Draft in works for Airport South

Bloomington wants to redevelop the area for a transit-minded community.

By MARY JANE SMETANKA, Star Tribune

Last update: January 6, 2009 - 5:18 PM

A greenway of some kind, possibly stretching from the Mall of America area to the edge of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, looks likely to be included in Bloomington's redevelopment plans for the Airport South area.

A draft proposal for the area, where two-thirds of Bloomington's future commercial and residential development will take place, is expected from Philadelphia planning and design firm Wallace Roberts & Todd later this month. The city will choose its preferred plan in March or April, said Larry Lee, the city's community development director.

Airport South is the area bordered by I-494, Hwy. 77 and the Minnesota River. While it encompasses 2,350 acres, only about 980 acres can be developed.

At the area's heart is Bloomington Central Station, which includes a light rail station, a park, Health Partners' headquarters and the two glass "Reflections" condo towers.

Much of the surrounding area is covered with parking lots, offices and hotels. But city officials think the proximity of the airport, light rail stations and major highways mean a transit-minded community can be created that will be attractive to new residents and businesses.

Last month, three maps with rough design scenarios for the area were posted on the city's website. All featured some kind of parklike corridor stretching east of the mall toward the Minnesota River.

One suggested expanding the mall directly to the east, with a wide, green boulevard almost reaching the refuge. Another would expand the mall to the north and east, with two smaller parks, a multi-use parking ramp and changes that would make it easier to use transit in the area. The third combines elements of the first two plans.

Property owners, mall officials and others, including Metro Transit and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, also have weighed in on the designs.

The city wants a design that is environmentally friendly and sustainable. Focus groups are looking at how to handle surface water and energy issues.

Lee said the Wallace Roberts firm is taking that input and developing a development draft that may include more details like road modifications. But a firm proposal won't emerge until springtime.

"I'm feeling really good," Lee said. "The reaction we're getting from stakeholders has been good, so it's nice to feel like it's heading in the right direction. ...

"We're clearing a path to a solution."

Mary Jane Smetanka • 612-673-7380

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