I agree with the mayor's comments on a Goodwill store. I don't think we need one so close to another. It doesn't seem a good fit.
S.L

I did not see any mention of "TIF" money. Can that not be far behind???

I'm in full agreement with the mayor as well. In addition to the current Goodwill being so close, Richfield already hosts Arc's Value Village on Penn Ave. I would vote no.

As much as I like the idea of a "casual dining restaurant", there doesn't seem to have been much success with that in Richfield. Bridgemans has stood vacant for years, the site of King Oscars is empty, many other restaurants have come and gone. Perhaps we should be aiming for something where people can gather for activities that are family friendly. I am not sure what that would be, just tossing out an idea. Anyone have any thoughts out there??

Mike - To address your question about TIF, the plan as is stands would not need any municipal funding, which definitely peaked the interest of the council. However, Wellington didn't want to "close the door" on the possibility as they move farther along with the project.

Terri - You have some great insights about the casual restaurant environment. Hopefully the company works more closely with the chamber members to get ideas!

Of course Mike! Thanks for reading and commenting. We'll see what happens!

I also support the Mayor's comments. Reviewing the City's 2030 Comp plan, the Kmart site is designated as mixed use. This prominent intersection of the city demands a higher and better use than a few retail buildings (regardless of who the prospective tenents might be). Looking at the other three corners of that intersection are examples of the density that could (or should) be achieved in this location.

JDL

Thanks for commenting Jeremy. The mayor was very concerned with making sure the corner would look and fit in with the other projects down that are happening just across the street. I'm sure in the end it will turn out beautiful!

I agree with the mayor and others who have indicated that the proposal seems underwhelming in nature. That is a prime piece of property in Richfield's downtown district. It seems like there should be a more visionary proposal for the property. I like The Cornerstone Group's proposal for the Lyndale Garden site better because it incorporates unique uses and community gathering focal points. City leaders should negotiate for a similar proposal for the Kmart site.

I would LOVE an LA Fitness there! Oh Please oh please, I hope that comes true!

I agree with most of the above. Wellington, back off, and give our Mayor a break. We want peace and quiet.
Leave the noise in Bloomington. Talk to Best Buy, corporation, Richfield can tackle most anything, but we will not, bow to huge corporations. that car dealership that use to be in Richfield. Went to Bloomington, and bought out all that they could. and that would be WALSER.

That is why I buy my cars at Freeway Ford.

I think the LA Fitness and restaurant would be great! Goodwill... not so much. However I am excited to see this area redeveloped and any new business there would be better than a vacant building

Just one followup to my earlier post on this subject. I am very pleased progress is being made with regard to the Kmart site. And I have no problem with any of the mentioned tenants. I just hope the proposal is enhanced to fully maximize the potential for a prime parcel of Richfield real estate. What we have now is a good starting point. Let's negotiate for the benefit of Richfield.

I have to admit to being somewhat disappointed in comments regarding Goodwill being included in Wellington's proposal for the K-mart site. If I didn't know better, as a resident of Richfield for in excess of 50 years, I would suspect an element of eltism or "'not in my backyard" sentiment being expressed. I suppose we could "negotiate" for something more uopsacle i.e. Restoration Harwdare, Barnes & Noble, etc but they are in or close to bankruptcy, like many others given the economic climate. Wellington came to Richfield with a proposal, which did not inlcude a hand out for TIF or anyhting else, and it is being suggested we are getting short changed. I happen to think differently.

In response to Mr. Elliot's comment. First, I appreciate and thank you for your service on our city council and have been supportive of your position on many issues during your tenure. That being said I certainly don't believe that being non-supportive of a business such as Goodwill is either discriminatory or “elitist” and I’m certainly not insinuating "not in my backyard" regarding the idea. I apologize if my comment was perceived that way. As a matter of fact I patronize Arc’s and have also been to the Goodwill in Bloomington. I am, however, saying that I don't believe there needs to be another one located within 2 miles of each other, especially at this particular site in a prime "downtown" location as Richfield has very few. I believe it should be developed with the “best neighbor” use for the adjoining and adjacent businesses within the four block radius being kept in mind while considering their clientele. I also believe there is a more amenable business to consider which will attract people from within as well as outside of the Richfield community to this particularly busy location. I think Richfield deserves that.

Here's why the Kmart proposal leaves me somewhat underwhelmed. The proposal seems to underuse a parcel of land in what's commonly thought of as Richfield's "downtown." There needs to be more at that site in addition to the uses proposed. Perhaps a residential component. Or more commercial. The problem isn't the proposed tenant mix. The problem is that it doesn't do enough of that we should expect at that location.
The artist drawings presented to the council show three nice buildings surrounded by a sea of surface parking. But they look just like three nice buildings you might see in Maple Grove ... or Woodbury ... or Mankato ... or St. Cloud ...or Fargo. The overall concept does little to add to the character of our community. This is in contrast to The Cornerstone Group proposal at the Lyndale Garden Center site that does exactly that with community-building amenities and features.
I'm glad Wellington is on board as a contributor to Richfield's future. Let's just be strong advocates for what's best for Richfield. Negotiation is not a bad thing. It's simply the process of developing a stronger partnership and a better outcome for all parties involved.

