Transportation CommissionItem 5.aDecided
Penn Avenue Open House 3 Follow-Up: Commission Design Preferences
After reviewing results from Open House 3 (63 in-person and 531 online respondents), the Commission reached consensus on preferred design features to send to Hennepin County for the Penn Avenue reconstruction: one-way cycletracks (70% public support), roundabouts with RRFBs at 64th and 75th Streets, a roundabout at 69th Street, closed medians at 67th, 71st, and 73rd Streets, full-access left-turn lanes with medians at all other intersections, and raised crosswalks parallel to Penn Avenue.
Consensus (no formal vote)
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
Roundabouts, RRFBs, and raised crosswalks are intended to reduce vehicle speeds and improve pedestrian and cyclist safety along the Penn Avenue corridor.
Concern to consider
Closed medians at 67th, 71st, and 73rd Streets will eliminate some left-turn and cross-traffic movements, requiring drivers to reroute.
What happens next: Hennepin County will use the Commission's preferences to develop a full project layout; a City Council work session on cost participation is scheduled for July 28, and the County expects to seek a Commission recommendation and Council concurrence in October 2026.
Sources: Transportation Commission agenda (city portal) ↗
Transportation CommissionItem 5.bDiscussed
69th Street Safety and Utility Improvements Project Introduction
Staff introduced the 69th Street Safety and Utility Improvements project, a planned full street reconstruction with storm sewer replacement from Xerxes to Penn Avenues addressing an aging trunk line and known flooding along Sheridan and Russell. No formal action was taken; the project is tentatively scheduled for a late Fall 2027 bid opening with construction to follow.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
The project would replace an end-of-life storm sewer trunk line and address recurring flooding along Sheridan and Russell, while adding a sidewalk retrofit from Xerxes to Penn.
Concern to consider
No funding amount or assessment details were presented yet, and construction will bring temporary disruption to the corridor once underway.
What happens next: Field investigation, data gathering, and topographic survey were slated for July/August 2026, followed by Open House #1 in August, with three more open houses through early 2027 before a tentative late Fall 2027 bid opening.
Sources: Transportation Commission agenda (city portal) ↗
Transportation CommissionItem 6.aDiscussed
City Staff Project Updates and Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Volunteer
Staff updated the Commission on MnDOT's I-494 project, Hennepin County's Nicollet Avenue reconstruction, and the city's Sheridan Hills Safe Routes to School, 73rd Street Sidewalk, and 64th Street Sidewalk projects. Staff also sought a Transportation Commission volunteer for the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee; Commissioners Kubista and Straub volunteered, but the final selection was deferred to a future meeting.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
These ongoing projects address regional traffic (I-494), county road reconstruction (Nicollet Ave), and new pedestrian sidewalks near schools.
Concern to consider
No new decisions were finalized; the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee representative remains undecided.
What happens next: A future Commission meeting will finalize which Commissioner (Kubista or Straub) represents the Transportation Commission on the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee.
Sources: Transportation Commission agenda (city portal) ↗
Transportation CommissionItem 6.bDiscussed
Council and Commission Liaison Updates
Council Liaison Hayford Oleary reported on the city's park alcohol policy discussion, the City Manager's announced retirement and upcoming search process, and news regarding the property tax assessment for the Best Buy corporate campus. Liaison Bradley invited Commissioners to complete the city's parks survey, and Commissioner Gepner praised liaison Tim Brackett for his youth biking class.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
Keeps the Commission informed on city leadership changes and policy discussions affecting parks and taxation citywide.
Concern to consider
No specific dollar figures were shared regarding the Best Buy property tax assessment change.
What happens next: Residents can watch for further City Council action on the park alcohol policy and City Manager search process.
Sources: Transportation Commission agenda (city portal) ↗
Transportation CommissionItem 7.aDiscussed
Future Agenda Items for August 2026
The Commission planned to discuss Penn Avenue design work with Hennepin County and hold the first 69th Street open house at its August 2026 meeting.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
Sets up continued public discussion of two major corridor projects affecting travel through Richfield.
Concern to consider
Specific August agenda details, including exact dates, were not yet finalized.
What happens next: The Commission will discuss Penn Avenue design (with Hennepin County) and hold the first 69th Street open house at its August 2026 meeting.
Sources: Transportation Commission agenda (city portal) ↗
Transportation CommissionItem 8Discussed
Upcoming Transportation Commission Meetings and Events
The Commission listed upcoming events including the 2026 Bike Tour on July 29, 2026, a regular meeting on August 5, 2026, Penn Avenue Open House #4 on August 19, 2026 at St. Richard's Catholic Church, and a 69th Street open house in August 2026 with details still to be determined.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
Provides residents multiple upcoming opportunities to engage on transportation projects, including two open houses and a community bike tour.
Concern to consider
Some event details, including the 69th Street open house date, time, and location, remain unconfirmed.
What happens next: These meetings and events proceed on their listed dates through August 2026.
Sources: Transportation Commission agenda (city portal) ↗
Transportation CommissionItem 9.aDecided
2026 Bike Tour Route and Start Time
The Commission agreed by general consent to the proposed route and a 6:30 p.m. start time for the 2026 Bike Tour, scheduled for Wednesday, July 29, 2026. This sets the plan for the community cycling event open to Richfield residents.
Consensus (no formal vote)
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
Provides a free community cycling event for residents interested in biking around Richfield.
Concern to consider
No concerns; this is a routine community event planning decision.
What happens next: The Bike Tour will take place July 29, 2026, starting at 6:30 p.m. along the agreed route.
Sources: Transportation Commission agenda (city portal) ↗