sense. Projects pursued by the HRA serve to strengthen, not diminish the City's tax base. They also serve to increase the amount and variety of housing choices in Richfield and upgrade commercial/retail areas so adjacent homeowners continue to reinvest in their homes. Without that, Richfield could not continue to be a good place to live, work and do business. What if the community decides to do nothing in the Richfield Lake area? Change will happen in the Richfield Lake area regardless of what action the community takes. MnDOT will pursue its highway plans in the Crosstown area, resulting in some loss of housing and more stormwater runoff in the lake. Commercial property is currently losing value in the Richfield Lake area. This may eventually result in loss of value for nearby residential property. Declining values may make the area less desirable. If you have additional questions or would like more information, contact planning consultant Fred Hoisington, 835-9960. H;\CDADMIN\RLAP\03 O 1 PIM.DOC • Your City, February 1997: ~ Ritiifi~~~T ~Ait£ t~B.K The City of Richfield is exploring opportunities to redevelop the Richfield Lake area to provide more market-rate housing, more retail and community recreational opportuni- ties. The following Q & A summa- rizes the current information about the redevelopment discussions. Q: I understand the City has begun to discuss Richfield Lake area redevelop- mentopportunities as a result of a MnDOT project on I-35W. Is that true? A: Yes. MnDOT's plan to make the freeway safer by eliminating the I- 35W and Crosstown Highway 62 commons area will result in the need for increased storm water storage. Originally, MnDOT was interested in acquiring the 90-unit apartment community at 6300 Dupont Avenue as the site for the new storm water pond. Richfield officials opposed the plan because it would eliminate more City housing. Instead, Richfield officials proposed that MnDOT should use its funding to increase storm water storage capacity at anon-residential location next to Richfield Lake.' As a result, MnDOT and the City are now looking at the potential of acquiring and relocating the Lyndale Garden Center to accommodate the addi- tional storm water storage needs. Q: What has that got to do with Richfield Lake redevelopment? Commission, Housing and Redevel- opment Authority (HRA), City Council and Community Services Commission have identified Richfield Lake as an ideal area~to increase the quantity and variety of housing offered in the community. In addi- tion, the area could provide opportu- nities to add new retail and park/ trail enhancements for the entire community. Q: Is there a plan for redeveloping the area? A: No, Richfield officials have not approved a redevelopment plan. However, working sessions last summer of the Planning-Commission, HRA, City Council and a planning consultant, generated a number of ideas. These ideas include providing more choices for seniors, empty- nesters, young professionals and others with new housing that in- cludes. town homes and market-rate rentals. The entire community could take advantage of retail conveniently located in the Richfield Lake area. Trail and park enhancements could transform a neighborhood asset into something enjoyed by the whole community. The City is continuing to work with planning and develop- ment consultants to look at opportu- nities for the area. Q: What happens if the City doesn't redevelop the area? housing and businesses. Because Richfield no longer has open and undeveloped land, redevelop- ment is an important part of keeping Richfield healthy and vital. Providing new housing is especially important to Richfield in light of the growing interest in Richfield as a residential community by young families. If redevelopment is not pursued in the Richfield Lake area, the Community loses a valuable opportunity to achieve its goals and make Richfield a better place to live. Q: How can I get involved? A: Community meetings will be held beginning in February to get ideas and feedback on redevelopment of the Richfield area. A community- wide public information meeting will be held February 18, at 7 p.m., at St. Peter's Church, 6730 Nicollet Avenue. City officials, community and neigh- borhood leaders will meet in March with a planning consultant to help develop. a vision for the area. Plans developed as a result of all the community input will be presented for feedback at neighborhood and community meetings sometime in May. The City would tentatively prepare an amendment of its compre- hensive plan at that time to corre- spond with any recommended changes in land use. A. The MnDOT project has triggered larger discussions about the impor- tance of land around Richfield Lake to the community. The area is at the center of the City, has great transpor- '~tation access and has scenic and recreational benefits. The Planning A: The redevelopment of the Richfield Lake area is part of an overall strategy to keep Richfield a good place to live, work and do business. To be able to compete with developing suburbs, Richfield needs to attract and retain residents by providing new, contemporary There will be information updates throughout the process in Your City, the Richfield Sun Current and through direct mailings. If you have questions, please contact Richfield Planning Consultant o Fred Hoisington p at 835-9960. ~ .4. . r Richfield Lake Area. Planning Analysis • Tom Martinson City Planning & Economic Development Gary Lampman Landscape Architect • June, 1996 • Richfield Lake Area Planning Analysis SCOPE OF DISCOVERY This analysis is precipitated by upcoming MNDot improvements to I-35W and Crosstown Highway 62. These improvements were programmed by MNDot to .effectively require the removal of up to 90 apartment units and three single-family houses. The City of Richfield has concluded that the apartments can be preserved if stormwater retention is accommodated in Richfield Lake. Doing so would simplify this project element for MNDot, by eliminating expensive and time-consuming acquisition of the apartments and relocation of their tenants. However, both this specific [stormwater- retention] element and the overall highway operations impact the adjacent community. This study reflects the needs to determine relevant impacts and to devise comprehensive responses that are supportive of municipal goals. It should be stressed that this study is conceptual. The intents here are to [aJ .identify important issues; [b] establish a general planning context; and [c] identify promising approaches to solutions. The goal is simply to spark the imaginations of people. ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES 1. Community and Neighborhood Issues Population Depletion Demographics and Market changes Freeway Impacts Private Disinvestment Lack of Discernible Transit Center ~Eutrophication of Lakes aPost Office Among the planning issues most important to Richfield are the seven listed on the previous page. All seven aze prominent within the specific Richfield Lake study azea. Population Depletion-Richfield. is a center of regional activity. As such, it is impacted by the functional requirements of three highways, the airport and large-scale commercial developments. In accommodating these regional systems, Richfield has experienced a significant loss of population. Because of this, it is essential that (1) future residential acquisition be minimized; and (2) responses include an increase in housing stock. Demographic and Market Changes-The need for additional housing is more than just a matter of more units. Changes in demographics. and mazket preferences will call for a new mix of housing types. This will include housing for empty-nesters, as well as for new families with children. Many of the community's 1960s-era apartments, while currently well-maintained, no longer fully-satisfy contemporary rental-market expectations. Such buildings must increasingly compete .for tenants primarily. on the basis of low rental costs. This results in less economic return, and thus less funds available for maintenance and improvements. Eventually these properties fall victim to a downwazd spiral of deferred maintenance and tenant resistance and require