Developers Break Ground on Lyndale Plaza Apartment Project

, the Lyndale Plaza development project  Tuesday.

City and county officials, residents, developers and their partners gathered at Woodlake Plaza for the afternoon ceremony.

“As the result of the (long) process we went through, I think we will have the best project that we can have here,” Terry McNellis, one of three property owners and developers, said. “We’re hoping (this is) just the beginning of the projects that will be happening (in this area).”

is the first of three pending projects to break ground on northern Lyndale Avenue. The husband and wife team of Terry and Mary McNellis, of St. Croix Real Estate, and their partner Mike Swenson, of Michael Development, are the owners and developers of the project, and will also manage the property when it's completed.

The complex will feature a pedestrian friendly streetscape, green space and underground parking, as well as high ceilings, large windows and fine finishes, according to Pete Keely, of Collage Architects, one of many speakers Tuesday. The developers, Keely said, continually asked themselves "How can we make this a better place to live?"

The developers’ and architect’s goals were to build on what Richfield had already done on Lyndale Avenue at 66th and 76th streets with the building of City Bella and Kensington Park.

“We really want to make the streetscape look like the ‘downtown’ area on 66th Street and Lyndale," Terry McNellis said.

Funding for the project came from Wells Fargo, the Metropolitan Council, the City of Richfield and Hennepin County, among others, according to Terry McNellis.

“We’re grateful for all the help,” he said. “It takes a lot of effort and a lot of people to get anything done.”

Crews are working now to remove the asbestos and other potential hazards from the building before going to work on the demolition, scheduled for Oct. 24. Builders will finish in about 11 months, and the apartment should be ready for tenants next fall.

"A year from now we hope to have you all back from the open house,” Terry McNellis said.