Richfield reviews placemaking playbook and three branding options for central commercial area

Richfield City staff and the Economic Development Authority on Tuesday reviewed a "placemaking playbook" and three branding concepts aimed at creating a more cohesive, walkable destination in the city's central commercial area.

Economic Development Manager Jen Youngquist told councilmembers and EDA members that outreach for the project included pop-up engagement, an online survey, focus groups, one-on-one interviews and small-group sessions with the EDA and city council. "All in total, well over 1,100 people did provide comments and feedback on the downtown area," she said.

Civic Brand cofounder Ryan Short presented the placemaking approach and said it is intentionally different from a traditional downtown "master plan." "This what we're doing is definitely not like a downtown master plan," Short said; he described the deliverable as ‘‘a playbook of ideas’’ that can be tested at small scales and scaled up if successful. "This would be a great project. We now have the funds to do this," Short added in reference to available grant funding and the rationale for quick, low-cost pilots.

Why it matters: city officials said the engagement surfaced consistent strengths…