02-12-1990 SpecialCITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA
SPECIAL MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL/HRA/PLANNING COMMISSION
February 12, 1990
MEMBERS PRESENT: Steven Quam, Mayor; Ivan Ludeman; Martin
Kirsch; and Edwina Garcia.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Michael Sandahl
STAFF PRESENT: James Prosser, City Manager; Steven Devich,
Administrative Services Director; Thomas P.
Ferber, City Clerk; Donald Fondrick;
Community Services Director; Byron Wallace,
Community Development Director; and Jack
Erskine, Public Safety Director.
OTHERS PRESENT: Vern Luettinger, HRA;
Planning Commission Members:
Robert Nelson, Thomas Ohnesorge, Morris
Nilsen, Jr., William Snyder, David Sumnicht,
and Michael Gallagher.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Quam at 5:30 p.m.
Item #1 PRESENTATION OF NEW FORD TOWN REDEVELOPMENT
ALTERNATIVES. C.L. N0. 32
City Manager Prosser reviewed Council Letter No. 32
regarding receipt of a report from Planning Consultant Tom
Martinson regarding New Ford Town Redevelopment Concept
Alternatives.
Tom Martinson presented the New Ford Town Redevelopment
Concept Alternatives. He stated the study first proposes to
enhance 66th Street along its entire length in Richfield
terminating at the east end at a public overlook in MSP Airport.
He reviewed the following four. concepts for redevelog~rent of New
Ford Town:
Airport-Related Facilities -- Amenity Level A
This is a typical "low-level" development which occurs in areas
where ample space allows for a "spread out" site. About 500,000
square feet of business properties such as air-freight, food
preparation and warehouse facilities could be constructed within
the existing city street grid. Modest landscaping would be done.
Special Council Meeting Minutes -2- February 12, 1990
Office-Warehouse -- Ameni y Level H
This scheme would allow about 400,000 square feet of mixed
business use containing combined office and warehouse space.
Designed for more people, it would require at least 800 parking
spaces. Stepped-up landscaping would surround a center
boulevard, although some of the basic existing street grid could
still be used.
Office Showroom -- Amenity Level C
A "High Corporate" plan consisting entirely of office space, this
phased development would group pairs of buildings around public
entry courtyards and surround a central, landscaped park. All
streets would be realigned and extensive plantings and ground
improvement features performed. At least 1,000 parking spaces
would be provided.
Prestige Investment/Mixed Use -- Amenity Level D
This would be a state of the art commercial development with over
one million square feet of office space built under imaginative
designs. Five towers of 6 to 11 stories are arranged around a
beautiful central park, with landscaped axial alles aligned
towards Downtown and vistas, and over 4500 parking spaces
allowed. The entire site would be fully landscaped with ponds
and other water elements. The Overlook would be developed into
an airport-theme restaurant.
This plan is feasible only if MSP is significantly improved and a
new West Terminal constructed on adjacent airport property. This
terminal would be a component of a revolutionary "21st Century
Gateway" MSP Airport transformation.
Under this plan, a third (far north) parallel runway would be
constructed at MSP, north and west access roads improved with
integrated transportation systems designed. "Clear Zones"
acquired, other housing replaced or made sound-resistant, and
large-scale landscaping and regional park system expansion
accomplished.
City Manager Prosser stated a Public Information Meeting to be
conducted by the Planning Commission will be scheduled for
Wednesday, February 21, 1990, 7:30 p.m. at the Richfield
Intermediate School, 7020 12th Avenue South for New Ford Town and
other interested residents.
Lawrence Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, stated concern about
the potential loss of tax base and control of the area if it is
developed for airport use.
City~Manager Prosser stated that the City intends to be involved
in the planning any redevelopment and will strive to assure a tax
base or revenue replacement.
1
Special Council Meeting Minutes
ADJOURNMENT
-3- February 12, 1990
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consen t 6:4~ .mom
Date Approved: 2/26/90 ~ ~`i .~
Stev ~ Qua ~` Mayor
Thomas P. Ferber J mes D. Prosser
City Clerk C ty anager