Manawa, LLC, a subsidiary of Rebound Partners, and the company that owns and manages what was the site of the Archer House, gave an
update last week on the plans to redevelop the area.
A statement released by the company said after the demolition of the building and clearing of the site, they have moved into “Phase Two” of the redevelopment plan, which entails determining the programing, functionality, and design of the new building. Oertel Architects, a St. Paul based architecture firm specializing in municipal architecture and historic restoration has been retained after a selection process that included presentations from five separate firms.
The company has also convened a Community Task Force that includes downtown business and property owners, community leaders, and representation from St. Olaf and Carleton College and the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce. This group will meet from time to time with the architects and the Manawa leadership to provide opinions, insight and suggestions on the concept and design of the new building which will include, according to the statement, “hospitality rooms and apartments, along with commercial and restaurant space.”
Finally, the statement said the public will be able to attend two-to-three “sharing, listening, and comment sessions,” where the design of the new building will be presented.
The owners have designated a leadership team that is well aware of the significance and importance of this redevelopment. Their goal is to create a building that fits well within the character of its setting in the historic downtown district.
The statement said they hope to offer the first design presentation next month.
Lippert says disparity at the Capitol is a ‘values difference.’
As the State Legislatures moves into the Easter/Passover break this week, which is the unofficial midpoint of the session, the goals for what both the Republicans and the Democrats want to do with the $9.3 Billion state budget surplus have been very clearly defined, and the space between the two parties is substantial.
Representative Todd Lippert said that space is a values difference. His party, he said, wants to help families and workers better afford their lives. The DFL has proposed $2 Billion in housing programs that will build more affordable housing across the state, provide rental assistance and fund homelessness prevention programs. They have proposed a $3,000 tax credit for childcare that would apply to parents of children up to five years old, and a $1,400 tax credit for those making payments on student loans.
And he said, the DFL is proposing $3 Billion dollars in education funding. Democrats want to give school districts more money for English language learners and mental health programs. They want to fund programs to address what he called “the Achievement Gap by race.”
In contrast, Senate Republicans have proposed an $8.3 Billion tax cut. With budget surpluses nearly becoming the norm, they argue, the state is collecting too much in taxes and tax policies should be relaxed.
Lippert’s retort to the argument is that an across-the-board tax cut gives a financial windfall to people who do not need the help, and that the legislature should be focusing on helping Minnesotans who need it the most. Furthermore, he said, eliminating $8.3 Billion dollars from state revenue will hamper the ability to support infrastructure in the future, and would keep the state from meeting its responsibilities.
“If we could address the Special Education Cross Subsidy, that would be a huge boost to school budgets. They wouldn’t need to be going to the local communities for basic needs, as we have seen pretty regularly over the last ten years in Northfield. And this is happening across the state. So, we know there are places where we could be targeted in our approach to use these funds to address big needs. It would put the whole state a step ahead.”
Lippert said legislators have a job to do and an opportunity to fix a lot of problems right now. Tax cuts, he said, are not the answer.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Representative Todd Lippert can be heard here
Preparations underway for the return of NHS’ Arts a la Carte
Two years after it was last presented at the Northfield High School, Arts a la Carte will make its post-Covid return next week, celebrating the
work done by the high school arts departments.
One of the teacher-leaders of the event, Katherine Norrie, said Arts a la Carte is a student run and organized event that is part art fair, part art festival, and all-around party featuring visual arts, music, dance, theater and more.
“This is the night when all of our departments come together and really shine,” she said.
The event will feature a gallery filled with art created by any student who wishes to enter a piece. There will be 15-20 “Make and Take” art activities from face painting and Shrinky Dinks to zentangle bags and clay wheel lessons. Each Honors Art Student will have their own booth where they will show their work, discuss their vision, possibly demonstrate their technique, and have an activity for each visitor.
Music will be performed in the lower cafeteria along with roaming musicians throughout the festival. And, Norrie said, the organizers are hopeful the theater department will be able to offer a short preview of the upcoming Spring Play.
Among the new features for this year, will be a Maker’s Fair, featuring students working at weaving, woodworking, and even welding, she said. And, as the event falls on April 22, the high school Environmental Club will have a booth featuring art for Earth Day.
Arts a la Carte began in 2000 and had become a very popular celebration by 2019. Norris said they were looking forward to the 20th anniversary of the event when it was shuttered for two years due to Covid-19. This year, she said, they are celebrating the deferred 20th anniversary, and she is hopeful that the community will remember how much fun the celebration can be.
“In 2019 when I did the ticket count at the end of the night, we’d had 1200 visitors. [But] memories before Covid are a little foggy. So, to just reignite this, I was saying it’s like waking up a sleeping dragon. It’s a giant party, and you hope people come to the party again.”
Arts a la Carte will be April 22nd from 6-9pm at the Northfield High School. Admission is $3 at the door.
Rich Larson’s full conversation with Northfield High School Art Teacher Katherine Norrie can be heard here
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
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