replacement. Freeway Impacts-The need to mitigate freeway impacts is universally recognized. As a practical matter today, a mitigation package should include de facto replacements for acquired housing units and loss of municipal revenue base. A major additional concern azound Richfield Lake is the performance and appearance of sound walls. Highways should also make a positive visual contribution to the adjacent community. Within the context of this study, this would prescribe special landscape attention to the highway- community gateways at 66~' and I-35W, and Lyndale and Crosstown Highway 62. Private Disinvestment-Every municipality relies on private investment. City-wide, the City of Richfield has been very successful in leveraging private investment. However, parts of the study area directly adjacent to the highways have shown very little recent evidence of reinvestment; this includes no appazent spin-off even from new Richfield Rediscovered housing. This situation usually means that the "security threshold" must be raised to compensate for negatives-in this case, the adjacent freeways. Typically, a municipality responds to such a circumstance by (1) affirming the long-term land uses- .removing any municipal uncertainty about what will happen in the neighborhood; (2) revisiting chronic issues (like highway noise); and. (3) providing additional economic incentives on anarrowly-targeted basis. 2 Lack of Discernible Transit Center-The;City's LHN comdor along 66`~ Street appeazs to be attracting increased numbers of bus riders. These patronize the Minneapolis- - downtown routes which run along Nicollet. Some of these routes loop over to Lyndale and return to Nicollet along 66`~ Street. As metropolitan development patterns continue to evolve, these particular bus routes may be superseded in importance by other local and regional routes. It is in Richfield's interest to encourage transit ridership to any and all destinations. While the Richfield Lake study azea is on the periphery of this route, present and possible future transit routes may be accommodated in future changes. Doing so may render the overall. area more cohesive, in symbol and in fact. Eutrophication of Lakes-Small lakes like Richfield Lake are especially subject to evolution into seasonal swamplands. This is the consequence of a too-rich composition of. nutrients and a resulting reduction in dissolved oxygen; eventually wildlife and the lake itself disappeaz. Eutrophication is well-underway at Richfield Lake. This process can be reversed through a mix of actions, including water treatment and aeration. Post Office-The Richfield Post Office site has problems with pazking and traffic patterns. Expanding the site (or relocating the facility to another site) would provide a more functional, long-term solution to the current congestion. 2. Opportunities ~"Downtown "-Create a Sense of Place Visually Tie the Area Together aRecover Biological Quality of Lake Augment Recreational Diversity Enhance Mix of Housing Stock Increase Population ~VFR' A number of opportunities for improvement also exist. Among the most important to consider are the seven listed above. "Downtown "-Create a Sense of Place-The area azound 66~' and Lyndale is developing a sense of place, but is not yet quite there. As in any built azea, the ultimate goal is to 3 achieve a totality that is much more than the sum of the individual parts. The basic program-retail, entertainment, housing, recreation-is mostly in place; what remains to be done is the orchestrating of everything into a distinct environment. Visually Tie the Area Together-One corollary objective of creating a sense of place is to visually tie the azea together. The conventional local-Metropolitan azea-approach to attaining visual ties has been to devise some kind of an overall district scheme utilizing street furniture. Traditionally, great cities realize their characteristic visual cohesiveness through a mix of several approaches. These are usually based primarily upon several important design elements: 1. The relationships between buildings and their adjacent spaces 2. Employment of a regional landscape vocabulary 3. Subtle highlighting of visual differences among sub-districts, within a generalized district framework 4. A dynamic but also harmonious palette of materials and textures S. Introduction of a sense of surprise and delight. Recover Biological Quality ofLake--Reversing the Eutrophication of Richfield Lake will permit a wider range of human activities to take place in and around the lake. Upgraded water quality will also enhance the lake's capacity as a wildlife habitat. Augment Recreational Diversity-At present, the recreational use of Richfield Lake is lazgely typified by short-distance walkers who may not wish to utilize the longer trail at Wood Lake. A small play structure on the northwest shore of the lake is effectively for the use of neighborhood children. The opportunity exists to augment the current rather limited choice of activities. A range of potential new uses and facilities exists, from rest pavilions for walkers to a sand beach on a "recovered" .lake. Enhance Mix of Housing Stock-A number of housing activities could be useful in this area. These include (1) spot renewal offunctionally-obsolete dwellings; (2) continued development of new single-family housing through Richfield Rediscovered; (3) development of town housing for empty-nesters; (4) replacement of existing market- obsolete apartments; (5) additional new mid-rise housing; (6) introduction of "design- integrated" mixed use housing. Increase Population-Planned redevelopment of this azea provides the opportunity to not only enhance housing choice, .but to increase population as well. This can occur in three ways. First, additional mid-rise housing can be built on commercial sites. Second, existing. mazket-obsolete apartment buildings can be replaced by more efficient design configurations that provide for an increase in units. And third, rehabilitated and new 4 single-family dwellings that attract families with children will increase the per-unit population ratio. VFW-The VFW property overlooking. Wood Lake may become available for new development at some time in the foreseeable future. Especially if combined with adjacent parcels, this could be an excellent. site for -new housing EXISTING CONDITIONS 3. Features Richfield Lake ~An Emerging "Downtown" r!'he Highways ~Lyndale Entry Post Office Corner Several prominent "features" characterize the study area. Some of these are positive resources; others are negative elements that need to be overcome. Richfield Lake-This feature is already enjoyed by many, and has great additional recreational and visual potential. Only a part of the lake-mostly the northwest one- quarter of its periphery-can be experienced by the public without actually walking the trail. Much of the rest of the Lakeshore is faced by single-family housing and apartments. However, about one-quarter of the frontage is faced by surface parking and commercial growing ranges. An Emerging "Downtown "-The intersection of 66~' and L;yndale is emerging as a community focus, as "downtown." As noted in the preceding section, a very full range of commercial goods and services is already available within a block or two of this comer. What primarily remains to be achieved is the elusive "sense of place." • The Highways-Three negative elements of the adjacent highways are especially prominent features. First, the appearance and performance of the sound wa1L• this is frankly unattractive, and pierced by openings which allow highway noise directly into residential neighborhoods. Second, the design quality of the I-35W-66`~ Street landscaping is ordinary at best, and only passably maintained. Third, the Crosstown-Lyndale off-on ramp yields even less thoughtful landscape design: no apparent landscape scheme, control boxes placed randomly and prominently, sagging chain link sections, semaphores badly in need of paint [see above photo, previous page]. Lyndale Entry-This important entrance [photo above] into Richfield from the Crosstown Highway is also visually bleak. The 6200 block presents motorists and pedestrians alike with a broad expanse of concrete and asphalt. It is not just that this is unappealing to view, but that on a-perhaps the-main entry into Richfield, this image of the community is so different from the overall reality of trees, pazks and lakes. Post Off ce Corner-It might be azgued that this is Richfield's foremost civic site: everyone uses the post office, which is located between "downtown" and an important community open space. Visually, this is potentially a spectacular location, with a possible direct view onto Richfield Lake . At present this "window" onto the lake is often blocked by parked cazs, and further diffused by seasonal vegetation, which obstruct the lake view for those walking or driving past. In the current state, a site design is needed to define and enhance the landscape. Two other aspects of the Post Office Corner can be profitably addressed. One is the need for parking. The second is the functional. and visual desirability of establishing a more graceful roadway curve at the corner. 