03-12-2024 WS City Council Agenda W O R K S E S S IO N
R IC H F IE L D MU N IC IPAL C E N TE R, B AR TH O LO ME W R O O M
MAR C H 12, 2024
6:15 P M
C all to order
1.S taff will introduce a concept plan for a plaza "P illsbury P laza" located at 65th S treet and P illsbury Avenue.
A djournment
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AGENDA SECTION:Work Session Items
AGENDA ITEM #1.
WORK S E S S ION STAFF RE P ORT NO. 07
WORK SESSION
3/12/2024
RE P O RT P RE PA RE D B Y: K ristin A sher, P ublic Works D irector
D E PA RTME NT D IRE C TO R RE V IE W: K ristin A sher, P ublic Works D irector
3/5/2024
O THE R D E PA RTM E NT RE V IE W:
C ITY MA NA G E R RE V IE W: K atie Rodriguez, C ity Manager
3/6/2024
I T E M F O R WO RK S E S S IO N:
Staff will introduce a concept plan for a plaza "Pillsbury Plaza" located at 65th Street and Pillsbury
Avenue.
E X E C UT IV E S UM M ARY:
The 65th Street Reconstruction project included the removal of the cul-de-sac at Pillsbury Avenue leaving
behind a large area of public right-of-way. Staff have been developing a concept plan for this area, with the
help of former co-workers and in conjunction with family members, of former colleague and Richfield
Transportation Engineer J ack Broz. As a placeholder, we are calling this area "Pillsbury Plaza".
D IRE C T I O N NE E D E D:
Introduce the Pillsbury Plaza concept plan and provide guidance to staff on whether or not to proceed
with the plan and which options to pursue.
B AC K G RO UND INF O RM AT I O N:
A .H IS TOR IC AL C ON T E X T
Jack B roz was well known as community builder and design flexibility teacher across the state of Minnesota
and beyond. He began his relationship with Richfield in 2007 as the project manager for the 76th S treet
Reconstruction project. J ack continued to work with the city on many reconstruction projects, including the
reconstruction of P ortland and Lyndale Avenues as well as 66th S treet. The development of the 65th S treet
Reconstruction project would unfortunately be the last project J ack would lead.
B .E QU ITAB L E OR S T R AT E GIC C ON S ID E R AT ION S OR IMPAC T S
Equity: The residents in this area have no public park or gathering space in the immediate vicinity. There is a
large amount of multi-family housing in this area and the nearest public spaces require crossing either Nicollet
Avenue or the railroad tracks to access. C onstruction of a public plaza in this otherwise unused space will give
area residents a place to gather, recreate and build community.
Strategic: None
C .P OL IC IE S (resolutions, ordinances, regulations, statutes, exc):
None
D .C R IT IC AL T IMIN G IS S U E S:
S taff needs direction on whether or not the C ity C ouncil would like to move forward with some sort of plaza in
this area at this meeting in order to keep it on track for 2025 construction.
E .F IN AN C IAL IMPAC T:
F unding scenarios and financial impacts will be discussed at the meeting.
F.L E GAL C ON S ID E R AT ION:
None
ALTE R N AT IV E(S):
None
P R IN C IPAL PAR TIE S E X P E C TE D AT ME E TIN G:
Marilou Broz