This just in from Heidi Hamilton, Director of Public Works for the City of Northfield:
“The work on Division Street has been delayed one week. The contractor is now planning to close Division between 5th Street and 6th Street beginning Monday, November 1. The closure will last approximately one week, depending on the weather.”
Heidi Hamilton, Director of Public Works for the City of Northfield, has given us a “heads-up” that next week, starting Monday, October 25th, the 500 Block of Division Street will be closed. The Armory and the VFW are upgrading their fire-suppression systems and this requires upgrading the water pipes beneath the street.
Let’s continue patronizing the 500 Block businesses during this work, including: Agora, Alamadia Oriental Rug Gallery, Hoffman’s Photography, Northfield Veterinarian, BookFellows, Buzz Salon, B & L Pizza, DuFours’ Cleaners, Willie’s Shoes, Fine Groove Records (and CDs), Northfield Insurance, and J. Grundy’s Rueb-N-Stein.
or “How Coffee Fueled Creativity in Downtown Northfield”
The story behind the new Wayfinding Sign in the middle of Bridge Square is an interesting one.
Dan Bergeson, Jim Bohnhoff and I were meeting about the NDDC’s Welcome First Year Students Campaign one afternoon at Blue Monday. The NDDC had decided to put maps of Downtown businesses in the boxes of the 1,200 first-year students at both colleges.
In walked Howard Merriam, Director of Parks for the City of Northfield. “Hey, cool map”, he said.
When the NDDCers told him what they were up to, Howie said, “Well, we’re done with the Crosswalk sign, I could just put your map up on the sign. After all, we’ve already got the signposts sunk in the ground”.
Thus the first of the Downtown Wayfinding Signs was “erected”. No doubt you’ve seen many a visitor, or a resident for that matter, using the sign to find their way to one of Northfield’s fine downtown establishments.
An excellent example of Private-Public Partnership…and an example of the powerful effects of good coffee on creativity.
Howard (R) appeared with Director of Public Works Heidi Hamilton at our June 1 NDDC meeting.
(Editor’s note: Tiny’s is not on the sign. Stop in at Tim’s place for what many people are calling the best lunch value in downtown.)
The Exapansion and Redevelopment Committee of the NDDC, known as the E. R. Team, held another Block Head Gathering last week. About two dozen folks showed up at The Rueb for coffee, doughnuts and discussion.
There was an update on the Downtown Revolving Loan Fund, particularly the under $10,000 category. Loans of this size require no collateral and no match.
Joe Grundhoefer recently used the program to build his nifty new Rueb ‘n’ Stein garbage enclosure. Contact Deanna Kuennen at the City to find out more about this EDA program.
A “heads-up” on the Downtown Inventory was given. DSU delivered a report to the City Council and many of the NDDC Action Squad’s recommendations on downtown infrastructure were included. City staff will be conducting public forums over the next 30 days or so. The NDDC and the Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a public forum on the topic, with presentations from City staff and opportunties for public input, at the November General Membership meeting on WEDNESDAY (yes, Wednesday), November 3rd, 8 am, at the Archer House.
A discussion was conducted on the State of Business Downtown and recent events to promote foot traffic. The NDDC’s “Welcome Students” initiative and the Chamber’s “Fall Fest” were highlighted. It was mentioned that Country Living Magazine will be covering this year’s “Winter Walk”.
Speaking of nifty Garbage Enclosures, the topic of Downtown Garbage Handling was introduced. The E. R. Team has conducted several tours of Downtown Garbage Sites (19 and still counting) and has some shockingly graphic pictures. The Team’s recommendation for improving this situation is COMBINE receptacles, CONTAIN (visually) with screening, and COORDINATE pick-up schedules. The E. R. Team will be following up with owners of 3 sites to move forward on this matter.
There was then a spirited discussion of Downtown Code Enforcement, particularly Section 1306. Many downtown building and business owners have talked about the high cost of retrofitting historic structures. Deanna Kuennen suggested that the City and the NDDC jointly host a discussion between City Inspector John Brookings and interested building and business owners. The NDDC is working with the City to set up this meeting.
Finally, the recent spate of incidents of Vandalism, particularly on the Westside was raised. There was much speculation about the source of these incidents and possible ways to address them. Chief of Police Gary Smith has offered to meet with downtown building and business owners to talk about the issue. He will be invited to the next Block Head Gathering.
St. Olaf President Chris Thomforde (L) and Carleton President Rob Oden before a full house.
(L to R) Bardwell Smith and Ray Cox listening to Carleton President Rob Oden
St. Olaf President Chris Thomforde (L) gets the Malt O’ Meal “cereal bowl” prep talk from NDDC President Dan Bergeson.