4. Conditions Visual Physical Functional Environmental Economic The area around Richfield Lake is generally in good condition. There are no .intractable or insurmountable problems, and promising solutions aze available for all major issues and opportunities. 6 Visual Conditions- . As noted earlier,'tlus'area has not sense of place. On a larger scale little sense that lichfield is a dis ' quite yet developed a perceptible as one approaches along Lyndale from the north, . small scale, the area could benefit fromlaCe' different from adjacent co there is literally through an ex ~'eateyf ys emof "interconnee edness s. At a ps panded pedestrian/pathwa s "perha Physical Conditions-Most structures in the stud better. South of 66`~ Street, a lar e Y area appear to be in good condition or average or excellent physical condition Probablyeless th ~ctures appear to be in above- might be expected to require eventual removal an a dozen sin le f physical condition. -over the next decade g amity houses because of Functional Conditions- city experienced explosiveike any comn1U~tY~ ~chfeld is aproduct of its histo of the city are ~°~ immediately after World War II rY The 50 year-old houses Alsecond ma a Of 40 to _ ~ ~d today tar e g parts of development, in the late I950s or wave -~ ~-~--<~-.,-: early 1970s, resulted in d ~'°ugh '~ ubiquitous " lain v „°zens of the P anilla walkup apartments like the one on the right. The vast majority of all of these structures remain in remarkably good states of maintenance. Still, these unavoidably become functionally- obsolescent as demographics and market preferences change over the years. Within the stud obsolescence area y area, these two fo Emerson Avenue nP°P~'ent: in small, post-war sin le-f rms of potential functional rth of 66`~ Street• g ~ilY houses, for example, along enfront the lake. An ~ and in walkup ap~xnents, six of which directly all of these buildings over thoe course of thl need to accommodate a tr e next decade. ansition of some or Environmental Conditions overwhelmin 1 -On a general basis environmental conditions are excelle g Y, both private and municipal properties are well-main ' horticulture, the residential. areas are generally better 1 nt. center, which is comparativel s tamed. In terms of almost so) alon y Parsely landscaped, go~eV~,d ~ S the commercial g most residential blocks. Some residential blocks and some nplete (or residential locations would benefit from infill street tree 1 scheme. on P antings, or from a new planting Economic Conditions- . The area s economic stren th h numerous major private investments over the g ~ been demonstrated by to continue successfully levera in past two decades. focused on g g Private investment throe The City should be able Richfield Lake. Over the next decade, the Ci gh an elihanCement program redevelop some single-famil tY will probabl ~f the walku a Y properties, and participate in the repiacem need to P partments enfronting Richfield Lake, ent of some or all 7 PRINCIPLES Three types of improvements will be undertaken around Richfield Lake. One will be private development, for example, additional housing or retail space. A second kind of improvement will be "hidden" infrastructure such as wiring and tunnels. A third kind of improvement could be thought of as enhancements: these include work on open space, public facilities and visible infrastructure like sound walls. It is enhancements which largely determine the image of a given built azea. When undertaking enhancements, several general principles aze useful to consider: 1. Clarity of Intent-Be absolutely clear about the purpose of and proposed solutions for any enhancement. As an example, consider the subject of street or boulevazd trees. The purpose of such plantings is to present avisually-harmonious public frontage. That said, it is also necessary to establish just how this is to be accomplished. If a streetfront is lined in the traditional "boulevazd" pattern, infill planting is necessary to close any gaps in the sequence. However, is visual harmony really achieved if the replacement is a sapling set among mature trees? If different species aze interplanted for reasons of biodiversity, will they support. or detract from the. uniformity of the initial planting scheme? If a mix of species is to be used, as has been done successfully along Lyndale, the concept of such plantings is very different from the uniform linearity of traditional patterns. These plantings should appear to be obviously and purposely distinct from the boulevard approach. In specific conditions where larger gaps occur, the enhancement should very clearly be one or the other. 2. Quality or Quantity?-Why are so few cities distinctive and memorable? At least in part, it is because so few of their enhancements aze memorable. In terms of effectiveness, it is false economy to undertake mediocre improvements on the assumption that these are somehow less expensive-this is not necessarily so-and thus citizens can get "more for their money." As an example, consider fountains. Minneapolis has a surprising number of fountains, and yet few people associate the city with fountains. Chicago has Buckingham Fountain, which has long been an international symbol for that city. Why? Because a great deal of thought was given to Buckingham Fountain: it was given a prominent location, it looks like a "fountain" (like Versailles, at right) has lots of splashing water, is beautifully-lit at night, and its lighting is programmed: half of each hour in shifting colors-in short, Buckingham Fountain is an attraction. Quality always requires thoughtfulness and skill; not always does it require more money. Many enhancements can be imagined around Richfield Lake: here just one superior enhancement will. have an impact, far - surpassing that of several less-thoughtful enhancements. 3 Eve thing is Designed-It is an understandable fallacy, but a fallacy nonetheless, that only some aspects of our environments aze designed objects. Yet everything visible has an impact: not to design is also to design. This becomes a truism when one thinks, for example, of beautiful landscaping that is visually-compromised by power poles or some other "utilitazian" structures. Within the study azea, the seemingly randomly-placed control boxes at freeway exits/entries aze more prominent than the landscaping itself, especially in winter. This notion that everything is designed is both "positive" and "negative." On one hand, it is an essential principle to understand if a city is to prevent the compromise of enhancements by utilitarian elements. But on the other hand,. a utilitarian element, thoughtfully considered, may very well become an enhancement in an of itself. 4. The Power of Landscape-In many cities, an enhancements program is focused on the introduction of street furniture and constructed settings like walls and pavers. These "urban design" programs aze razely very successful in and of themselves. First of all, such approaches are all too easy to apply, superficially, to the cityscape without dealing comprehensively with the overall environment. Also, even district-wide improvements are typically commissioned of a single firm, or even a single designer. Since successful urban environments are built up incrementally over time by many contributors, this urban design approach is more likely to come off as artificial than authentic. And for reasons of sheer scale, the cost of street furniture and hazd settings like plazas is very high. In contrast, enhancements programs focused on "`''~`~ '- `°''' _-~ ~ - ~-,~ ~. 