The Community Development Department relies on the help of the Planning Commission, the City Council and the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) to regulate housing, commercial redevelopment and land use in Richfield. In the first decade of the 2000s, the Department worked on the development of Cedar Point Commons near highway 77, City Bella on 66th Street and Lyndale Avenue and Kensington Park on 76th Street and Lyndale Ave. The Department is located at City Hall.
Since opening in 2004, the South Metro Public Safety Training Facility has provided area public safety agencies with a truly cutting-edge training venue. Edina joined forces with the Metropolitan Airport Commission as well as the cities of Bloomington and Eden Prairie to jointly own and operate the facility, which features a 12-lane shooting range, classrooms, defensive tactics room and external tower for a variety of simulations. Police and fire agencies from all over the southwest metro area use the facility.
Members of the public rent lanes at the facility's firing range every Saturday from 8am until 2pm. Lanes are available for $15 per half-hour, with only pistols allowed on the range. Ear and eye protection are available for rental, though the facility does not provide firearms or ammunition to customers.
The Municipal Service Center, or MSC, houses 60 large city vehicles, such as dump trucks and street sweepers, as well as smaller equipment. The MSC is also home to the offices of many city divisions, such as utilities and public works. And, after a year-long, $9.5 million remodel, the MSC re-opened in September 2010 with an additional 53,000 square feet of space and revamped meeting areas.
Golden Valley City Hall, located near the intersection of Winnetka Avenue and Golden Valley Road since 1959, is a one-stop shop for the city's 20,000 residents. City Hall houses the city council chambers, a number of meeting rooms and the following city departments: administrative services; the city manager's office; inspections (where people buy permits); motor vehicle licensing; planning, zoning and economic development; and public works.
Yet City Hall offers people so much more. Not only can visitors purchase postcards, mugs and maps of the city; they can also get a glimpse into Golden Valley's past. An exhibit on the second floor displays some historical artifacts related to the city, including a large map from when Golden Valley was nothing but farmland. City residents often examine the map to see whose farm once occupied the land where their homes are currently located.
This building houses the offices of many St. Louis Park city departments, including community development and administration. Town residents can come to the building to pay utility bills or to acquire various city licenses and permits. City Council meetings are also held here, with regular meetings falling on the first and third Monday of each month at 7:30pm.
The city offices of the City of Medicine Lake are located in the western suburbs on the large peninsula within Medicine Lake. Mayor Mary Anne Young takes pride in serving the small community of Medicine Lake. The city offices offer services including public safety, city planning and special events. For information on events, call the number listed or visit the official City of Medicine Lake website.
If there's one thing Golden Valley is well known for, it is its parks and trails. Fifteen percent of the city is dedicated to parks and open space and the office overseeing those parks is located in the Brookview Community Center next to the Brookview Golf Course.
Amenities offered at the center include various community rooms that people use for meetings, parties and receptions; as well as grills and picnic tables on a deck outside with beautiful views of the golf course. Alcohol is allowed on-site for events, but people cannot bring their own alcoholic beverages, it has to be supplied by a designated beverage provider.
People can also come here to register for recreational programs offered at some of the various parks around Golden Valley.
The Richfield Recreation Services Department is housed at the Richfield Community Center, near Augsburg Park, Richfield Senior High School and the library. This department works closely with the Public Works Department to ensure the parks are well-kept. The department also handles the programming of Richfield activities such as fitness classes and card-playing lessons. It also manages the Richfield Pool, Richfield Ice Arena and Woodlake Nature Center.
Though Edina City Hall sports modern architecture and design, the same tract of land has housed the city's administrative buildings since the late 1930s. Today's city hall is the third building to occupy the former pasture, with construction completed in early 2004. Inside, the building's contemporary aesthetic is highlighted by stamped concrete, lannon stone, wood and large glass windows. The hallways lead to city departments ranging from planning and building inspections to health. Visitors can also find several public meeting spaces and the Edina City Council chambers.