Plans presented to the Richfield City Council for redevelopment of the Kmart site at 66th and Lyndale show 347 parking spaces, an LA Fitness center, a Goodwill store and an undesignated building, probably a retail store or restaurant. (Wellington Management and Collage Archtects drawing)

Wellington Management's proposed redevelopment of the former Kmart property at 66th and Lyndale got a warm reception from the Richfield City Council on Tuesday night but not an uncritical one.

Company President Steve Wellington said plans include:
- demolition of the current Kmart building
- a 45,000 square foot LA Fitness center
- a 22,000 square foot Goodwill retail store
- a 4,500 square foot retail building--probably a restaurant--on the corner of 66th and Lyndale
- 347 parking spots
- a construction start this year.

Council members were generally positive about the plan, with a couple of exceptions.

Mayor Debbie Goettel said she was "underwhelmed" by including a Goodwill in Richfield's downtown, though she said she'd be happy to see a store elsewhere in the city.

"I am supportive of the project in concept," she said. "I'm not sure I think that's the perfect place for it."

Councilmember Sue Sandahl told Wellington it is important that the development "fit" the rest of the corner.

"If I had it to do over again, (we) wouldn't have let Kmart put its back to 66th Street," she said. The site plan presented Tuesday night shows the main entry for LA Fitness facing the parking lot.

Sandahl also said she hoped sculptures would be a part of the finished site and raised concerns about so much space being dedicated to parking.