[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6154805,"mediaKeyId","5483197-c8ea1d754cd689d647f692af1f468dfd","parentId",5483197,"title","Richfield Council hears $4.2M pool renovation plan; architects propose base scope, alternates and energy upgrades","audioSeconds",2475,"startMs",2541075,"endMs",5016090,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5483197-c8ea1d754cd689d647f692af1f468dfd&start=2541&end=5016","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5483197-c8ea1d754cd689d647f692af1f468dfd/thumbnail_2541075.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6154805/Richfield-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Richfield-Council-hears-42M-pool-renovation-plan-architects-propose-base-scope-alternates-and-energy-upgrades","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154805-82e44e72e1903c3057f681e17ac90b81/orig.mp4?Expires=1771123986&Signature=LIIWY-Ql3Ku1KKbBVNZCBge-KJdVg-ehJfAmKJSaew17hffZ8-GpHPBpP0kR~YGiWPM5rsSeXJP18R2yXcO~vrt6fgxz3XlxVv2NOc7HkOdWC9VvTlNiS5LLN7Oh9tFVidCB1oZo9nJxtZKjf-y7X~lINA1CGAJCVpxq0P3JML9yttEtMRTI6qFKXowdXsipqH-wiFCBZ50-5PxosK0cwbvWunCsc8QyD31lazUYLVAMU5Z82dnCRPODcf7k~MCsT9-MCECNTolUW6P8yvtz4S8RyNPrO8q5029c801IqEeGia-8lufRmOvo4G9nejkZze4PJGBIkUezA2Mway93Sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Richfield, MN","date","2025-07-26T19:24:55.713Z","article","Richfield officials and consultants presented a scope, schedule and budget for a renovation of the city’s outdoor pool during the July 22 work session, proposing a base project intended to “reset the life” of the facility and extend service for roughly another 10–20 years while listing alternates for additional amenities and mechanical upgrades.

The project team — represented by JLG Architects (Adam Barnett and Zach Finstrom), pool specialist Nick Owoski and construction‑management advisor Will from Loeffler — described a base construction estimate for structural and finish work and a total project budget currently set near $4.2 million. “The project goal is really to kind of reset the life on your pool, so that you can get another 20 out of it,” Adam Barnett said.

Nut graf: The base scope prioritizes a new plaster finish for the main lap pool, waterproofing and repairs, refinishing the water slide, replacing aging diving towers with one new tower and limited bathhouse upgrades; major mechanical and filter equipment replacements were identified as desirable but exceed the current budget and were scoped as alternates or future capital projects.

Key budget and schedule details presented by the consultants included a construction‑cost estimate of roughly $3,738,000 (base construction), soft costs and contingency bringing the total target budget to about $4.2 million, and alternate items priced separately (rough alternates total ~ $1.5 million; a full set of all alternates would push the project toward about $5.3 million). The pool team said they can finalize documents and pursue bidding in September with construction in the off‑season to have work completed before the next pool season.

Scope highlights in the base bid: replastering the lap pool with ceramic tile accents and waterproofing the overflow gutter; minor concrete repairs where spalling is found; removal of an end‑of‑life drop slide and replacement or reduction of diving towers to a single usable tower; gel‑coat refurbishment of the fiberglass water slide; and targeted upgrades to bathhouse finishes (epoxy floor coating, ADA partition adjustments, LED lighting and exhaust upgrades).

Alternates and future‑wish list: the team placed several items outside the base budget for council prioritization, including replastering the kiddie (zero‑depth) pool, replacing or refurbishing the aquatic play unit, replacing the bridge over the slide, ornamental perimeter fencing, expanded shade structures, landscape islands and a full equipment‑room renovation (new pumps, filters and mechanical systems). Team members noted that equipment‑room renovations trigger electrical and code work that can significantly increase cost, so many mechanical upgrades were scoped as a separate project or negotiated procurement.

Council questions and direction: Councilmembers asked for clearer price tags and condition assessments for each alternate. Several councilmembers urged prioritizing alternates that reduce ongoing operating costs — for example, more efficient pumps, regenerative media filters that reduce backwash volume and energy‑efficient concessions equipment — and requested a simple prioritization matrix weighing cost, condition and operating savings. Councilmember Walter and others asked about filtration options and whether lower‑chlorine systems or newer filter media could reduce operating costs; consultants said filtration upgrades (regenerative media) can improve water clarity and reduce backwash water and energy use but add notable upfront cost and are more cost‑effective for year‑round indoor pools than short outdoor seasons.

On mechanical piping and leaks: consultants said the pool structure itself is in good condition and that prior targeted repairs (for example, a lined main drain) reduced water‑loss issues. The team advised that replacing all buried piping is usually not cost‑effective unless full replacement of the pool is planned; instead, repairs to failed segments are typical maintenance practice.

Next steps: the consultants agreed to provide the council staff with a priced alternate list, condition notes and a short rationale for each alternate (e.g., cosmetic vs. operational savings), and to align alternates to the council’s target budget (the council indicated a funding target of roughly $4.25 million tied to sales‑tax funding). Staff and consultants expect to finalize bid documents in August, release bids in September and pursue construction in the off‑season, subject to final scope decisions.

