Politics & Government

Richfield Residents Want to Keep Lyndale Garden Center's History Alive

Site developers and a partner agency present findings of community workshop series.

Richfield residents want to maintain the history of the 66th Street area by preserving the existing building.

That's according to findings from , hosted by developers and their partners, to engage the public in the .

Keeping the existing building has been the plan all along, and the fact that residents wish to maintain it is a sign the developers, the Cornerstone Group, is on the same page.

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“[The workshop process] really confirmed and enforced the things we already wanted to do with the site,” , president of the Cornerstone Group, said. “I think it went well and we developed a rapport with the [community].”

Other things on residents’ wish lists included:

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  • Strengthening the connection to , as well as incorporating other existing trails, paths and linkages;
  • Avoiding chain restaurants;
  • Creating an entertainment such as a dinner theater;
  • Finding unique shops to occupy the retail space;
  • Creating an easily accessible venue with parking options;
  • Keeping housing buildings lower to the ground;
  • Creating an indoor/outdoor space that can also be used during the winter.

With resident insights taken into consideration, several recommendations and considerations were presented by Gretchen Nicholls, coordinator for the Twin Cities Local Initiatives Support Corp, which helped conduct and fund the community workshop series. Recommendations included the need to maintain the naturalness of area, finding a solution to the parking problem and creating a city center in the heart of Richfield that will be a regional draw.

Further, Carey said her firm already had a letter of intent for a co-op grocer to occupy a large portion of the retail space, which was also another recommendation of residents. The Cornerstone Group is also in talks with a couple other restaurants and retailers. The developers will close on the property in November 2011 and begin $200,000 worth of construction to stabilize the building before further development begins.

Stay tuned for more updates on the redevelopment process from Richfield Patch.


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