As the city of Northfield continues the process of reinventing the downtown area, one of the main topics of conversation is parking. For many years, long before the downtown redevelopment plans were announced, business owners and those with interests downtown have expressed concern that there is not enough parking in downtown Northfield, and removing parking spaces is a very bad idea.
The city has proposed building a structure on top of the 5th & Washington Street parking lot that would be, among other things, a parking ramp to serve the downtown area.
During their most recent work session, the Northfield City Council heard a presentation from a company called Interstate Parking, offering help managing the parking that already exists downtown, which would include instituting paid parking in some of the parking spots along Division Street.
Northfield City Administrator Ben Martig said with a study of the parking situation completed, looking at managed parking solutions is the second phase of the city’s due diligence in the matter.
Will Schroeer, a member of the City’s Planning Commission and the Chair of the Northfield Area Transportation Commission, said a sound managed parking plan could allow for better parking options downtown, while possibly eliminating the need to build a parking structure.
The idea would be to create a common space for all downtown employees to park that Schroeer said would be well lit, comfortable, and plowed during the winter. The city would then identify key parking spots along Division Street that would require some form of payment to park, possibly after a short grace period. Instituting this plan, he said, would, in theory, make parking along Division Street easier to find, and enhance economic activity downtown. Schroeer said, the installation of a plan like this is not all that different from making home improvements.
“If you’ve ever had a contractor work on your house or do something else, often they’ll say you can have three things. It can be done fast, cheap and good – pick two. One of the things people might think about with parking is that you can have three things. You can have free parking, you can have parking that you can find easily, and you can have a thriving downtown. Pick two.”
While some may be skeptical of the idea, Schroeer said there are case studies in cities of a similar size to Northfield where the plan has worked quite well. The plan would include going to the community and ascertaining what the public wants from downtown Northfield. Martig said that, in fact, is a key component to the process.
“The main thing is this would be a shared approach to parking. We’re going to need a very collaborative and coordinated effort with our business community, as well as the general public, in order for something like this to be implemented or not. So, there’s a lot of time to learn about all the different options and see if this might make sense.”
Other components of the plan would involve incorporation of space on the west side of the Cannon River, including space on the west side of Highway 3, which would require better and safer pedestrian crossings, something the city has identified as a need regardless.
Schroeer said installing a parking plan should create more opportunity for economic development downtown, while allaying some of the concerns that have been expressed about the Downtown Redevelopment Plan.
“The goal isn’t to charge for parking on some principle because that’s what economics says you should do. The goal is to help this city achieve its goals, which are to help people come visit and know where they can park reliably, help employees know where they can park reliably, and help us be the kind of place that we want to be, which may or may not involve building a parking garage.”
Martig, meanwhile, stressed that this is only a preliminary conversation, and by no means is paid parking in Downtown Northfield a forgone conclusion.
Rich Larson’s full conversation with Northfield City Administrator Ben Martig can be heard here
Rich Larson’s full conversation with Will Schroeer can be heard here
Underdahl does not foresee any more clinic closures
Last month, Northfield Hospital + Clinics announced the Lonsdale Clinic practice will be closed and consolidated with the Northfield and Lakeville clinics.
Northfield Hospital + Clinics President and CEO Steve Underdahl said the people who work in the clinic and practice there will be transferred to other clinics and will remain within the NH+C system, and they will not be far from Lonsdale.
“If there’s a silver lining here it’s that patients will have the opportunity to transfer their care, so they’ll be able to keep the continuity of having the physician or other provider that they want to work with and stay within our system, just in a different building.”
Primary care provider Dr. Gregory Randall will see patients in the Lakeville Clinic. OB/GYN specialist Dr. Deb Suppes will see patients in the Women’s Health Center on the Northfield Hospital campus. Dr. Suppes will continue to perform surgeries at Northfield Hospital and deliver babies at the Birth Center. Certified Nurse Practitioner and Advance Practice Registered Nurse Jane Carlson will see patients in the Lakeville Clinic.
NH+C has announced several changes recently, including the closing of its long-term care center and the end of its hospice service. A statement issued by the organization said the Administration and the Board consider several criteria as they analyze service lines, including finances, mission, and commitment to serving local communities. The consolidation is part of that overall review of services to ensure the organization can serve the community for generations to come.
Underdahl said the closing of the Lonsdale Clinic means the rest of the NH+C system should be able to maintain their work, and he does not foresee more announcements like this.
“We don’t anticipate closing anymore clinics. We’ may have some other services that we need to continue to evaluate, but major programs and things like that, I think we are getting close to being where we need to be when we get done with this effort.”
Patients are being notified directly. Those with questions should contact NH+C Director of Clinics, Nicole Strusz-Mueller at 507-646-1003. The statement said the organization plans to sell the clinic building.
November 17 will be the last clinic day.
Final property tax deadline payment information
Today is the deadline to finish paying Rice County real estate property taxes.
Taxes may be paid online at the Rice County website at ricecountymn.gov, or by phone at 877-690-3729 using the jurisdiction code 3321. Paying from a checking or savings account is free of charge. A convenience fee does apply to all credit or debit card payments. Those who choose to pay in person may do so with cash, check or money order at the Property Tax & Elections Office at the Rice County Government Services Center in Faribault.
Taxes on Agricultural property and mobile homes are due on November 15th.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