Ending: Councilmembers asked staff to return with the priced alternates and operational‑savings estimates and encouraged prioritizing energy and operating‑cost improvements alongside visible, public‑facing items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Work Session - July 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Richfield officials and consultants presented a scope, schedule and budget for a renovation of the city’s outdoor pool during the July 22 work session, proposing a base project intended to “reset the life” of the facility and extend service for roughly another 10–20 years while listing alternates for additional amenities and mechanical upgrades.","taxTitle","Richfield City, Hennepin County, Minnesota","taxId",55411,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6154810,"MnDOT updates Richfield Council on I‑494 phase 2: noise, crossings and municipal consent timeline",2472,4320,2476440,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5483197-c8ea1d754cd689d647f692af1f468dfd&start=4&end=2476","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5483197-c8ea1d754cd689d647f692af1f468dfd/thumbnail_4320.jpg","/articles/6154810/Richfield-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/MnDOT-updates-Richfield-Council-on-I494-phase-2-noise-crossings-and-municipal-consent-timeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154810-7d2e68d7feffde7d6c7c03352b3f028d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771123986&Signature=luXniBq1v1-DEZjSlxxb55ewtyefQqUQ2t8vBMojWs2U1S9FC3kjHEb0-j7E6hMIlJPbOC0f-~uShL21BDG3g-K86tjjNM1D5Xu-gcTQUSzsBR5RarIaDKhefHeriJ9Y4DfaG63LpI3h9hxR8ZFXa1R9nxvxMUZCpYqkgTKR4g1-UjEOdzUmsaJhxxtRkvm0-RJIf7V6rETkOvmY~z9bqF2ZEy4lLDjTx5HIotja0brm9lcU9TrRhFj~dxWhHDupdPVjnQ1XMh1vaXmwjz1QGoMn~chmMWZ1FYYvu6ucGy~nRbDG6~CcnGJW6RaH1~YXPLsZUcpqRaAuIqMeSHCFxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MnDOT Major Projects Manager Amber Blanchard told the Richfield City Council on July 22 that work on I‑494 Phase 2 is advancing and that MnDOT expects to seek municipal consent in August or September after completing updated noise and air‑quality analyses.

The update covered follow‑up items from project vision and Phase 1, existing and planned regional construction that could affect traffic in 2027–2029, and public‑engagement plans that include an in‑person open house at Richfield High School on July 30. “We are anticipating that we will be asking for municipal consent sometime in August or September, kind of depending on, when some of that information, especially on noise and air quality, will become available,” Blanchard said.

Why this matters: Phase 2 would continue the I‑494 corridor work begun in Phase 1 and includes local crossings, noise mitigation evaluations, traffic phasing and property easements. Councilmembers pressed MnDOT on local safety fixes and crossings where pedestrian and bicycle users are exposed, asking MnDOT for more detail about targeted interventions at specific interchanges and bridges.

Most of the technical work Blanchard described is still in analysis. MnDOT has begun 2050 traffic forecasting, which feeds the ongoing noise and greenhouse‑gas work; the noise evaluation will consider feasibility and cost‑effectiveness of noise walls and then follow MnDOT’s property‑owner voting process for required walls. Blanchard said the traffic forecasting delay had pushed some analyses back, but that results would be available before municipal consent is requested.

Councilmembers repeatedly pressed MnDOT staff to return with specific answers on localized issues. Mayor Supple and several councilmembers asked for targeted follow‑up on the 70th/35W interchange area (referred to several times during the discussion as a high priority safety location), on the Second Avenue pedestrian bridge (ADA compliance and whether it would be replaced if removed in the future), and on a potential trail/rail crossing where a replacement railroad bridge is planned. Amber Blanchard and MnDOT staff committed to return with that follow‑up information at the next work session.

MnDOT and partner staff described regional constraints and funding context. The project team noted significant federal and state grants already awarded to the corridor (including an INFRA federal grant and state Corridors of Commerce funding) and said Phase 2 had received substantial funding, but that timing and phasing must account for adjacent projects (for example, Highway 13 and other county and state work planned through 2027–2029). Ryan Wilson and other MnDOT regional staff said the 494 railroad bridge replacement and several other regional bridges will constrain how work is staged in 2027.

On the Second Avenue pedestrian bridge, Blanchard said the bridge has service life left and was recommended to remain in place during visioning, but that the bridge is not ADA compliant and “we will need to evaluate the need and funding for the potential future work on that bridge and replacement as well.” Councilmember Burke raised the risk that if MnDOT removes the structure later for safety reasons the city might lose negotiating leverage to get a replacement or relocation more useful to the community; MnDOT acknowledged that future outcomes cannot be guaranteed and pledged to document options and funding avenues.

Engagement and next steps: Blanchard summarized Phase 1 engagement (24 in‑person events, virtual open houses, ~4,500 email subscribers and about 9,800 visits to the virtual open house site) and said Phase 2 public engagement will be more informational, focused on upcoming construction, timing and impacts. The project team said business outreach has begun (door‑knocking) and multiple pop‑ups and open houses are scheduled; they reiterated a plan to return to the council with noise, greenhouse‑gas and traffic‑impact information prior to requesting municipal consent.

Council follow‑ups requested included more detailed analysis and options for the 70th/35W interchange safety improvements; whether a trail crossing can be included in the planned replacement of a rail bridge; locations where noise walls may be feasible and the voting eligibility for affected properties; and the expected schedule and traffic staging now that a full closure of TH‑77 at I‑494 has been taken off the table.

Ending: MnDOT staff said they will return with the requested data and answers — including any funding commitments and project‑manager assignments — at a later work session, likely September. The council scheduled continued discussion of Phase 2 details and municipal consent timing based on those follow‑ups.","MnDOT staff updated the Richfield City Council on planning and public engagement for I‑494 Phase 2, reported follow-up items including noise analysis, air‑quality/greenhouse‑gas work and a municipal consent window likely in August–September, and agreed to return with more detail on several local safety and crossing items.","actionData","errors"]

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Richfield Council hears $4.2M pool renovation plan; architects propose base scope, alternates and energy upgrades

MnDOT updates Richfield Council on I‑494 phase 2: noise, crossings and municipal consent timeline