The Northfield City Council met in a work session last night, and the major topic on the agenda was the Downtown Redevelopment plan. With the departure of the Lander Development Group, the City of Northfield is taking the opportunity to re-evaluate the 5th & Washington Street development to ensure that the scale is appropriate for the needs of Downtown Northfield.
The plans call for a multi-phase project that would build a structure on the 5th & Washington Street parking lot that would be the new home of the Northfield Liquor Store and would include a 280-stall parking structure. The site of the current liquor store was to be redeveloped as a boutique hotel and a green space that would stretch along the Cannon River and connect with a newly redeveloped Bridge Square.
Two weeks ago, when the city announced that the Lander Group was no longer the preferred development partner for the project, Northfield City Administrator Ben Martig said the major sticking point was a lack of commitment from Lander that the 5th & Water Street project would be built immediately upon the completion of 5th & Washington, and that there would be some easing of the burden on the Northfield taxpayers in regard to the funding of the parking structure.
Nick Anhut of the Ehlers group, which serves as the financial advisor to the city, gave a presentation during the meeting that showed, in fact, that not only would the project not have offered any protection of the city’s financial commitment, but there was a near $2 million gap in the developer’s funding that the city would have had to address. Martig said the two parties could not come to an agreement on how to proceed.
Anhut, meanwhile, said an analysis of the project showed possible over-design of the parking structure, and his organization has recommended the project be, as he put it “right sized.”
Martig said the city is still committed to the project, but there is now no official schedule for design and construction. With the loan market and interest rates making construction projects more difficult, private development could now cause things to be delayed for at least a year. Martig said the city will continue to allocate resources toward moving the project forward.
Flanagan praises Spring Creek II as ‘a real gift’
The Spring Creek II housing development, consisting of 32 townhomes for modest income families with children, is now ready and new residents have been moving into the units since September.
Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan paid a visit to the housing development yesterday, along with Representative Kristi Pursell (D-Northfield), and Rinal Ray, the state’s Assistant Commissioner for Housing Stability.
Lieutenant Governor Flanagan was given a tour of two of the units by Jenny Larson, the Executive Director of Three Rivers Community Action, who was one of the developers of the project. There are 8 two-bedroom homes, 22 three-bedroom homes and 2 four-bedroom homes, with rent ranging from $878-$1685. Sixteen of the rental units are eligible for rental assistance through the Northfield Housing and Redevelopment Authority, four have been set aside for families that do not have stable housing and are receiving assistance from the South Central Human Relations Center, and another four are for people with developmental disabilities through Laura Baker Services Association.
The development itself, with its well-manicured lawns, comfortable interior designs, and all-around neighborhood feel impressed Lieutenant Governor Flanagan, who said she grew up in Section 8 housing, and she was especially happy for the kids who will live there.
“And as someone who grew up in an apartment with a Section 8 housing voucher, you know, this space is so beautiful. And I think about riding my bike in a circle in the parking lot and how these kids have this incredible space, this neighborhood. It’s a real gift to these families. But it’s also, I think, a gift to the community of Northfield.”
Representative Pursell thanked the Lieutenant Governor for coming to Northfield and Rice County. She pointed out that Flanagan’s visit can call attention to the fact that housing instability and homelessness is not just an urban problem. Assistant Commissioner Ray added that housing instability means something different to different families, and the fact that there are different ways to access the housing at Spring Creek II can be used as a model for other developments as well.
Lieutenant Governor Flanagan pointed out that the legislature allocated $1.3 billion for housing during the 2023 session, a massive increase from years past, which should help to support more developments like Spring Creek II across the state. Pursell said the development is an excellent example of how the state can play a role in easing the housing crisis and reducing housing instability.
Patience requested for in-person property tax payments
Rice County is reminding everyone that today is the deadline to make second half property tax payments for agricultural land and mobile homes.
Anyone paying in person may do so via cash, check or money order at the Property Tax & Elections Office at the Rice County Government Services Building in Faribault. Those offices are currently being remodeled and there is a lack of space at the moment. The County is asking for patience with taxpayers who show up to pay their taxes in person.
Property taxes may be paid 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/debit card payments. Payments may also be made online at the Rice County website at ricecountymn.gov.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