3. landscape improvements, like ' this bike path under a bridge, can be compazatively effective. First of all, the landscape designer must deal with the overall environment, and thus is more likely to achieve a visually-consistent solution. Second, a variety of plant materials will soften the sense of one-designer-at-one-time. And even mature landscape specimens aze compazatively inexpensive. So the most effective approach is one emphasizing landscape with the supplemental employment of urban design elements. 9 S. Don't Rely on the Big Statement-Some cities try to visually transform themselves solely through architecture. This is razely an efficient strategy. Sometimes architecture becomes a symbol of a city, but this is almost always different from creating a true sense of place. Great cities of all sizes aze the products of countless small-but thoughtful and creative-improvements. Excellent azchitecture may be part of this mix, though not necessarily: Florence with extraordinary architecture throughout, and Siena [plan above], with only two great landmarks, aze both distinct and memorable places. 6. Economy is a Virtue-This would seem self-evident, especially in the context of public improvements. But in a surprising number of situations, needlessly expensive treatments are undertaken as enhancements. For example, brick laid in highway dividers when colored concrete would be as visually effective, easier to maintain, and much less expensive. In many cases, merely making thoughtful decisions results in a better product. An example is in the choice of color: a stazk white and a warm rose might cost exactly the same in a given material selection, but the warm color would almost always be more welcoming-and thus be more valued-in a cold climate like Minnesota's. COMPLETENESS Designs-whether buildings, landscapes, or city plans-aze made up of several aspects. For example a building is characterized by its shape, height, roof profile, imagery, color, texture, openings, and details. A city can be (physically) chazacterized by its skyline, imagery densities, land uses, open spaces, institutions and festivals. Ideally the design of a building (or even a city) addresses each and every one of these aspects in a balanced manner. If the designer or planners have done so, the design will almost certainly be successful: it will be complete. 10 Conversely, many designers, perhaps: unconsciously, tend to focus primarily on specific aspects. For example, an azchitect might design an elaborate rooftop while devoting very little thought to ground floor pedestrian spaces. A design which heavily emphasizes some aspects at the expense of others is not likely to be successful: it will be incomplete. Enhancements to the azea azound Richfield Lake will need to address four aspects. These can be thought of as Levels of Attention or as Layers. These four are (1) Concept; (2) Environments; (3) Events; and (4) Texture. If improvements in this azea aze to be successful, if a sense of place is to be achieved, then each of these layers must be addressed, and the emphasis on each must be roughly in balance with the emphasis placed on the others. 1. Concept-An overall planning/design concept is necessary to define and direct a plan. What is the big idea, the governing concept? Is the lake to become a true focus? If so, are the views to be mostly hidden, as .now, or more open? Will the uses remain limited, as at present, or become more diverse? What will be the visual and functional relationships among Richfield Lake, the various residential areas, "Downtown" and Wood Lake? It is essential to have clarity about this, so that all other aspects-levels-have a sense of consistency, in reference. to the concept. An example of this is a reservoir at Pampulha Pazk in Belo Horizonte, Brazil [see partial plan on map, below]: Here an existing stream was dammed, to make a lake. Since it was a small lake, the concept was to twist the shoreline so that at no one place could an observer see all of the lake-thus the lake became perceptually much larger than it actually was. environments has its own physical character and potential, adding visual richness and 11 2. Environments-Within the context of the overall concept, subtle but distinct physical environments should be developed. These will provide a basis for the visual diversity that is critical to establishing a sense of place. To continue the example with the lake above, the "twisted" shoreline was further contoured into points. and bays. Each of these depth to the azea. This also supports the overall concept by further attracting the viewer's attention away from the smallness of the reservoir. 3. Events-In this context, "events" are prominent designed objects that occur within the environments. They may be buildings, pavilions, footbridges, gardens or even topiary. Events provide further visual orientation and scale within the. environments. In Pampulha Park a casino was placed on one point and a chapel was located . within one of the deep bays. Other Pampulha Park events included a marina, lakeside restaurant and a zoo. Each of these visually energized its locale. We often think of such objects as something to observe, to see and enjoy from afaz: as an example, the romantic follies of 18`'' C. English private parks. Similaz events are also found throughout the U.S., such as the sham ruins and colored gazebos of Tower Grove Pazk in St. Louis: While these objects delight visitors, as an ideal, some if not all events should be usable by the public. For example, in the resort community of Seaside on Florida's Panhandle, each street terminates at a beach-front pavilion/gazebo, such as the one here [photo above] While. each of these pavilions is visually distinctive and picturesque, they are also heavily-used. 4. Texture-Textures provide localized visual interest. In typical urban design plans, surfaces aze often elaborately textured, or even paved in stone. This is an expensive approach; only razely, as in the famous "waves" on the beach walkways of Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, are these truly memorable. The most cost-effective approach to textures is intermittent planting. Often, effective texture is simple and inexpensive, as in this sidewalk planting in the rural Philippines [photo left]. A number of relatively economical surface and under-story planting approaches aze available to supply texture throughout the Richfield Lake study area. 12 • A RANGE OF CHOICES Several planning approaches to the Richfield Lake study area are plausible. These range from simply accommodating new freeway construction-and nothing more-to undertaking a broad physical transformation of the azea. Many significant changes can be made surprisingly easily: as noted on p. 4, this is an azea with most of the pieces already in place. What remains to be done is lazgely a matter of orchestrating the existing context into a distinct visual environment. As an example, the current path [photo at right]. along the south shoreline can be just slightly upgraded from its present wild state. By selective pruning, the introduction of a few specimen trees and construction of a small shelter [drawing, below], a visual transformation is achieved. 13 Richfield Lake Area Planning Analysis RECOMMENDATIONS Four plausible scenarios were considered. These aze: 1. Do Nothing 2. Baseline Improvements 3. Comprehensive Inftll 4. Sweeping Transformation 1. Do Nothing-The City could simply review and approve the contemplated highway improvements. Other than public works coordination, there would be no city-initiated activities undertaken. On the plus side, this would entail-initially, at least-few changes to the status quo. It is possible that residents adjacent to the highways could insist that the City negotiate specific mitigations with MNDot, but any such municipal actions would be purely reactive. On the minus side, by doing nothing, the City would miss a great opportunity to leverage community improvements from the highway work. Moreover doing nothing would almost certainly lead to a noticeable overall decline in the azea's physical conditions, and in private reinvestment .within the next several years. In any municipality, as conditions worsen arithmetically, the cost of dealing with them rises geometrically. 