Address: 7600-44 Pillsbury Av. S., Richfield

Type: Senior housing

Units: 88

Developers: Mesaba Capital Development, Roers Investments

Architect: Kaas Wilson Architects

Details: Ground was broken this week for Havenwood of Richfield, an 88-unit senior housing project on the former site of the Richfield Public Works garage.

When the city opened a new garage in 2007, it studied new uses for the 3.3-acre site. It determined high-density housing affordable for low- and middle-income families and/or seniors would be best. Edina-based senior housing builder Mesaba Capital Development first approached city with plans for the block in 2015 and received site plan approvals in March 2016.

In the interim, Richfield provided a $2.2 million "pay-as-you-go" TIF package, under which the amount of the higher property taxes generated by the site improvements will be refunded to developer over a period of several years.

The plans call for 60 assisted living units and 28 memory care units. The building will have a full commercial kitchen with dining room, beauty shop and spa, community room, lounge areas and library. Exterior design elements include gable roof ends, masonry and stone and balconies. A 56-stall underground parking garage is also in the plans.

Richfield-based nonprofit senior housing provider Avinity has been selected to operate the new building, which is set to open next spring.