Nfld HRA funds “workforce housing” programs
The City of Northfield has a fund to help low and moderate income families with downpayment assistance. Northfield HRA Housing Coordinator Janine Atchison said, “this is basically working toward the goal of providing workforce housing in Northfield. It’s a loan of up to $10,000”. More information is on the City’s website ci.northfield.mn.us. The HRA is also exploring the development of 11 acres they own near the soccer fields, “it’s in very preliminary stages, there’s no actual plan yet but they are, in fact, working towards the goal of developing additional housing”. Atchison says there are plenty of people who work in Northfield but can’t afford to live here. The goal is to close the gap in workforce housing.
Pownell sets priorities
Mayor-elect Rhonda Pownell has already started working on her priorities, “one of the things that I’ll be doing is meeting with people on a regular basis, City Council people, people out in the community… just taking the time to listen to what their thoughts are and how they think we should be moving forward”. She’s also working with City Administrator Ben Martig on filling positions on the Boards and Commissions and also filling her At-Large Council seat for 2017. There will then be a special election to complete the term. Pownell will be working on the Comprehensive Plan this year. As for strategic planning, she said there are 2 things, “one is, really, a working document. Here’s what you want to get done wthin the next year or two years because councils changes over every 2 years”. She added, “then I think there’s really important for the Council to be doing more long range thinking. What’s going to be happening through 2030 that we need to be planning for today?”. Pownell believes the Comprehensive Plan and strategic planning are a 3 step process which includes something very specific you get done with in 2 years, long-range thinking of things affecting the City in 10 to 20 years and then the Comprehensive Plan which she called a “guiding, visioning document” which brings continuity.
Dundas dome inflates!
If you were out and about along Hwy 3 this weekend, you couldn’t miss the Dundas Dome which appeared to be swallowing the Maurices sign. The 91,000-square-foot facility can accommodate two NCAA regulation softball games at the same time. Youth and Adult leagues have been signing up for soccer, softball and flag football. Carleton college will buy time for Spring softball. Local residents Mike and Sherry Foster and Paul and Shelly Whiteman had a vision as they drove their children from place to place for practices, they discussed with First National Bank and Dundas officials and broke ground in June. The plan is to be open yearly between November 1st and April 30th. The Dome is deflated for the summer.
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