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Community profile: Fridley

Note: This is one of a series of community profiles, intended to highlight issues faced by local governments as they begin the process of updating their comprehensive plans.

Redevelopment is biggest challenge for aging suburb

Fridley is a worker’s city. Railroads, factories, corporate headquarters, warehouses – you can’t drive far without noticing the commercial and industrial bustle.

At the same time, it is a city of quiet, tree-lined residential streets where people choose to live their entire lives, according to Scott Lund, mayor of Fridley. “This place still has a small-town feel to it, where neighbors know neighbors,” he said.

The first European settlers in the area arrived in the 1840s and set up a trading post and inn near the outlet of Rice Creek along the Red River Trail, which ran from Fort Snelling north along the Mississippi River to northwestern Minnesota. But the city didn’t incorporate until 1949 and, like many first-ring suburbs in the Twin Cities, grew rapidly in the decades following World War II. Development spread east from the “spine” of the railroad running north-south near the river. Today, Fridley is considered a fully developed community and is facing the challenges of redevelopment.

From housing to industry, redevelopment is central

The city has a multitude of redevelopment projects in the offing – some proposals, some in review at city hall, and others under construction. They range from small single-family housing projects to a senior housing cooperative to massive commercial and industrial makeovers. The city’s comprehensive plan designates special redevelopment districts, although much of the activity is taking place outside of those.

One promising future redevelopment is in the area of a proposed Northstar commuter rail station, said Scott Hickok, director of community development for Fridley. About eight acres on the east side of the track are available for parking and multi-family housing. 

Highways split city lengthwise

Fridley is traversed east-west by a freeway (694) and north-south by two major state highways (47 and 65) as well as East River Road. The highways are heavily traveled by commuters heading into Minneapolis from the north and “present some interesting challenges in terms of land use,” Hickok said.

Hwy. 65 (Central Avenue) is in the pipeline for expansion to three lanes in each direction as soon as the state is able to fund it, Hickok said. No plans exist to expand Hwy. 47 (University Avenue), but the city is grappling with aesthetic issues along the highway, including an aging chain-link safety fence required by the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Springbook Nature Center: a source of pride

In the midst of the bustle, the city has several parks where residents can enjoy quiet walks and more active recreation. The Rice Creek West Regional Trail bisects the city east to west, following the winding creek. Moore Lake has a swimming beach, playground, picnic shelters, baseball diamond and other recreational facilities.

But perhaps Fridley’s crown jewel is the 127-acre Springbrook Nature Center at the city’s northern tip. Acquired in 1974 after a public referendum with mostly federal funds, the park habitat includes woodlands, wetlands and open meadows. An interpretive center and amphitheatre provide facilities for educational activities. Visitors enjoy hiking, picnicking and wildlife viewing.

More about Springbrook Nature Center.

City faces budget deficit

Fiscal constraints continue to be an issue for the city, according to Lund. Cuts of more than $2 million annually in local government aid from the state since 2003 have led the city to both cut its budget and spend down its reserves. “That won’t last forever,” Lund said. “We have a budget imbalance that we have to solve.”

In addition, voters will see for the third year in a row a proposal to allow the city to raise water and sewer rates more than the rate of inflation to cover the cost of providing the service. Currently the city is using reserves meant for infrastructure repair to subsidize day-to-day water and sewer operations.

City begins plan update

“

Regional Livable Communities funds support redevelopment projects in older communities like Fridley. The pending redevelopment of the former TIRO industries at East River Road and I-694 is a good example of our collaborative efforts.

”

– Tony Pistilli,
Metropolitan Council, District 2

The city has initiated the update of its comprehensive plan to submit to the Metropolitan Council by 2008. In preparation for the update, Hickok said, the city held a series of four housing forums to educate citizens about the city’s needs and obligations to provide housing affordable to middle and lower-income families, and to get their views on possible redevelopment scenarios.

“I think a good mix of housing for people at all stages of the life cycle is most beneficial for the city,” Lund said.

In 2007, the city will survey residents to learn more about what they want to see in the next comprehensive plan.

-- published October 2006 --