By Teri Knight, News Director
That’s the first question new municipal liquor store manager Brian Whitt is asked. He said, “The short answer would be, we’re always looking for a new location. You almost have to be if it’s on the horizon.” While they [currently] have a prime location, there are challenges: “number one would be space. It’s a pretty small, small footprint right now. The other piece that we’re really focused on right now, too, is being able to offer accessibility.” The aisles [at the current location] are narrow and you have to go upstairs for wines and such. This discussion will continue. Whitt joined the Northfield “Muni” about nine months ago. He comes from a hospitality business in Bloomington. His full interview is HERE.
Dundas has a “cool little downtown”
Dundas Mayor Glenn Switzer stopped by KYMN studios with plenty of news about the city. The council approved moving one of their part-time police officers to full-time status, which means they’ll be hiring for part-time positions [and] they’ve got a new city hall set to begin construction as well as a 40-unit apartment complex within walking distance to downtown. Switzer added, “A couple of other things that are happening is, hopefully, there’s a makers’ studio coming to town. So you have these craft things that are happening from Martha’s on the corner to the craft brewery to a makers’ studio to outfitter where you can go rafting and canoeing on the river. It’s a pretty cool little downtown.” Switzer is also a woodworker; some of the trees that were cut down at the site of the new city hall are being stored to be cut into slabs for a city hall table, which he will construct. City Administrator Janelle Teppen said a substantial amount of work on the new city hall should be completed at the end of March 2020. She said they could technically occupy part of the space but the parking lot will not be done. The full transition will be in June or July of next year.
Nfld Council agenda includes public hearing on TIF funding, more $ for 2019 street projects and changes to 2020 projects
The Northfield Council meets tomorrow night. On their consent agenda is a motion to broaden the scope of work on the 2020 mill and overlay project to include looking at storm drain placement and improvements, bump-out analysis, and a protected bike lane replacing parking on the west side of College Street between Carleton College and the Weitz Center with staff to determine where the language is to be placed in the contract. This would add another $81,000 to the $442,000 project. There is a public hearing on the request for $1.8 million in TIF funding for the 5th Street Lofts project on 5th and Washington Streets. This is the public’s opportunity to express their opinion; additionally, the eComment is available online on the city’s website. Council will vote immediately following the public hearing. There’s a change order of $29,000 for the raised intersection at Division and 8th Streets as they plan to lower it and smooth it. There have been numerous issues with the Division and 7th Street project from last year with inferior concrete and the bump-outs at the business entrances. The Construction Contingency has a balance of $64,279. Staff is anticipating an additional $30,000 – $40,000 in work for the Division Street driveway modifications that were just completed. You have until noon tomorrow to comment online on any item on the agenda. Meetings begin at 6 p.m. and the public is encouraged to attend.
