Pillsbury Commons Fails, LA Fitness Opens & Lyndale Gardens Moves Ahead: Richfield Revelopment Year in Review
The major redevelopment happenings from 2012.
Richfield Patch covered a lot of different stories, topics and events throughout 2012, but there were a few that stood out as the most interesting, important or possibly infamous to our readers.
As far as local redevelopment went, there was plenty that happened in the last year:
Pillsbury Commons Fails After Years on Table
The affordable housing complex, which was in the works for more than two years, was officially laid to rest in July after months of back and forth between the city and the developer, Ron Clark Construction & Design—and the city and residents.
Our coverage:
- Pillsbury Commons Development Proposal Faces Opposition
- Pillsbury Commons Developers to Make the Rounds in Richfield
- Richfield City Officials See Huge Community Turn-Out at Pillsbury Commons Presentation
- Residents Asking City Council to ‘Say No’ to Pillsbury Commons
- Questions Remain About Pillsbury Commons Proposal
- Concerned Residents Continue Pleas for City to Reconsider Pillsbury Commons
- REPLAY: Ron Clark, Residents Debate Pillsbury Commons Project
- UPDATED: Planning Commission's Pillsbury Commons Public Hearing Postponed
- Ron Clark Explains Request for Planning Commission Continuation
- Pillsbury Commons On City Council Docket Once Again
- Wroge Accuses City Attorney of Violating Public’s Free Speech Rights
- City Officials ‘Offended’ By Ron Clark Presentation
- Pillsbury Commons: What Happens Next?
- Ron Clark Pulls Land Use Applications
- Commissioner: ‘We’re All Dressed Up With No Place To Go’
- School Officials: ‘Anyone Who Walks Through Those Doors Are Our Kids’
- Long-Time Resident Stands Up for Pillsbury Commons
- Richfield Commoners United Responds to Criticism
- UPDATED: Ron Clark Submits New Pillsbury Commons Design Plans
- City Outlines Next Steps for Pillsbury Commons
- UPDATED: Pillsbury Commons Process Hits Another Snag
- Residents Step Up To The Pillsbury Commons Microphone
- Poll: Does The City Know What It's Doing With Housing?
- Resident Accuses Pillsbury Commons Supporters of 'Crying Wolf'
- Pillsbury Commons Project Effectively ‘Dead’
- Pillsbury Commons Further Marred By City Officials’ Decisions
- Council Refuses to Reconsider Recent Pillsbury Commons Actions
- It's Over: Pillsbury Commons Land Option, Project Expires
- UPDATE: Ron Clark Changes Mind on Optioned Land
- Ron Clark Releases Statement on Failed Pillsbury Commons Project
- After Pillsbury Commons, City Officials To Discuss Housing Policy Monday
LA Fitness Opens
The first of many new businesses on the site of the former Kmart site opened its doors nearly a full month ahead of schedule on Oct. 3. LA Fitness is a full-service athletic facility and will soon be joined by other businesses at what is now called Lyndale Station:
Our coverage:
- Richfield’s ‘Downtown’ Quickly Getting a Facelift
- PHOTOS: Kmart Demolition In Full Swing
- What Will Richfield's LA Fitness Offer? Everything
- Richfield 'A Great Place to Do Business,' Says Lyndale Station Developer
- Richfield LA Fitness Opens Early
Lyndale Gardens Unveils Design Plans, First Tenant
The eager city of Richfield has been waiting since March 2011 to find out who and what would soon replace the long-vacant and unkept Lyndale Gardens Center site.
Developer The Cornerstone Group unveiled inital design plans over the summer, which included an ampitheater, outdoor market pavilion, a terrace overlooking the lake from a restaurant and much more. Soon, the first tenant, Lakewinds Natural Foods, was announced as the first tenant.
Our coverage:
- Lakewinds Co-Op Signs Purchase Agreement With Lyndale Gardens Developer
- Lyndale Garden Center to Transform into Winter Market
- Lyndale Gardens Developer 'Disappointed' By Bandshell Location Recommendation
- VOTE: Lyndale Gardens or Vets Park For Richfield's Music Hot-Spot?
- Richfield’s ‘Downtown’ Quickly Getting a Facelift
Menards Transforms into Superstore
Despite a little tiff with the neighboring Burger King owners, Menards moved ahead with plans to revamp its Richfield store into a sprawling two-story superstore. An opening date has yet to be set.
Our coverage:
- Richfield City Officials Express Concerns About Menards Redevelopment Plans
- Menards Triumphs in ‘Battle’ With Burger King
- What's Jun Bo Got to Do With It?
- Burger King Sues City for Menards Decision
- Burger King Shutters Doors
- Menards on Schedule to Open By Spring 2013
***
All of Richfield's latest redevelopment news can by found on Richfield Patch's topic page "Richfield Redevelopment."
What was your favorite redevelopment project this year?
Tell us in the comments.
