NAFRS will hold public meeting on Facility
An Engineer took a core sample of the wood pilings underneath the current Fire facility on 5th street, NAFRS Chair Glen Castore reports that they’re “as good as when they were placed in 1970”. A special meeting of the NAFRS Board is scheduled for this Thursday from 9am to noon in the Northfield Police Station Conference Room on Riverview Dr. Castore said they will more thoroughly go through the Medin Report, which includes a detailed site plan. They’ll discuss items such as ownership of the building and cost of refurbishing it. He says, the estimate is close to what they thought.
Between renovation and expansion, which includes a 4500 sq. ft. garage, the cost is $2.8 mil. And then there’s another $400,000 in engineering costs, fees, bonding, etc. NAFRS invites the public to the meeting this Thursday. They want your feedback. NOTE: The resolution states the dollar amount as $3.5 million Click on the link for the full resolution which also includes transfer of ownership of the building Facility Special Meeting 8.11.16
Firefighters search for two
NAFRS was on the scene of an early morning fire where it was reported 2 people were trapped. Fire Chief Gerry Franek said the fire was reported in the basement of a home on 140th street west on the south side of Fox Lake. The homeowner believed there were two people in the basement. Franek said they arrived and did a primary search, extinguished the fire and did a secondary search and found no one. They were on scene for about an hour and a half. They were able to contain the fire to one room. Franek said, “as luck would have it the fire alarm his life [the homeowner] and probably the building, which is secondary value. Lives are always number one”. The Fire Marshal is investigating the fire. They know where the fire started but are still working out the details. The damage is contained to the one room. Once the smoke clears, residents can remain in the home.
Ice Sheet Task Force forms
Mayor Dana Graham formed a task force to consider possibilities for the Northfield Ice Arena. The group includes City Staff, Graham, and members of the business community, Northfield schools, Hockey association and St. Olaf College. St. Olaf is in the midst of building a sheet of ice now. The Task Force held their first meeting last week. Graham said they have to talk about all options. They’re putting things on the table with no conclusions. One question is whether the join St. Olaf and build a second sheet there (if it’s possible), if it’s not possible, then how many sheets and where would they put it. Graham said a needs analysis must be completed. They may consider partners such as Farmington, Lakeville and Apple Valley who currently drive to Shattuck-St. Marys for ice time. Graham said these ventures rarely make money but the value lies in “being an economic driver”. Getting “heads on beds” and out of towners in our stores and restaurants. Staff is collecting data. The group plans to meet tomorrow. Members include Chamber President Todd Bornhauser, Northfield Schools Athletic Director Tom Graupman, Hotel owner Jeff Haase, Businessman Brett Reese, President of the Northfield Hockey Association Chris Sorenson and St. Olaf VP and CFO Jan Hanson and Athletic Director Ryan Bowles. Mayor Graham has also asked Carrie Tinklenberg of the Northfield Skating Club to join the Task Force. She has not yet responded.
DJJD Ambassador coronation set for Friday
2015 Defeat of Jesse James Days Ambassador, Carolyn Meyer, was recently crowned the Minneapolis Aquatennial Queen of The Lakes for 2017. She is a Randolph high school graduate that was drawn to the program headed by Julie Eddy and Shelly Brady because of the focus on volunteerism and leadership development. Eddy downplays her role saying, “I think what’s really great about these young ladies is that we supply them with the tools but it’s really themselves that go out and put themselves out there, they use it. They just do a remarkable job”. She beamed as she talked about the young women involved, “they come out of the program with completely different skill sets and we just see such growth in all of the young ladies that go through this”. Commenting on Meyer, she said, “we certainly are very proud. We have some remarkable young ladies in Northfield”. Coronation for the 2017 DJJD Ambassadors and Jr. Ambassadors takes place this Friday evening at 6 at the Northfield Middle School. For more go to djjd.org.
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