Nfld Council takes the 1st step for Transit Hub
Last night the Northfield Council took another step toward creating a Transit Hub to accompany the Northfield Depot at Hwy 3 and 3rd street. The Save the Northfield Depot nonprofit has worked non-stop since 2008 to see their full dream become a reality and it inches ever closer with a 6 to 1 vote to approve the first phase of solidifying the site for a Hub, which is a City project. $30,000 to 40,000 will be used for consulting services for design and construction prep documentation out of the $150,000 earmarked from the TIF 4 dollars. City Administrator Ben Martig explains
that the City’s component is to look at the design of the access road more closely and improvements to make sure that it’s designed in a way to serve as a good location. Martig said it’s not overly complicated but they do want to accommodate buses of all sizes. In terms of design, staff wants to make sure it has a long life. He said, “if we’re going to make an investment on an access road for buses we want to make sure that it serves the needs for a long period of time”. The focus is on the road right now. They’ll bring Hiawathaland and Northfield Lines to the table. Martig says he knows both of them will use it immediately. They’ll send proposals out right away with the hope of getting the bids to Council in December. STND’s Alice Thomas shared news she just received that Union Pacific is going to give them unsolicited funds of $5,000 toward anything they need! An official had come down this summer after Thomas had applied for a $3,000 grant. The $5,000 is in addition to that.
Heineman finalist for Rosemount for Admin job
Northfield Community Development Director Chris Heineman was the City Administrator for Kenyon before coming to Northfield. Due to a retirement, Heineman now has an opportunity as Administrator in Rosemount. He’s been selective in looking at opportunities. This is one he’s considered due to location but also the “tremendous growth” and “economic development” opportunities. Including UMORE Park. Heineman said this has a “pretty exciting potential”. It’s 3,000 acres of land for a number of projects which is in their Comprehensive Plan. He will be interviewing this weekend. Due to the elections, the Rosemount Council won’t likely be voting on a candidate until mid November. Heineman commented this is truly not for any urgency to move on but a career opportunity. He said “Ben’s doing a wonderful job as City Administrator from a staff perspective”. He’s one of four finalists and said, If not chosen Heineman said he’s perfectly happy here in Northfield.
There will be a Northfield Mayoral candidate forum this evening at Carleton at 7 o’clock in the Great Hall. Mayor Dana Graham and Councilor Rhonda Pownell will field questions from a panel of student moderators. The idea is to introduce the candidates to the students who are now residents and allowed to vote here. Peter Bruno and Nick Cohen are students at Carleton and members of the Northfield Initiative. They along with the Center for Civic and Community Engagement are hosting the event, which is open to the public. Their interview is online at kymn.net.
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