By Teri Knight, News Director
The Northfield Council voted to approve Tax Increment Financing for the Spring Creek II affordable housing project this week. Mayor Pownell explains, “it captures those tax dollars from the level of taxes that are being paid currently to when the property will be improved and then they can put those dollars back into the property. It really helps to make the project possible from a financial standpoint”. There will be 32 affordable townhome units built in partnership with Three Rivers Community Action. Administrator Martig said the City needs housing of all kinds and they’re excited about this project. Pownell and Martig’s full interview is HERE. Related documents: 1 – Spring Creek II Presentation 3 – Spring Creek II summary 4 – 2020-001 – Planning Commission 5 – 2018-004 HRA Resolution
Nfld Council will take up channelizers at Aug. 4th meeting
The channelizers on the 4th St. Bridge, designed to separate fisherman and social distance pedestrians, as well as accommodate handicapped citizens,will be in place until August 7th. The Northfield City Council will revisit the issue at their August 4th meeting. The majority of the feedback KYMN has received has been negative and C. Ness, who voted against the experiment, said, “some people on the council have said that they’ve heard from their constituents that it’s a great thing, I’ve heard mostly negative, that it’s not necessary for what it’s trying to accomplish”. NAFRS Chief Gerry Franek remarked that the 9 ft driving lanes are not wide enough for emergency vehicles. If you have an opinion one way or another, let your Council member, the Mayor and/or City Staff know. Send an email for a record. You’ll also be able to comment online late next week.
City seeks public comment on Water St. closure between Bridge Sq. and the Dam
The City of Northfield is asking for input on permanently closing Water Street between Bridge Square and the dam, or seasonally closing it. Participate in a short survey by August 6 using Polco, a public engagement platform. Residents can participate by downloading the Polco app for Android or iOS, or visiting the city’s web page on Polco at polco.us/northfield. Residents’ individual information is never shared and cannot be accessed by the City. I have links from our website on this newscast. Results can be viewed on the Polco app and through the city website: ci.northfield.mn.us/surveyresults. Here is the full release from the City: Polco Water Street Survey
Bike ride to support SAVE tomorrow
Tomorrow is the Tour de SAVE in Northfield, a bicycle ride to raise awareness around suicide. Suicide Awareness Voices of Education Ex. Director, Dan Reidenberg explained that SAVE is the leading non-profit in suicide prevention nationwide, “it is also the leading organization around training, doing education both in schools and in communities. We have one of the few evidence based programs for schools in the world. We also provide grief support for those that have been impacted by suicide”. They also offer a unique program of peer support, someone who is struggling with suicide can talk with a peer mentor virtually, anywhere in the world. Reidenberg added, “we provide technical assistance to countries to states to communities across the world that are working in suicide prevention and need some more assistance as well as businesses”. With the tumultuous year 2020 has been, Reidenberg shared that they’ve seen an increase in anxiety and feelings of despair and uncertainty, however, they have not seen an increase in suicide. What they’ve learned from the past, he said, “however, after the pandemic ends, the past ones, and what we’re concerned about with this one is that we will see increases. We’ll see dramatic increases because the magnitude of what’s happened with this pandemic is so different from other ones. And the unemployment rate, which we have good research to show, the higher the unemployment rate the higher the rate of suicide”. Tour de Nick started in 2003 as with Bill Metz and Erik Bergh organizing the event around their riding friend and has grown nationally to become Tour de SAVE. Organizers Bergh and Jeff Christenson said this year will be different due to the pandemic. Go to SAVE.org for all details. Pre-registration closes at 5pm today but you can register tomorrow at Sechler Park beginning at 7:30am. There are multiple routes to choose from. All the information and their interview is HERE.
