01-27-1986 Joint~'
CITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA
JOINT MEETING OF THE RICHFIELD
CITY COUNCIL AND BLOOMINGTON CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 27 , 196
RICHFIELD COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Edwina Garcia; Martin Kirsch; Ivan Ludeman•,
and, Michael Sandahl.
BLOOMINGTON CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
James Lindau, Mayor; R. Blessum; A. Herbst;
M. Mahon; N. Peterson; and, T. Spies.
',~
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Lindau at 6:00 p.m.
DISCUSSION OF MUTUAL TRAFFIC CONCERNS OF THE CITY OF RICHFIELD
AND THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON.
Richfield City Manager John Cartwright said he had .contacted
the Bloomington City Manager to suggest a joint meeting of the
Richfield and Bloomington City Councils follow the Richfield-
Bloomington Water Management Organization to discuss traffic
matters that are of mutual concern to both cities. He said of
particular interest to both cities is the intersection of Penn
Avenue and I-494; Intersection of Lyndale Avenue and I-494; the
ring route; and the Mega-Mall. `°
Bloomington Public Works Director Russell Langseth and
Richfield City Engineer Michael Eastling reviewed concept
drawings of the proposed improvements to the I-494/Penn Avenue
and I-494/Lyndale Avenue intersections. Improvements on Penn
Avenue include a new eight lane bridge over I-494, ramp/frontage
road realignments, and the addition of left turn lanes at 76th
Street and 80th Street. Improvements on Lyndale Avenue include
widening the bridge over I-494 to six lanes and rerouting
traffic from 76th Street to a new 77th Street commercial
arterial street.
Richfield Council Member Ludeman stated that the widening of
Lyndale Avenue would have impact on property in Bloomington
south of I-494, just as improvements to Cedar Avenue at I-494
would have an effect on Richfield properties.
Joint. Council Meeting
Richfield/Bloomington
-2- January 27,-.1986
Lyle Berg, Traffic Engineer for Bloomington, reviewed the
concept of the ring route which was intended to provide an
arterial street parallel to I-~+9~+ for short trips and. those
trips not destined for the freeway. He said for many years
Bloomington has been encouraging developments along the freeway_
to have access to the south rather than to the frontage road."
He said there would be three grade separated crossings along the
79th-80th route with an underpass at Cedar Avenue, an overpass
at 35-W and an overpass at Normandale Boulevard. Mr. Cartwright
said the parallel street in Richfield would. be 77th Street-where
commercial traffic will be moved from the residential streets to
that roadway.
City Manager Cartwright said Richfield wished to express its
concerns about development of the former stadium area because
traffic congestion will cause ears to be funneled onto Richfield
streets from Cedar Avenue and I-~94. He said at meetings held
with Richfield residents by BRW, traffic consultants .for
Bloomington, there were misconceptions by residents as to what
is planned.
Council Member Sandahl said he had talked with a number of
his constituents covering misinformation about the removal of
homes and changes to the 12th Avenue and I-x+94 interchange.
Mayor Lindau noted that misinformation has also proved
injurious to Bloomington with the cost of the traffic
improvements for the stadium site differing depending upon the
source, with the highest estimate being that of the Metro
Council at $366,000,000. Mayor Lindau said the improvements
Bloomington wants made are to Cedar and I-~9~, and Cedar and
Killebrew Drive.. The I-x+94 improvements will have to be made
regardless of what happens to the stadium site.
City Manager Cartwright pledged Richfield's cooperation in
resolving mutual traffic concerns. Mr. Cartwright added that
Richfield opposes any exemptions to the fiscal disparities law.
Mayor Lindau responded that Bloomington has requested an
exemption for the stadium site only and that this would provide
funding for road improvements.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Date/A~iproved : 3/24/86
'S'~~~n L. Devich
Acting City Clerk
r
van Lud an Mayor ProTem
J n G. Cart rig
City Manager