2. Baseline Improvements-The City could undertake a minimum of improvements, leveraged from the highway construction. Community upgrading would include active treatment of Richfield Lake to improve water quality, developing a swimming beach, redevelopment of a prime site on the eastern shore of the lake, creating several new lots for single-family housing, and increasing parking neaz the Post Office,. Basic highway- related upgrading would include enhanced landscaping at both the Lyndale and the 66`~ Street "gateways"-street-highway intersections-and a rebuilt sound wall of a better level of design than the existing wall. On the plus side, this scenario accomplishes much- needed improvements and may provide enough of a symbol to leverage some ancillary private reinvestment. On the minus side the City would have to engage the faz ranging processes of redevelopment to accomplish what is a comparatively minimal result. Moreover, the changes would not be enough to finally achieve the."sense ofplace" potential of this area. 3. Comprehensive Infill-The third scenario builds from baseline improvements in several respects. First, the lake would be enhanced as both a natural and visual environment, including uses that would attract a wider range of the community than at 14 present. This scenario deals with structural housing issues such as function; market and development economics. Anticipated transitions of several parcels would be specifically . guided and possibly leveraged in this scenario, and functional problems at 65~' Street and Rae Drive would be diminished. This scenario would add substantially to the azea's housing inventory, both in raw units and in the mix of housing types. Also, landscaping and urban enhancements would be employed systematically throughout the area: this would provide an underlying and distinct visual framework for the azea. On the plus side, this scenario deals with the important planning issues and opportunities facing the study azea, including achieving a sense of place. On the minus side this is a more ambitious undertaking than the baseline .improvements. However, these improvements aze interrelated but still independent of each other. So an inability to do some elements of this scenario would not foreclose the possibility of accomplishing all others. 4. Sweeping Transformation-This scenario differs from the comprehensive infill in two respects. First, it contemplates addressing every possible area issue and opportunity, not just the most prominent ones. This would imply, for example, housing redevelopment undertaken not just on the bases of functionality and condition but also on esthetics.. Second, it would require overriding mazkets in-some instances to accomplish everything in a single phase, rather than relying on mazket forces to accomplish the programs over several years. On the plus side accomplishing such a transformation would be a truly striking achievement, with a likely spillover influence not just within the study azea but throughout Richfield. On the minus side, it would cause general disruption and be extremely costly: almost certainly uneconomic absent acurrently-unidentified and very large source of auxiliary funding. After consideration, the first and fourth scenarios were dropped as unrealistic. The second and third scenarios have each been developed to a conceptual level to provide comparisons. However, scenario three, Comprehensive Infill, appears to be the better technical choice. Thus this analysis recommends Comprehensive Infill as the most promising approach for detailed planning. WORK PROGRAMS Conceptual recommendations are organized within a framework of 15 sub-districts. These planning areas encompass the work programs of both scenarios. The sub-districts comprise about two-thirds of the overall study azea; the remaining one-thud, chiefly south of 66`h Street, is in an excellent state. The actual elements of each work program are organized in the following table. These are simply listings, and intended to (a) identify the elements, and (b) to provide a comparison between the two scenarios. The sub-districts are identified and located on the map, following page: 15 SUB-DISTRICTS MAP .. . ...~_ . .. ~_, -;,,~ - - -- E~ Lyndale-_GaLeixa3~= --~ idl ^ ' B d ~ A ; - i _ esi ~ ~, .~ . tuarth eut _ , . - ~-- ~, . ~m - .' - - _Z, - q ~ _ ~- -_ .-,~ .-~?Ves`t~R~den~al "~ ,~ ""~~"" ' G ~ _- .... _.- -t "~ _ ~ ~ ~ , .~ / ... aL~.+ ~ D Lysdale ~4~~sac~- ~F om _ L .~ `'I+MC .. ~ ~~i~- . _ -. .. .t - •, ~ - • ~ ~ ~ _ _ Z t_L _ 1. , .. - ~ T ` ~` Via/ ._\ i_- t] - - i ,1. ~~ -- 1 A.-~tichfield.,Lake dark , _ ~ -- s ~~' - , ~ ~; ., ,~ ~ -- ~~, ' j~ L 65t~St~ , ~ ._ ~~. . '- i ~ cr ~ ~ ~, t , t . ,\ _ ; 4~ f• ~ , M. TIItI!sCrt y -, :d. Crossroads ~ ~,;~ •~ - _..° .._ _. ~.,~'; - ~.• ~ ~ ~1 Triangle Site ~, -I.66th St Gateway - ; - ~ J ~ _ _ ` ~ ~,;: Mn. .. area 1'L~3nnt~~~; r- ...' '.. ~,. ~--.---- _-.: _..- -.-. 16 COMPARATIVE .ENHANCEMENTS ,_ Sub-District Baseline Improvements Comprehensive Infill ^Improve water quality Improve water quality A. Richfield Lake Park ^Sandy beach dandy beach rl'hree environments: Natural, Meadow and Picturesque Rest pavilion Bridge to island Grotto jaeration~ ~Fountainjaerationj ' Net area or greater of existing District--wide pathway system Richfield Lake parcel Play area landscaping ^Single-family lots Single family lots B. Prime Development ^ Mildred Dr. extension to Mildred Dr. boulevard Slte Lyndale Avenue extension to Lyndale Avenue ^parking lot Parking ^New apartments New apartments Food component ~"Boardwalk" Lyndale Gardens site ^Expected to face decreased ~CSecond phase of prime site C. Transition Site economic return, competition apartment redevelopment; for tenants; problematic integrated design Walkup apartments private redevelopment ^No activity Landscaping D. Lyndale Approach Both sides of street 62nd 64th ^Candy-paint semaphores ^C'andy paint semaphores E. Lyndale Gateway ^Relocate control boxes Relocate control boxes ^New fencing/scheme New fencing/scheme Crosstown On-Off Ramps ^New landscape design New landscape design ^Maintenance plan Maintenance plan ^Sound Wall landscaping tSound Wall landscaping F. North Residential ^Mildred S.F. residential Mildred S.F. residential ~S F. residential infill Aldrich-Dupont below Hwy 62 Boulevard infill planting ^Sound Wall landscaping ~.S'ound Wall landscaping G. West Residential Complete park edge aCompletepark edge ^Spot renewal, south block Housing redevelopment, south ^" 2 for 3" S.F. north block block tS F. redevelopment, north Emerson Ave. north of 66th St. block West Emerson Avg alignment ^Poured concrete Poured concrete H. Sound Walls ~ ^Traditional design formulas rI'raditional design formulas ^Integrallandscaping ~Integrallandscaping 66th Street to Lyndale Avenue ^Imaginative design ^C ti f l Imaginative design aC i l ve use o rea or co reat ve use of co or 17 ^Candy-paint semaphores ^Candy--paint semaphores I. 66`~ St. Gateway ^Relocate control boxes Relocate control boxes ^New landscape design New landscape design ^Maintenance plan Maintenance plan I-35W On-Off ramps. J. Crossroads 66th St. and Lake Shore Drive K. Post Office Bridgeman's to Wood Lk Vil. L. 65"' Street Rae Drive to Lyndale M. Intersection and 66th Street N. Triangle Site ^No activity ^Public parking deck north of Bridgeman's ^Reconfigured P.O. entry ^Provide "Window" into park ^No activity Acquire and clear SW corner rl'ransition landscape SW & SE corners aCivic signage ~lnter--lake pathway Acquire and clear Bridgeman's and Post Office; relocate Bridgeman's to Boardwalk, P.O. to area service center New apartments on site a6S'"' Street gentle curve at Rae ~I'ownhousing north of Rae Provide "Window" into park Landscaped walkway north side of 65"'` Property landscaping south side of 65'"' ~"Balanced" landscaping on all four corners park-and-ride Commercial frontage ^No activity New apartments O. VFW Site VFW Memorial Garden Existing VFW and 2 S.F. lots GENERAL DESCRIPTION Baseline Improvements Scheme A. Richfield Lake Park Work would continue on improving water quality and habitat. Lake capacity would be increased to accommodate stormwater runoff. This could be accomplished with the least visual impact by increasing the surface area-slightly extending the shoreline outward. As part of this work, a sandy swimming beach could be created on the east side of the lake. B. Prime Development Site The Lyndale Gardens property would be acquired for redevelopment. New single-family homes would be constructed on the extreme north end of this site, between Bryant and Lyndale. 