Related Content: Cedar Point

Overview

The City of Richfield and the Richfield Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) are going through a process to guide development in the Cedar Corridor Redevelopment area. The exact boundaries of the redevelopment area have not been established, but it will likely mirror the boundaries of the 87 db Low Frequency Noise Impact Area (click here to view map)  to some degree. The area is being considered for redevelopment because of the proximity to the airport’s new runway and the recommendations by noise experts that many of the existing homes in the area will not be able to withstand the negative effects of the low frequency noise.

Three neighborhood open houses were held in 2004 as a part of the planning process for the area. The open houses, at Centennial Elementary School, were attended by over 200 residents, staff members and City officials. There were a number of "stations" at each open house; many of which were interactive. At these interactive stations, attendees were asked to provide input on their preferences for the redevelopment of the area. The following are the results of those interactive activities:

What "Neighborhood" Means to Me

At this station there was a list of terms or characteristics which could be associated with a neighborhood. People were asked to select those terms that they most closely identified with a neighborhood. Of the 540 responses that people gave, here were the top 10 (followed by the number of respondents that selected the particular attribute):

1.  My streets would be safe and well lit (52)

2.  There would be lots of trees (44)

3.  There would be connections to walking/bike paths (42)

4. & 5. (tie) I could walk to a park (36); I would have direct access to natural amenities (lakes, nature preserves, etc) (36)

6. & 7. (tie) I could walk to a neighborhood market, bookstore, coffee shop, etc. (35); I would know my neighbors (35)

8.  I could easily access public transportation (bus, LRT, etc.) (25)

9 & 10. (tie) It would be very easy to cross busy streets (23); I could walk safely and directly to other neighborhoods (23)

What Do You Like

Eighteen pairs of photographs of different types and characteristics of development were displayed at this station. People were asked which photograph, from each pair, that they preferred. Among the photographs that the largest groups of respondents selected were:

 

 

Neighborhood Activities and Services

This station asked people to identify activities and services that were desired in the area. For each type of use (residential, commercial, etc.), the responses chosen by more than 15% of the respondents were the following:

• Residential: 19% want townhouses included in new development and 16% wanted housing that allows pets.

• Recreation: 35% want a bike path connected to a region-wide system and 17% would like to see a driving range in the area.
• Shopping: 52% would like to see restaurants.
• Transportation: 35% want a pedestrian friendly plan and 26% want a bicycle friendly plan, 23% want access to transit/light rail and 16% would like to see a method in place to have slow moving traffic on side streets.

• Also, when asked what they "fear or don’t want": 47% responded with big box retail and 40% identified additional traffic from large-scale retail.

Master Plan

In September 2004, the Cedar Corridor Master Plan was adopted by the City Council, Housing and Redevelopment Authority and Planning Commission.  A copy of the Master Plan is available for viewing or purchase at Richfield's City Hall.

To view the proposed land use patterns
in the Cedar Corridor Master Plan, click here.

The plan will take 12-15 years to fully implement.  The first phase of the plan is the Cedar Point Redevelopment Area.  The Cedar Point area is bounded by Taft Park on the north, 66th Street on the south, 16th Avenue to the west and Highway 77 to the east.  The development company, Ryan Companies, Inc., is proposing a 30-acre retail development in this area.  In 2004, the comprehensive plan designation for this area was changed to "Regional Commercial/Office" to accommodate a retail center.  In 2005, the City of Richfield received $2 million grant from Hennepin County to continue the acquisition of properties on Cedar Avenue north of 66th Street. 

On May 16, 2005, the Richfield HRA signed a development agreement with the Ryan Companies.  Upon the City's approval of Tax Abatement and a modification to its Redevelopment Plan, which should both be complete by the end of June, Ryan might begin contacting homeowners regarding the potential sale of their home.

For more information call Community Development Dept. at 612-861-9760.