Richfield City Council Approves Master Plan for 66th Street Corridor Revitalization

In a presentation by Tom Whitlock, president of Damon Farber Associates, the Richfield City Council and audience members heard Hennepin County’s 66th Street Corridor Revitalization Plans, which are scheduled for 2015.

While the entire run of the street (from Cedar Avenue to Xerxes Avenue) will eventually be fixed up, the Tuesday presentation focused on the area between Portland and Cedar Avenues.

The goal of the master plan, created by Damon Farber Associates, is to “improve the long-term economic viability and market position of the 66th Street corridor,” according to the presentation documents.

Whitlock said the study area was broken into three districts:

• Regional Business/Office District: The Cedar Points Common shopping area.
• Central Business District: The eastern edge of to Cedar Point Commons.
• Neighborhood/Residential District: Portland Avenue to eastern edge of Veterans Memorial Park.

The presentation also outlined possible opportunities for the city in each area, with many of the suggestions including mixed-use buildings to include housing and retail space.

As for the street itself, lanes would be reduced from two lanes in each direction to one in each direction. However, there were many different options presented for what would take the place of the other lanes, including street parking, center turn lanes, bike lanes, streetscapes and combinations of all.

The overall plan illustrates a number of things, Whitlock said: The plans intend to strengthen the business district, provide more housing options, and continue to have a regional draw at Cedar Point Commons.

While Mayor Debbie Goettel said she liked the plan and was excited about the revitalization of that area, she would’ve like the housing component to be more flushed out.

In the end, the plan was approved by the city council.