18 These would be served b Parking would be providedarnlnediately oath of hDrive . New apar~ents would be co from Bryant to L nstructed on the remainde~ f the s ee the adjarnnt sa aurface . C. Transition Site Y beach. No improvements/enhancements activi other, similar buildings of this era, these a 's contemplated on this site under this sc economic return. It is unclear w Partments are expected to ex heme• Like privately. Nether these can realistically be expect deco be redereared velo D• Lyndale Approach Ped No enhancements activity is contemplated under E• Lyndale Gateway this scheme. Reconstruction of the uP~'ading of this i Crosstown Highway provides an o can be repainted in ac a ant entrance into Richfield. InitiallPPo~n~~ for a m uch-needed visual Y finish. This is a subtle but effec 1Ve es urrentl ~~ control boxes should be relocated awa Y rusted semaphores thoughtfully located. Y from. prime landsca Ymbolic that is integrally-coordinat d w ~ the n enhancement. qll g (colla sin pe areas, either out of si P g) chain-link fencin !fit or at least landscape design, rather than ems' landsca g should be replaced b merely a 1 Pe plan• Such a plan should follow Y fencing F• NOrtb Residential panting scheme. an actual The neighborhood side of the sound wall landscape plan should be coordinated with existin should be continuously landscaped: the sound wall neighborhood. Existing residential ro be upgraded wherever Planned landscaping in the adjacent P perties facing Richfield of the Possible. New single_ family housin Lake Park Mildred Avenue extension as (aloe Part of the prime develocan be develo g Mildred) should G• West ped immediately north Residential Prnent site improvements. The neighborhood side of the sound landscaping plan should be coordinated with eXj ld be continuous] neighborhood. The western stin Y landscaped; the sound wall family house ' Park edge can be co planned landscaping in the stabilized, at lea tnn the f Wood Lake Villa e, mpleted by acquirin adjacent mid-te g The south block ofE the remaining single- small and/or functional) _ ~~ through a spot renewal merson be developed on lar er lots bSOlescent houses. Program focusin Avenue may be lots. This will levera ~ On the north block, new sin le f °n extremely y creating two new parcels from eve g ~'~l of available housin ge the City s investment in Y housing can g market park improvements Inc ease thecutive) existing reinvestment. h'pes, and provide both the s ymbol and reali mix and choice H. Sound h'ofPrivate Walls Rebuilt highway sound walls should follow this walls.. These are based u retainin Pon both technical observations of X~ane recorn g and sound walls, and traditional desi n a mendations on sound the recommendations observe that sound wall g me~O-area highway Their visual im g Pproaches to building visible walls. General] constructions cannot be SO great that the s are the largest "buildin s„ . Y must be recog g m the com Y, visual im merely considered to be `~ n'zed as desi munity, pacts. utilitarian and thusgnoeaSUbects-these ,lect to review of 19 .. L 66th Street Gateway Like the Lyndale Gateway, this is an important community environment in need of visual upgrading. The basic recommendations for this sub-district are similar to those of the Lyndale Gateway. However, these environments are distinct from each other, their landscape plans should reflect this: their concepts and design solutions will differ. J. Crossroads No enhancements activity is contemplated under this scheme. K. Post Office A single parking deck can be constructed at the rear of Bridgeman's, which would continue to use the upper---deck-portion for its employees and customers. The lower parking level could be used by post office patrons, and by visitors to Richfield Lake Park. This would provide flexibility for the post office to reconfigure its front entrance, and would lessen the existing parking shortage on the block. L. 65th Street The current "wild" vegetation screening the view.onto Richfield Lake would be opened up, and the frontage landscaped in a "natural" landscape imagery. This would provide a more amactive pedestrian entry into the park, and also afford passing motorists a view of the lake. The Bridgeman's/Post Office parking deck would increase capacity so that curbside parking could be eliminated along this stretch of 65th Street. M. Intersection No enhancements activity is contemplated under this scheme. N. Triangle Site No enhancements activity is contemplated under this scheme. O. VFW Site No enhancements activity is contemplated under this scheme. ^ GENERAL DESCRIPTION Comprehensive Infill Scheme This Comprehensive Infill scheme is the recommended conceptual approach. As noted above, it affords two essential benefits that aze absent in the Baseline Improvements scheme. First, this approach achieves a critical mass of enhancements that should result in a distinct visual environment-a sense of place. Second, the scheme squazely addresses foreseeable economic obsolescence in both single-family houses and apartments, a matter only tentatively addressed under Baseline Improvements. These aze the two most critical planning issues to resolve within the Richfield Lake study azea. A. Richfield Lake Park As under the Baseline Improvements scheme, work would continue on improving water quality and habitat. Lake capacity would be increased to accommodate stormwater runoff. This 20 could be accomplished with the least visual impact by increasing the surface azea-slightly extending the shoreline outward. As pari of this work, a sandy beach can be created on the east side of the lake. Conceptually, the park is comprised of three areas, which establish the underlying visual context The first of these is "Natural" in its landscape imagery. This section is located along the south side of the lake. The wildness of the existing vegetation in this area can be pruned and groomed tovisually-differentiate this lake from Wood Lake and Legion Lake. The second area can be thought of as a Meadow. This is the section adjacent to the west and north residential areas, and is characterized by broad open spaces affording views onto the lake. The third area is "Picturesque" in character, more openly "designed" than the other two azeas; it extends along the eastern edge of the lake and is focused on the prime development site. Environments aze established throughout the park. These aze graphically illustrated on the area map. Most prominent of these is anewly-accessible island formed of existing hammocks. This defines a swimming bay adjacent to the beach. The Lakeshore is subtly contoured into several. environments consistent with the surrounding areas. Each of the three areas is also shaped into environments through various landscape devices. Events are set within the environments. A Rest Pavilion (illustrated in a previous section) is located in the Natural area along the south Lakeshore. A Grotto is developed just off the west park entry, in the Meadow azea. This is an existing sloped, rocky glade: a bubbler introduces the sound of cascading water, which is recycled through the lake as part of an aeration process. In the Picturesque area,. a bridge to the island provides one of two major events: this would be most visually-memorable as ahighly-stylized design, such as a Moon-Gate. The other major event is a lakefront fountain, with powerful jets and continuously-variable night lighting. Texture is called