Pat, I believe that is a very fair statement. I will certainly give more thought to that now that this blog has provided a forum for comments and ideas to spark more thought and debate. I think Richfield Patch has provided a valuable community service for the realtime exchange of thoughts and ideas than has been available to the community-at-large previously. I will put effort into trying to provide some tangible ideas. Thanks for being open to them!

I want a sushi restaurant!

Caitlin, I am sooooo with you on that one!! :D

Right? The closest place to get GOOD sushi is in Uptown - which is always packed. The Osaka in Bloomington is OK, but not the best I've ever had. Put that on the list Pat!

A downtown has cute shops, quaint restaurants that are inexpensive. We could put a Patina and a Breadsmith in that spot -or a Buffalo Wild Wings. I think that a Trader Joes would also be great!

OK, I love all those ideas, especially the Trader Joes! Thanks Claire.

There are seemingly limitless possibilities for this building, not the least of which would be for the VFW to move into part of the building since they got a bit of a raw deal when the city redeveloped Lakeshore. However, I feel a prudent route would be to really dress up the outside facade and turn the building into a reception hall, there are a lot of churches not only in Richfield, but north Bloomington and south Minneapolis, why should Richfield lose business to the hotels along 494?

This could also be a roller rink, a skate board park or a Grand Slam with batting cages and laser tag. It's important that we have for our kids. It's one of the many great ideas posted here today.

Pat Elliott, I helped you get elected. How could you tell Sue, What do you want? A Barnes & Noble?

I had a long talk with the Chamber, Steve L. Believe it or not, the people in this community know exactly what they want. I would suggest to all of our paid council, to start listening, because elections are not far behind. At this time, Fred Wroege, and T. Fitzhenry would get my vote. Nuff said.

Mary Hildreth Barnes

Jake Rappe, class of 2001! Another awesome Richfield grad. did you ever become a policeman?

Good to hear from you, keep writing.

Cheleys mom...

Chelseys, great, now the mom does not know how to spell the daughters name. Grad from Bloomington, no spell, no math. what can I say?

Trader Joe's and fantastic Chinese...David Fongs? Not a raw fish fan. sorry.

I will be a new employee at Sea Salt. Minnehaha Park. Open April-September. Another idea for Richfield.

Outdoor dining, funky music, lights. Park, water, light rail, ok, stop me. No light rail in Richfield. Only those aweful MTC buses. Unlike Apple Valley, cushy seats.

Fresh fruit, asparagus, spinach leaves.... and my fav. strawberries.

To the point of LA Fitness, there is a Ballys fitness within walking distance of the k-mart site - literary across the railroad tracks. That kind of makes Arc value village and another goodwill, both over a mile away a mute point.

Here is the way I see it. With more and more people needing goods at a lower price-point, businesses like value village and goodwill are growing and will continue to grow for quite some time. Some of the people that use these businesses do not have the best transportation options, so convenient location is important. Many people go to the hub and shop at say marshals, so being close to the hub is a very convenient location. In addition to that, the area has I would guess well over 300 apartment units and more to come as the development across from the lyndale garden center.

I think of LA fitness as a more upscale fitness center than ballys; much like lifetime; so I think that would be a good fit for Richfield. The thing to watch out for is that fitness centers use a lot of parking.

I agree with Dan and Brie's comments and ideas. I really like the idea of Trader Joe's! Is there someone working to invite certain businesses in that we think are a good fit for Richfield? Or, do we wait for companies to show up with proposals?

Yes to Trader Joe's! How about Nelsons Pie shop, remember them? Or, a nice ice cream shop, hmm, maybe I'll open up the ice cream shop! Or my husbands dream, a rolling hot dog wagon, like on the "East Coast"

Or, a coffee and wine bar, or a small cozy Italian restaurant, or French. Just no more yuppy stores. sorry, had to say it.

Richfield is certainly missing locally owned dining options, in addition to outdoor dining options. I'd like the city to go after the type of business Minneapolis has, not Bloomington or Edina. We're urban, let's let the suburbs have their chains and cookie cutter stores.

I agree with Robert, although, since I grew up in Bloomington, some of the "city" is ok, mostly Lyndale, south, to 98th St. I do not want "Edina", I can get my passport, and jump the border into Edina.

We are urban, and I agree, lets stay urban, we love to walk, bike, run, enjoy our Nature Center, families love to walk to our Dairy Queens, yes, we have two. Please, no more chains, or cookie cutter stores. Been there, done that, now what?
We have our own "mini" lakes, right here in Richfield. We are not giving there locations, because, we want them for just us. :)

I am curious as to whether or not the old red bricks covering Kmart can be reused. I would love to have some. If anyone knows who I can contact, I would appreciate the help.