The next Third Thursday meeting is happening this Thursday, May 16 at 7:30 am at Hope's Silver Spoon Restaurant at 67th and Penn. These meetings give neighbors (both residents and business operators) the chance to meet, communicate area happenings and work to ensure the success of the Penn Central community.

This month's meeting will focus heavily on Penn Avenue road and bridge closings.

• Discover the details about this summer's Penn Avenue bridge deck reconstruction from Ron Rauchle, MnDOT west area engineer.
• Discuss the challenges of attempting to travel north of the Crosstown on Penn Avenuw with Minneapolis project enginner, Stephanie Malmberg
• Learn about the planned detour for Penn Avenue during Open Streets at Penn Fest on Sunday, September 15th

Plus we'll talk about the Penn Central Fire Station reconstruction and other community updates. 

In a world of smartphones, iPads, laptops and other technical gadgets, the typewriter seems like a distant memory of the past. But Vale Typewriter, 6319 Penn Avenue South, Richfield, keeps going as one of the few typewriter businesses still operating. Interestingly enough, business seems to be picking up according to a recent video produced by the St. Paul Pioneer Press. According to the video, much of the uptick in business is coming from younger people who have a growing fascination with typewriters.  If you have a typewriter you'd like to have serviced, or have any questions about typewriters, call Vale Typewriter at 612-869-3664.

The video features an interesting interview with Mark Soderbeck, owner of Vale Typewriter. To view the video, click here.

Neighborhood meeting goes on

About a dozen brave souls ignore wintery weather to discuss community issues

Thursday, April 18 was a frightful night weather wise, with a snowstorm more reminiscent of January than April. But that didn't stop a determined group of neighborhood enthusiasts from showing up at Hope's Siver Spoon Restaurant to discuss what's happening in the Penn and 66th area.

Ruth Tripp from Bloomington Health reported the results of a survey taken to get feedback about last year's Open Streets at Penn Fest event.   Overall, attendees, businesses and participants were enthusiastically favorable to the event, and they indicated a desire for the event to return. (Their wish will be granted with a scheduled return of Open Streets at Penn Fest on Sunday, September 15.) The complete summary of the surveys will soon be published on this site.

Wayne, Kewitsch, the Fire Chief of the Richfield Fire Department, discussed plans for the renovation of the firestation at Penn and 64th. Chief Kewitsch said the department will re-examine costs and bids associated with the renovation. Some costs have come in higher than first anticipated, and the department wants to be fiscally responsible with taxpayer money. Most of the renovation will be to modernize the interior, but the exterior will be given a facelift, too. There are also plans for extensive landscaping, especially on the southside and Oliver Avenue side of the firestation.

Tentatively in July, work will begin to rebuild the deck of the Penn Avenue bridge over 62 Crosstown.  The bridge will be closed during this reconstruction, perhaps as late as October. Improvements will include a newly surfaced deck and wider sidewalks. 

Plans for Open Street at Penn Fest 2013 were discusses. The popularity of Open Street events was noted.  Two other Open Streets events will be held in the Twin Cities on the same date as the Richfield event. To help people get up and down the avenue, and to ideally introduce people to the fun of biking, Penn Cycle will offer some loaner bikes on the day of the event at select stations.

The next Penn Central Third Thursday meeting will be held on May 16 at 7:30 am at Hope's Silver Spoon Restaurant.

Our community celebration!

Mark your calendar for the next Open Streets at Penn Fest on September 15, 2013!

Planning for Open Streets at Penn Fest 2013 is underway. This year we are hoping to have more activities, more participation form local businesses and even more visitors on the day of the event. Richfield Public Safety estimated that last year's event drew approximately 7,000 people. We hope to beat that number in 2013.  Open Streets at Penn Fest will be held on Sunday, September 15, 2013. Offer your ideas for what you'd like to see at the event by entering your comments on our Facebook page.

Richfield Girls Softball

Penn Auto Care is on the lookout for more players

Penn Auto Care, 6724 Penn Avenue South, is calling for more players on the Richfield Girls Softball program with a message on their sign.  The softball program offers fun, active participation and good team-building experiences for girls. For more information, check out the Richfield Girls Softball Association website by clicking here.

The Penn Central of Richfield neighborhood continues to see signs of renewal. The plan to remodel the Richfield fire station at Penn Avenue and 64th Street is the latest example. In recent months, the City of Richfield has been working on a design to renovate the fire station, whcih is in need of both aesthetic adn functional upgrades. The artist drawing of the planned exterior upgrade was recently released for public view. The design shows an eye-catching, contemporary look that will enhance the neighborhood.

The interior of the building will be renovated, too.  The living space inside the station will be moderized to provide greater comfort and convenience for the firefighters on duty. The station will also be reconfigured to accommodate both male and female firefighting professionals.

The design concept shows the Penn Central name on the station, which is much appreciated in our community effort to build a stronger sense of identity.  

The Penn Central of Richfield group would like to thank the City of Richfield, the fire department and Richfield Fire Chief Wayne Kewitsch for their leadership in investing in the appearance and function of the fire station. This station is an important asset that serves the entire Richfield community.

We just found a fun video taken inside the Richfield Lunds at Penn & 66th. The people behind the do.town campaign organized a dance event their YouTube page descrives as a flash mob of "dancing diva" seniors. The goal of the do-town campaign is to get people of all ages to be more physcially active. 

To watch the video, click here.

Scene from last year's Open Streets at Penn Fest event are featured on a video produced for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. Our Richfield event was highlighted along with similar events held in other communities.  Watch the video now to see how our community came together to enjoy a beautiful day in the neighborhood. 

To view the video, click here.

Watch for Open Streets at Penn Fest coming Sunday, September 15, 2013.  Plans for this year's event are being made. Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and check back to this website for updates and announcements!

Sun Current 2013 Readers' Choice Winners Announced

Eleven Penn Central of Richfield Businesses Named as "Best"

Fraser recently received a grant from the Richfield Foundation to use as part of a planned playground renovation at the school located at 2400 West 64th in the Penn Central of Richfield neighborhood. Deedee Stevens-Neal. Director of Fraser, is shown second from the left in this photo of grant recipients. The grants were awarded at the Richfield Municipal Center during a City Council meeting. 

Other organizations that received Richfield Foundation grants include Cornerstone, Loaves and Fishes, Mira, Oasis for Youth, Richfield Dual Language School, Richfield Environmental Learning Fund, and the Richfield Transitions Fund.