for, though not detailed at this conceptual stage. Texture can be (1) introduced as part of an event, such as the existing play area; (2) free-standing, such as the floral plantings indicated on the southeast corner of the pazk; or (3) established along a pathway system that extends out into the community. B. Prime Development Site The Lyndale Gardens property would be acquired for redevelopment. New single-family homes are constructed on the extreme north end of this site, between Bryant. and Lyndale. These are served by a boulevard extension of Mildred Drive from Bryant to Lyndale. Pazking would be provided immediately south of this road to serve the adjacent sandy beach and the Boardwalk, which connects east-of-Lyndale neighborhoods to the lake. Integral with the Boazdwalk is a food component, which will overlook the park. New apartments are constructed on the remainder of the site. C. Transition Site Like others of this era, these apartments can be expected to reach functional-economic obsolescence in the foreseeable future. The recommended long-term reuse of this site is as a second phase of apartments, with designs and site development integrated-or at least coordinated-with the prime development site apartments. D. Lyndale Approach f1'If~T__ ________ _ _____-~ E. Lyndale Gateway Reconstruction of the Crosstown Highway provides an opportunity for amuch-needed visual upgrading of this important entrance into Richfield. Initially, the currently-rusted semaphores can be repainted in a candy finish. This is a subtle but effective "symbolic" enhancement. All control boxes should be relocated away from prime landscape areas, either out of sight or at least thoughtfully located. The existing (collapsing) chain-link fencing should be replaced by fencing that is integrally-coordinated with the new landscape plan. Such a plan should follow an actual landscape design, rather than merely a planting scheme. Along-term maintenance plan should be part of the project. F. North Residential The neighborhood side of the sound wall should be continuously landscaped: the sound wall landscape plan should be coordinated with existing/planned landscaping in the adjacent neighborhood. Existing residential properties facing Richfield Lake Park (along Mildred) should be upgraded wherever possible. New single-family housing can be developed immediately north of the Mildred Avenue boulevard extension. A general program of spot renewal-residential infill can be instituted to counteract chronic freeway impacts. This objective can be further supported by a concurrent boulevard replanting program. G. West Residential The neighborhood side of the sound wall should be continuously landscaped: the sound wall landscaping plan should be coordinated with existing/planned landscaping on the adjacent blocks. The western park edge can be completed by acquiring the remaining single-family house just north of Wood Lake Village. The south block of Emerson Avenue can be redeveloped for new townhousing compatible. with Wood Lake Village. On the north block, new single-family housing can be developed on large lots directly enfronting the park. Both blocks are served by Emerson Avenue realigned directly adjacent to the highway sound wall. These redevelopments will maximize the City's investment in park improvements. H. Sound Walls Rebuilt highway sound walls should follow this study's separate recommendations on sound walls. These are based upon both technical observations of existing metro-area highway retaining and sound walls, and traditional design approaches to building visible walls. Generally, the recommendations observe that sound walls are the largest "buildings" in the community. Their visual impacts are so great that they must be recognized as designed objects these constructions cannot be merely considered to be "utilitarian" and thus not subject to review of their visual impacts. I. 66th Street Gateway Like the Lyndale Gateway, this is an important community environment in need of visual upgrading. The basic recommendations for this sub-district are similar to those of the Lyndale Gateway. However, these environments are distinct from .each other, their landscape plans should reflect this: their concepts and design solutions will differ. J. Crossroads The corner of 66th Street and Lake Shore Drive is unique within not only the study area, but the entire community. It is potentially important from a purely local perspective. This "crossroads" is unlike the other highly-visible corners in the study area: the two gateways, which 22 are identified with metropolitan highways; or even the 66th and Lyndale intersection, since Lyndale is also an important street in athet• metropolitan cities and is a regional arterial. This crossroads links Richfield Lake with Wood Lake: it is a purely community crossroads..Thus its potential value is to provide community civic identity. This can occur in several forms. At present, one can drive through the intersection without being aware of either lake~ach only a block away. If the SW corner parcel were acquired, both that and the SE corner could be landscaped to provide ahighly-visible visual transition onto Wood Lake. This visibility is important to establish the true physical character of Richfield- which has several lakes and many parks, most of which are as a practical matter invisible to passers-by. Some form of signage would also be helpful to call attention to the parks-the presence of lake-parks in both directions. It.would be most effective if the signs were designed to recall the visual imagery of either park. Additionally, pathway enhancements could be extended from park to park. The two parks could then be more easily offered as a system, with many combined choices for passive and active recreation. K. Post Office This is a key sub-district, :especially under the Comprehensive Infill scheme. In this approach, both the Bridgeman's and. Post Office sites are acquired. Bridgeman's could relocate to a prime lakeside location on the Boardwalk; while the Post Office could move to a more functional site , probably outside of the LDN district; a postal service center could be provided in nearby retail space. New residential would then be constructed on this site, similar in scale to the adjacent Wood Lake Point. Redevelopment of this site would also allow reconstruction of the sharp, right- angle turn of 65th Street into a more graceful, curving configuration. Finally, the 900-928 Rae parcel could eventually be redeveloped into townhousing. L. 65th Street The current "wild" vegetation screening the view onto Richfield Lake would be opened up, and the frontage landscaped in a "natural" landscape imagery. This would provide a more attractive pedestrian entry into the park, and also afford passing motorists a view of the lake. New landscaping along the north sidewalk would extend. eastward to tie into existing boulevard landscaping south of the municipal liquor store. Some form of enhancement could visually- soften the mostly blank building walls along the south side of 65th Street. M. Intersection The intersection of 66th Street and Lyndale Avenue serves a singular role in the district. If the freeway interchanges are seen as gateways into the community, and the Crossroads understood in the context of community identity, then this intersection is the focus, the symbolic center, of what is effectively Downtown Richfield. In a traditional urban downtown, such an intersection would be tightly-defined by the largest buildings; in this setting, the opposite has occurred: the large buildings are set well back from the intersection. The planning response is to "balance" the four corners, providing enough "visual mass" to define the intersection as a place. The starting point for this is the NE corner, which is- comparatively-elaborately landscaped. The existing plant materials here can be reinforced with additional materials that will add (1) visual mass; (2) seasonal color; and (3)four-seasons presence.. The other three intersections should be planted with similar goals. Conceptually, the planting should be a little stronger on the north corners than the south. This is in part because they are frontally illuminated by the sun, and also because the larger buildings are to the north. 