By Rich Larson, KYMN News
The City of Northfield is taking another step toward redeveloping the surface parking lot at 5th and Washington Streets, a site long identified as a prime location for downtown growth. During a recent City Council work session, City Administrator Ben Martig and Community Development Director Scott Wopata outlined the senior housing cooperative development that is the latest concept under consideration.
Martig said the city has been “kicking the tires” on the property for years, looking for ways to activate the space beyond its current utilitarian role, stating that Northfield’s downtown is a “cherished asset,” where people gather, work, and shop. Developing the property would build on the downtown’s strengths, he said.
After exploring options that included a municipal liquor store, market rate housing and even a post office, the city now pivoted toward senior housing. A partnership between Street Front Development and Good Neighbor Homes has proposed a five-story senior cooperative with 50 to 60 units, underground parking, and amenities such as a fitness center, meeting rooms, and a clubhouse. The nonprofit Ebenezer, which has completed similar projects in Lakeville and Oakdale, is expected to manage the development.
The cooperative model, Wopata explained, aligns with findings from a recent housing study showing strong demand for ownership options for seniors looking to downsize. The 5th and Washington project would combine with the project under development with Gracewin Senior Living to meet that demand.
“There are a lot of seniors who are looking to downsize from their home, and they’re looking for an ownership option, not a rental. Our studies have really shown and put a number on it that we need about 100 units, a senior, non-income restricted owner ownership options. Gracewin is about 50. This one would be about 50. And so, we’re kind of getting close to the benchmark of where we intend to be from the studies we’ve done.”
Council members expressed general support for the concept but raised questions about priorities, including retail space, and parking. While the plan includes public parking at street level, early designs suggest a slight net loss compared to current capacity. Martig said creative solutions, such as diagonal street parking, are being explored. Retail space remains a high priority for the city, though council members acknowledged that some goals may need to be met elsewhere downtown. Particularly when the conversation turns to public restrooms.
“But I think the council thought there might be locations that are more centrally located than this one – which is more off the beaten path – to be able to get some restrooms in. I think that was a “Yes, and…” that they wanted to look at the public restrooms, but that would be one that they’d be okay with moving out of this project as a solution to that.”
The project is still in its early stages. No formal designs or financial analysis have been completed, and the council will revisit the discussion in February to provide direction. While there’s no sense of urgency, Martig emphasized the importance of keeping momentum, saying that the city is not in a rush, but they want to, as he put it, “stay diligent”, and see if this project can meet those strategic goals.
