Ridgedale Village Center Study

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In 2012, the City of Minnetonka commissioned the Ridgedale Village Center Study to develop a vision for the future of the area. The master plan will guide development decisions and provide strategies for land use, design and key investments to keep the area vibrant and successful.

The Ridgedale Village Center Study identified a need to:

Create an identity and sense of place for the Ridgedale district.
Build on past investments and current plans.
Provide a framework for investments and improvements.
Develop the area’s public space to connect to various places.
Identify catalyst projects and potential locations.

In 2017, the city developed the Ridgedale Area Public Realm Guidelines, which provide guidelines to:

Transform the retail center into a mixed-use community.
Rebuild Ridgedale Drive into a parkway.
Enhance the area’s natural features.
Improve pedestrian access and connectivity.
Encourage environmentally friendly practices.

Potential new development in the Ridgedale area is envisioned to include:

An estimated $400 million (or greater) total capital
800 new housing units
180,000 square feet of office space
250 new hotel rooms
A new conference center, estimated at 20,000 (or more) square feet
Six new restaurants that occupy a total of 45,000 square feet
Up to 2,800 structured or surface parking spaces

Interactive Map of All Current Ridgedale Area Projects

Reports

Ridgedale Village Center Study – Published October 2012
Ridgedale Area Public Realm Guidelines – Published December 2017
Guiding Principles: Ridgedale Area Southwest Sector – Published March 2015
Scope of Services for Ridgedale Village Center Study – Published June 2012

Contact Information

Planning Division – 925-939-8290
Project Planner: Loren Gordon – 925-939-8296

Meeting Notices

Letters to Residents and Businesses

Background

The Ridgedale Mall area is a major commercial and economic center in Minnetonka serving the western suburban market area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Since its opening in 1973, the Ridgedale area has continued to grow – during both prosperous and down economic times – and attract many prominent local and national businesses. This positive business climate is expected to provide stability into the future.

Despite the area’s good economic health, the suburban design and form is not a sustainable model for future redevelopment efforts. Although the area benefits from generally good regional freeway system access from I-394, few alternative transportation options exist. Trips within the area are automobile dependent. Local and interior road systems lack pedestrian and bike facilities that could promote other travel means. Many of the buildings are 30 or more years old, and although in generally good condition, are not necessarily adaptable to the vision of a future Ridgedale.

A number of city efforts and studies have been completed in the area. The city’s comprehensive plan identifies a number of development strategies to revitalize and bring an increased and broader array of businesses, services, housing and entertainment to the area.

The MnPASS Phase II study is a regional corridor study of I-394 from Minneapolis to Wayzata aimed at increasing multi-modal transportation and opportunities for supportive land use and community design solutions. Key recommendations for the Ridgedale area include a transit center, a 500 car park-and-ride, freeway system improvements, and significant increases in commercial and housing densities consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan.

Projects

Updates

Sept.27, 2012

The city council held a joint study session with the planning commission and economic development advisory commission Oct. 22, 2012, to review the draft plan for the Ridgedale Village Center Study. City staff, stakeholders and various commissions were invited to attend. This meeting was a follow-up to the Aug. 1, 2012, initial concept presentation. Questions, comments and inquiries can be directed to Loren Gordon at 952-939-8296.

Aug. 2, 2012

LMN Architects were in town to meet with city staff, stakeholder participants and various commission and council members July 30 – Aug. 1. The purpose of the meeting was to provide a preliminary concept for the greater Ridgedale area, along with ideas for implementation and phasing. The meeting also focused on refining, adding, deleting or elaborating on ideas for the preliminary concept. A public open house was planned for later in the year to gather more public input. Input or ideas can also be provided to Loren Gordon at 952-939-8296.

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