Northfield Downtown Development Corporation

Gordon Van Wylen, former president of Hope College and amateur downtown revitalization expert, visited Northfield to share some of the wisdom gained from 20 years of working for the vitality of downtown Holland, Michigan with members of the EDA, the NDDC, and the Planning Commission in an informal gathering arranged by Rick Estenson early Friday morning.

Gordon stressed that it took much time and energy and that the work was never done but his photographs demonstrated the rewards of these efforts. He suggested that it took a clear shared vision, energized community leadership, and a willingess to trade ideas in an open forum. He emphasized that the ideas, expertise and skills exist within the community and do not need to be brought in from the outside.

He also stressed the importance, even when focusing on the big picture, of always remembering the connections, particularly the bicycle and pedestrian connections. In an ironic twist that amused several members of the audience, Gordon repeatedly pointed out the contribution to downtown vitality that was made by outside dining, including allowing privately owned seating to occupy public spaces.

Gordon left behind several handouts describing the history of their efforts and plans. You can count on me and Tracy Davis to summarize this information in future blog entries.

About 40 Northfielders used alternative methods of getting to work today (bicycles, feet, van pools) starting shortly after 6 am with Dan Kust , shown here with RENew Northfield’s Bruce Anderson, bicycling to his job with the Northfield Public Schools.

The weather was supportive of our efforts and everyone who stopped by to visit at Bridge Square enjoyed coffee, apple cider, doughnuts and stimulating conversation. Perhaps the most frequently heard statement was “I’ve got to do this more often”. Yup, that’s the spirit.

Dozens of Northfielders came down(town) to the Grand Event Center to participate in the Northfield Wine Club’s Spring Wine Tasting. The wine samples were provided by the Northfield Liquor Store and the cheese samples were courtesy of Just Food Co-op. The good times were the gift of all that attended.

Nationally, May 19th is Bike Safely to Work Day.

In Minnesota, Governor Pawlenty has declared it to be Bike Safely to Work Week.

Locally, RENew Northfield, northfield.org and the NDDC are sponsoring Bring Your Bike to Work by distributing coffee and doughnuts on Bridge Square from 6:30 to 8:30 am this Friday.

So this Friday, avoid paying those high gas prices, give the atmosphere a break, do yourself an exercise favor and earn the right to eat doughnuts in Bridge Square.

From trash receptacles, wayfinding signage and bike racks through Santa’s house, green corridors and ArtPlan’06, Northfield’s Director of Resource and Park Planning Howard Merriam (pictured here with myself and Director of Public Works Heidi Hamilton) has been there with his ears to listen and his biceps to help out. Now it appears that he may be squeezed out through a bureaucratic process. Shouldn’t city staff be rewarded for being responsive to the citizens?