The Lyndale Avenue gateway to Richfield begins at 77th Street and extends north to 74th Street. The three-block area is mostly commercial, but is surrounded by residential development, thus establishing conflicting land use relationships and leading to other problems such as: a substantial parking deficiency, declining property values, high vacancy rates, serious alley conflicts, debris, odors and imposing noise on the surrounding neighborhoods. By involving residents and businesspersons in this study, HKGi and the City of Richfield intended to address this myriad of problems while creating a distinctive gateway to the city.

Several redevelopment scenarios, ranging from "do nothing" to "complete corridor redevelopment," were presented to area stakeholders.

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The resulting strategic plan highlights the three-block corridor as a "gateway" to the Richfield community, and establishes a built environment pattern that reinforces the role of the commercial area as significant part of the life of the neighborhood and its residents.New development guidelines call for patterns and structures that reflect a more urban character -- more pedestrian and neighborhood, less freeway and suburban. Potential sites for public gathering spaces were identified, along with the development of public space at street level, suggesting that the area adopt the qualities of a more intense, lively and vital commercial district.

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