The City of Northfield Public Works Department is inviting the community to learn about the final details of the somewhat controversial Wall Street Road improvements project this afternoon during an open meeting at the Northfield Golf Club.
The main purpose of the meeting is to allow those who own property adjacent to the project area to see the design plans, learn about construction disruptions and ask questions.
The project area runs along Wall Street Road from Fourth Street to Northfield’s eastern border, approximately 560 feet beyond the intersection of Rosewood Road.
After incorporating feedback from city meetings and online community engagement, the City Council selected a design that reconstructs the roadway, replaces the Spring Creek bridge, improves the storm sewer system, improves the water main system, extends the sanitary system, and adds a 10-foot shared use path that will connect to the future Mill Towns Trail.
The city believes the project will improve safety and mobility along the corridor for both pedestrians and bicyclists, bringing it in line with the city’s Complete Streets Policy and the Pedestrian, Bike, and Trail System Plan.
A portion of Wall Street Road is also designated as Rice County Road 79 making the project a cooperative construction effort between the City of Northfield and Rice County.
The Northfield City Council is tentatively scheduled to approve the final design plans sometime in April, after which the city staff will seek construction bids. Construction itself is planned to begin this summer and will not be completed until the end of 2025.
The meeting is scheduled from 5:30 to 7pm tonight at the Northfield Golf Club. For more information, visit the City of Northfield website.
Johnson praises Northfielders for support of the Arts Guild
The Northfield Arts Guild is gearing up for its 65th Anniversary in 2024. Since 1959, the Guild has been the center of Northfield’s thriving arts community promoting the visual and performing arts and offering a wealth of educational classes. Northfield Arts Guild Executive Director Michael Johnson said the calendar for 2024 is packed with exhibits and performances just in the next few months.
Gallery shows are a mainstay in the Arts Guild building, and the main gallery currently features an exhibition that combines textiles, sculpture and painting called Taking Up Space created by Anders Nienstadt and Stephen McKenzie. That show will run through the first week of February, after which, Johnson said, the gallery will host the annual All School Exhibition of work created by Northfield Art Students.
Many of Northfield’s youthful actors are currently preparing a production of The Hobbit. The play, adapted from J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic tale, will be presented by the Guild’s Purple Door Company, featuring a cast of nearly forty young people. Directed by Rachel Haider, the Hobbit will run at the Northfield Arts guild Theater from February 23 through March 3rd.
Johnson said Pauline Jennings has taken over curation of the 411 Music Series, which brings bigger name musicians from around the Midwest to Northfield. Last week, jazz and gospel singer Ginger Commodore gave a sold-out performance at the Guild theater. Coming in March, the Guild will present Julius Collins of the legendary Twin Cities R&B/Funk bands Greazy Meal and Dr. Mambo’s Combo, along with Tommy Barbarella who was a member of Prince’s band, The New Power Generation.
Also coming in March, Johnson said the formal celebration of the Guild’s 65th anniversary will be at the annual Gala. All of the work that is done and has been done throughout the Guild’s history is the result of dedicated volunteers, and he said the work done for the anniversary gala will be no different.
“It’s an organization that’s been really founded by volunteers. We have hundreds of volunteers help with all parts of the organization in both the performing arts and the visual arts, as well as education throughout the year. It’s a testament to this town. Not every community can say they have a thriving arts organization with a 65-year legacy.”
The Northfield Arts Guild 65th Anniversary Gala will be March 23rd at Armory Square. Johnson said more details will be made available soon.
Travelling Page Collection exhibit on display through January
Over the next two weeks, the Northfield Public Library will host a photo exhibition of artifacts from the Diane and Alan Page Collection. The exhibit illustrates experiences of race in America through African American art and photos of historical artifacts reaching from the 19th century to the 1960’s and even today.
Testify: Americana Slavery Today is a free exhibit featuring photos of the personal collection brought together by former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice, and NFL Hall of Famer, Alan Page and his late wife Diane.
This exhibit was originally presented at the Hennepin County Library in 2018 and was roundly praised for its power. Following the positive response from the public, the exhibition returned to the library last year. Looking to find a wider reach, Page’s daughter, Georgi Page-Smith, created the large-format, high resolution photo gallery as a traveling exhibit. The Page family hopes the exhibit will help bridge divides, deepen dialogue and encourage action on justice.
Prior to her death in 2018, Diane Sims Page wrote, “The objects in the exhibit juxtapose artifacts from our often-painful shared history with inspiring imagery and works of art that help us rise above it.
“By coming to grips with our past,” she said, “we can come together in the future.”
A statement issued by the City of Northfield said community members can use the exhibit to learn and reflect on the “power we each have to act for causes of justice.”
The traveling exhibit will be on display during regular library hours until February 1st. For more information on the Page collection, visit dapcollection.com.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
