Portland Legacy

The Portland Legacy Project encompasses the area within a quarter to half mile of the I-494 and Portland Avenue interchange, with a focus on the area along Portland between 77th St. and American Boulevard. The project area straddles Interstate 494, which serves as a major gateway to both Bloomington and Richfield. See map below.

Revitalization:  Both Bloomington and Richfield are focusing attention on revitalizing aging commercial areas to create attractive, vibrant places that better serve their neighborhoods and changing demographics.  This area developed in the 1950s and 60s and many of the buildings are old with poor access and limited parking.  While there is a significant amount of nearby housing, the area lacks safe, comfortable routes for pedestrians and bicyclists and is lacking in landscaping or other amenities.  Key objectives are to make the area more attractive, create a sense of identity, and improve pedestrian and bicycle safety and access to nearby parks and businesses.

Coordinate with Major Projects:  Two major transportation projects are planned that will affect the area: 

• MnDOT I-494 Access Study – MnDOT is evaluating access along I-494 that will result in substantial upgrades to the interchange at Portland Avenue.  This presents a unique opportunity to improve the streetscape, enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety, and create a major gateway entrance to Bloomington and Richfield. 
• D-Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) - Two D-Line transit stops are planned in the area: one on American Boulevard just east of Portland Avenue and another at 77th Street in Richfield.  The D-Line – which is expected to begin operating in 2022 - will extend along American Boulevard and Portland Avenue; traveling through the heart of the project area.  There is an opportunity to improve pedestrian and bicycle access between the surrounding neighborhood and businesses to the planned transit stations in this area. 

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Virtual kick-off meeting February 24th

The cities of Bloomington and Richfield held a virtual public meeting on the Portland Legacy Project on February 24th.  A recording of the meeting is available for replay here:  https://vimeo.com/516726954

Summaries of input received at the virtual kick-off meeting at through online platforms (interactive maps, surveys, etc.) are provided on the graphics below:

Stakeholder Meetings

The consultant team and staff from the cities of Richfield and Bloomington conducted meetings with area developers, various governmental agencies (MnDOT, Metro Transit, Hennepin County), and Xcel Energy.  An in-person meeting was held in December 2019 during an initial reconnaissance trip made by the consultant.  Follow up virtual meetings were held in February 2021.  The consultant also invited property owners in the study focus area to engage in one-on-one virtual meetings. 

Summaries of input received from stakeholders is provided on the graphic below:

The Portland Gateway Report is conceptual in nature and is intended as a tool to provide guidance for revitalization and public realm improvements in the area around Portland Avenue and I-494.  Note:  meeting packets are generally posted one week prior to the meeting.  Meeting packets can be viewed here:  www.BloomingtonMN.gov/meetings

Planning Commission

• March 25, 2021  Informational update
• July 1, 2021  Review and Recommendations

Bloomington HRA

• April 27, 2021 Informational update

City Council

• April 21, 2021 Special (joint) City Council meeting - Informational update.  of the Richfield and Bloomington City Council’s.  To review a recording of this Special Meeting click here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLdU-i5QoLU
• July 26, 2021 (tentative): Bloomington City Council – Review and accept.

The cities of Bloomington and Richfield are working together on this Legacy Project, which pairs us with a national planning and design consultant who will provide pro-bono assistance for the project. 

You are welcome to contact us if you have questions or want more information. 

City Contacts

Bloomington - Mike Palermo, Planner mpalermo@bloomingtonmn.gov); 952-563-8924); and

Richfield - Melissa Poehlman, Assistant Community Development Director (mpoehlman@richfieldmn.gov); 612-861-9766)

Design Consultants

TSW https://www.tsw-design.com/, a planning and design firm based in Atlanta with assistance from Toole Design https://tooledesign.com/, who has a local Minneapolis office and specializes in innovative transportation planning.

Input on this project was received from residents, businesses, and property owners who use and enjoy this area as well as developers familiar with the area and governmental agencies (MnDOT, Metro Transit, Hennepin County, and Xcel Energy).  The ideas and input received during virtual community and stakeholder meetings, online engagement tools, and city officials were incorporated by the TSW design team in the guiding recommendations compiled in the Portland Gateway Report.  The cities of Bloomington and Richfield will use the report when considering decisions regarding redevelopment and investments in public improvements (e.g., roads, sidewalks, trails) in the Portland Gateway area.