23 N. Triangle Site If the VFW site is redeveloped, these will be the only non-anchor properties on this very large block. At present, the buildings are reasonably well-maintained. However, like the Plain Vanilla apartment buildings, they can be expected to eventually become uncompetitive with other nearby commercial properties. Also like the apartments, purely private redevelopment of this site is problematic. One possible reuse of this site is for a MCTO park-and-ride facility, perhaps asmaller-scale version of the one on Highway 13 just east of I-35 W in Burnsville. On this site, apark-and-ride facility would have aheated/air conditioned waiting area and perhaps a single parking deck. O. VFW Site .Should the VFW decide to consolidate its meeting and food service functions with the American Legion, this site would become available for reuse. Since the existing building is designed for a special purpose, it is likely that the site would be redeveloped. The most plausible redevelopment reuse would be for multiple housing, possibly empty-nester condominium or cooperative units marketed, at least initially, to VFW members. Such a development would further impact the two single-family houses on the block, which would then sit between large buildings to the east and the west. Acquiring these two houses would eliminate this impact. A VFW Memorial Garden can then be established on these lots. Such a garden would provide a tangible identity for the Richfield VFW, as well as a distinctive planning event for the district. n NEXT STEPS As noted at the beginning of this report, this study offers conceptual approaches to the revitalization of the area around Richfield Lake. These illustrative solutions are intended to be coordinated with-but still independent of-one another. This means that improvements and enhancements in one sub-district are not dependent upon what happens in another sub-district. However, they are all aimed at a common goal: the continued economic revitalization of a district that has achieved a distinct sense of place. The City will want to study these ideas, and discuss them with area stakeholders.. When consensus is reached on the most desirable actions, an assessment of general priorities can be established. Once this is accomplished, a guide plan can be created and the enhancement of Richfield Lake will be underway. 24 • Orchestration of a sense of place is more a matter of art than science. Still, if there are not hazd-and-fast rules, there aze basic guidelines upon which we can rely. A sense of place is fundamentally based upon human activity. This requires a choreography of two elements. First, the activity itself must be showcased. Second, people must beattracted-and able-to watch While this sounds obvious, tens of millions of dollars have been spent at urban "placemaking" in our metropolitan azea alone while ignoring this basic truth. Architecture and landscape architecture aze the contexts, the sets, which are animated and energized by people: Throughout the Richfield Lake azea, activity of all kinds can be easily shovvcased. This may require such actions as encouraging transparency in windows---discouraging dazk and reflective glass (or no windows at all!), trimming underbrush in key locations to provide views to pedestrians and motorists alike, and carefully siting activity-generators like restaurants and trails to achieve a continuous interchange between viewers and "actors." Tone ,IMAGES People are attracted by a sense of fun and excitement. One way in which to establish this .visually is to introduce a "bright" tone through the use of cheerful colors. Vibrant colors are employed world-wide, from Asia [temple gateway at right) to Scandinavia [see waterfront scene, below) to evoke an emotional response from viewers. For a number of reasons, the architectural use of color has traditionally been limited in our region. Where color is utilized, locally, it has typically been muted.- Vibrant color can be used in the district azound Richfield Lake with great effect. This can be most effectively accomplished by concentrating the most vibrant architectural use of color in the azea immediately azound the lake, with colors becoming more subdued with distance from the lake. Invention Virtually all architectural design is based upon precedent. For example, the American Colonial-style houses found throughout the metro azea are based upon the imagery of houses common more than two centuries ago throughout what is now the U.S. However, from a design perspective, each era distinctively colors the prototype image. The American Colonial of the 1920s differs substantially, for instance, from an American Colonial oi; say the 1970s. This is because designers aze unconsciously influenced by their own eras-they cannot just exactly copy the original. Where the designer truly understands the original, the contemporary version becomes transformed. This invention results in the visual diversity that characterizes most great cities. The key point is that the original-the model-must be thoroughly understood by the designer before its essence can be transformed. If this does not occur, the design can result in something that is neither original nor inventive transformation. As an example, this study suggests employment of a bridge to some of the "islands" in Richfield Lake. One popular image for such a bridge is the Chinese Moon Gate [see above]. The essence of the moon gate is its powerful, solid base, which visually plays off against the thinness of the span. When this model is reduced to a skeleton, as at Centennial Lakes, this essential chazacteristic-and its visual effectiveness--is lost. Remedial Improvements Not all design interventions need be heroic. Much of this district is "almost there" in a design sense. An example is the play azea on the northwest edge of Richfield Lake Park. This is perfectly serviceable at present. However, to support proposed improvements around the lake, the play azea can be subtly upgraded visually through landscaping. This may be accomplished through a landscape device as simple as playful mounding of earth azound the active area [see example below]. Features Even world cities like Paris and Rome have compazatively few features. [The term is used here in the sense of an extraordinary urban design element.) Great cities aze usually characterized by having many remedial improvements for every feature they contain. Thus the feature is not so much important in creating a sense of place as it is in symbolizing that place. What makes something a feature? Sometimes it is a matter of pure scale: the Pyramids of Giza come immediately to mind. Another common attribute is purity of design and beauty, a description of the Golden Gate Bridge. A third characteristic is extraordinary siting, such as that of the Parthenon, which can be seen far out to sea, as well as throughout Athens. Perhaps the razest form of feature aze those which can be described as unexpected transformations. This category includes such features as the famous Chinese tower in Kew Gardens near London; sham ruins in Tower Grove Pazk, St. Louis; and the "Spoonbridge" in the Walker Art Center sculpture garden. In this group is the proposed fountain for Richfield Lake [below) which is partly traditional, partly `natural" and wholly for fun! • s. •~ r ~, .This fountain would be located at the end of the visual axis set up by the Boazdwalk. It would function not only as a visual feature, but also as a destination for swimmers. The site would be imaginatively lit at night, and could be seasonally decorated during winter months. BASELINE IMPROVEMENTS SCENARIO Illustrative Area Plan ~- -- "_-_.t. 'fit '~• ~ ; ~ i - _.. ~ .ti _... .. _._ .__. ~= +.. ` I _~'~- ~; .~. , . { <h F ,. .. ~:~ t M , a 4 •- _. ;w ~ ~, ,'f~ ~_ ,,, ~. ',~~~ ~ r .,r-•. _ _ ,+,. 5 r _ _ 1f `'1 t s '3" a • • COMPREHENSIVE INFILL SCENARIO Illustrative Area Plan ^ ~ ,;~.. .~. ~{ + ''h T'. .. _,, _ t .., ~~{ ~ v~ t ' r% r~' -t r<.~ .~ y~~'. ~~~. Sw ~~ ~~~;i r Vii' ~'i~•~ i I .~ •#i ~, ._~......,. ,- ..L..,,.. ..r. •` _ - .. ~a .~~' •' .: ~+V 6.' '_ ~ `_ ~~:n ~,r~ r';V _,, ..~ 47~ {i' I ~, .. ~4~'v