One of the decisions made by the City Council on Tuesday night was the passage of a resolution supporting the new projects introduced in July that will redevelop Downtown Northfield.
The plan calls for a four-story building to be constructed on the Washington Street parking lot that will include space for the new Municipal Liquor Store, the United States Post Office, housing space, retail space and an inner structure containing 280 parking spaces.
A hotel will be built on the corner of 5th and Water Streets. Water street itself will be closed between 5th Street and 4th Street and more green space will be added along the Cannon Riverfront. The current site of the Post Office will be redeveloped and right now all signs point to it becoming the new home of Loon Liquors. Combined with the plans to redevelop Bridge Square, the projects will dramatically change the complexion of the Downtown area, which is exactly what the city is hoping for.
Northfield Mayor Rhonda Pownell said the projects will address key initiatives and goals set by the City Council including adding more downtown housing options, changing the city’s parking philosophy without depleting the number of parking spots, adding more hotel rooms and dining options, and being creative about the process to further enhance the Downtown Northfield experience.
The mayor said the new building on the Washington Street parking lot is emblematic of what can happen downtown.
“I think the fifth and Washington project, especially, has had a lot of effort to see how we can create something that’s unique and attractive that will add value to that area over there. Right now, it’s just a flat parking lot. It’s serving a need, but there’s so much more that could be done.”
There is plenty of criticism surrounding the project as well, with concerns about the cost to the city and the design of the new buildings at the forefront. City Administrator Ben Martig said the city does not have complete cost estimates yet, but they will be made public when they are available. And the design of the buildings has not yet been finalized. In fact, he said, those with opinions on how the building should look should be in touch with the city right now, while the design phase is still in process.
“We have project pages on the website. People can get signed up if they want to follow those. There are updates available. We’re filling in some side block gaps and there are some trail improvements. So, Now is the time to hear from people. We want feedback on these things.”
An ambitious timetable has been laid out for the 5th & Washington Street project that would include the breaking of ground this March. In fact, Mayor Pownell has said she would like to see both the 5th Street projects happening simultaneously. Members of the City Staff have been quietly skeptical that it would be possible but are under instruction to look into the idea.
Clay Tour will feature local and regional artists
The ceramic artists of the Northfield area are inviting all members of the Northfield community and beyond to the annual Cannon River Clay tour. Hosted by local clay artists and featuring guest artists from around the country, this self-guided studio tour and sale includes a broad range of professional ceramic work.
The tour will offer four locations, all of which are local pottery studios. Each location will feature the home artist and several others displaying their wares.
Among the artists whose work will be on display and available for purchase are Colleen Riley and Donovan Palmquist at their Eureka Pots studio. They will be joined by James LaChance, Julie Shibata, Kenyon Jansen, Alisa Holen and Sam Johnson.
Glynis Lessing will open her studio, Larchill Farm, joined by Barb Zavaruha, Ryan Myers, Nick Devries and Margaret Kinkeade.
Kelly Connole (kuh-NOLE) will host Joel Froehle, Chris Singlewald, Audra Smith and Olivia Tani in her studio. And Holmquist Pottery hosts Chris and Sue Holmquist will be joined by Steve Hemingway, George Lowe and Christie Clark.
The Cannon River Clay Tour will run this Saturday and Sunday, August 19th and 20th from 10am until 5pm both days. For more information, visit the tour’s website at cannonriverclaytour.com.
School Board will hear presentations from Community Education and ALC tonight
The Northfield School Board will meet tonight in the Northfield School District Office Boardroom, at the District Office building.
After a lighter summer schedule, this will be the resumption of the board’s twice monthly meeting schedule in preparation for the 2023-2024 school year. Among the items on the board’s schedule will be Continuous Improvement Plan presentations made by Erin Bailey who is the District’s Director of Community Education, and the Director of the Alternative Learning Center, Daryl Kehler. Northfield Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matt Hillmann will ask the board to vote on the creation of a half-time Grant Writer position, and he will present the board with an advertising contract with LMR Media, which operates the Northfield Live video broadcast company, and arranges advertising on KYMN radio.
The School Board will always invite public comments from those who live in the Northfield School District, and time for public comments to be made is scheduled at the beginning of each meeting. Registration is required to address the School Board. A 30-minute registration window for those wishing to speak will open when the boardroom opens at 5:30.
Tonight’s meeting will begin at 6:00
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
