Northfield Downtown Development Corporation

At this morning’s meeting (March 13), the Northfield Economic Development Authority voted to join the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce and the Northfield Downtown Development Corporation in recommending that the City Council fast track a policy change that will enable the expansion of sidewalk dining this summer.

The Chamber of Commerce Board had voted at their March 4 meeting in support of these efforts. The NDDC has been working on this issue for some time.

All three of these groups seem to believe that the experience of communities throughout the United States, and around the world, demonstrates that sidewalk dining encourages a pedestrian-oriented environment, helps to create a visually attractive atmosphere and streetscape, promotes expansion by existing businesses, and stimulates overall commerce in the community.

Together, step by step, we’re accomplishing great things.

It is true, I responded to Jaci Smith’s voice mail on the implementation of plans for downtown. Here is my complete e-mail to her on the topic:

Hello Jaci:

Good to hear from you. We greatly appreciate positive stories about the importance of downtown to overall economic vitality of Northfield.

Indeed, I had a lengthy conversation with Craig about this issue. I also sent him an extensive e-mail, following up on our conversation with further thoughts on the subject.

At the NDDC, we believe that although there may be a number of groups that speak up for our historic and authentic commercial and cultural center, there is only one organization that specifically advocates for downtown. In fact, that is precisely why the Founding Fathers, Bardwell Smith, Brett Reese, Jim Braucher and Keith Covey, created the organization.

Ironically, during work on one of those many studies, the DSU “Downtown Improvement Strategies” back in 2003, City Staff suggested creating a downtown organization. Then Chamber President Robert Bierman and then NDDC President Brett Reese responded by stating that this particular piece of the puzzle was already in place.

I cite this following story because I think it illustrates why implementation of ideas seems to move so slowly. For many months in early 2003, an ad hoc task force of the NDDC, the so-called “Action Squad”, walked the downtown, reviewed its strengths and weaknesses, conducted some analysis, did considerable research, and then presented their recommendations at a Council Work Session in July of 2003. The recommendations included way-finding signage, colorful new banners, trash can repair, and the addition of some bike racks in downtown.

The City responded with the hiring of DSU Research to do a study of issues affecting downtown Northfield. The NDDC’s Action Squad was told that their recommendations would have to wait until the DSU study was completed. The report was finished in December of 2003.

As a result of the consultant’s report, it appears that the City agreed that some aesthetic steps needed to be taken. They hired DSU for some additional consulting work and the Downtown Streetscape project was born. Fortunately, the Streetscape team agreed with the Action Squad and in the fall of 2006, we got six or eight bike racks installed in downtown. During this same period, the NDDC raised thousands of dollars in private money for colorful new banners and the City repaired the trash cans. The City also hired consultants to work on the design of the way-finding signage.

I think “the biggest issue” is that the private sector, the downtown stakeholders that are a part of the NDDC, and the public sector, city staff members who have part of their work portfolio relating to the downtown, need to find common ground on the prioritization of the use of scarce resources. The values and constraints of these two sectors are not completely the same and often it takes what can be a frustratingly, no doubt for both sectors, long time to find this common ground.

As I was recently advised on the property tax issue, if you think something is important, you can never give up. I think that the NDDC’s role will be to continue to advocate, working together with an ever-growing number of supporters, for policies that sustain and enhance our vibrant and vital downtown.

I would suggest that you might contact members of the NDDC Executive Committee, who I copied on this e-mail. In particular, you would benefit from connecting with Keith Covey. Keith was a founder of the NDDC, two-term Mayor of Northfield, and is the current Secretary of the NDDC Board.

Thanks again for your interest in and support of Downtown Northfield,

Ross

Indeed, I had a phone conversation with Craig Greene on stimulating investment in downtown. Here’s is my complete follow-up e-mail:

Hello Craig:

Just to be sure I’ve made myself clear on this topic, the NDDC has a proven approach and specific plans but with the turbulence in the economy, we need to stay somewhat flexible so we can be responsive. The rising costs of energy, the dropping values of homes, as well as the continuing changes in retail due to big boxes, the internet and foreign competition require the people at the NDDC, just like the downtown businesses, to constantly evaluate their efforts and make changes when advisable. When we go longer term, the unpredictability increases.

As you heard in Red Wing and Stillwater, it’s sometimes ten years before you see dramatic changes. You’ve got to keep plugging away year after year, believing that you’re going in the right direction, in the hope that your small accomplishments eventually add up, or multiply, into big changes.

As you know, the NDDC structures its work on a model that has been tested and proven for over three decades, the Main Street’s Four Points. It may seem simple but we have learned that it is so important not to think that any one thing will meet all challenges and take advantage of all opportunities. It takes more than Promotion, marketing and events, it takes more than Organization, increasing leverage and advocating, it takes more than Design, storefronts and streetscape, and it takes more than Economic Restructuring, tweaking the business mix and responding to critical issues, to achieve on-going downtown vitality.

In the area of Organizing, we are pleased that it appears that the City Council will create a Building Board of Appeals, We must continue to work to make sure that the entity meets the spirit of the intent. We will continue to advocate for keeping the Public Library and Liquor Store downtown. Of course, we will also continue to host our Monthly Forums, Quarterly Block Head Gatherings, and Annual Mixers.

As a result of a surge in interest from folks in supporting the NDDC, we’ve had many people join our Events and Marketing Committee. In our recent efforts to get more work done at the committee level, this group may lead the way in creating new initiatives. Getting greater leverage from the efforts in advertising, events, and promotions will be increasingly important.

For progress in the area of Design, we will continue our sometimes quixotic quest for additional bike racks. We will also continue to work closely with City Staff on the bigger picture streetscape planning and implementation. We have developed a particular interest in projects that offer better connections with the Cannon River. Finally, we will gather input, analyze information and make a recommendation on the matter of public toilets in downtown.

In the area of Restructuring, the issue of ever-rising property taxes continues to pose the greatest threat to downtown economic vitality. We are restarting our work with the City Council on an Outside Dining Ordinance and continue to explore the possibilities of a Downtown Management District. Finally, as part of the increased collaboration between the Four Economic Development Partners, the Chamber, the EDA, the NDDC and the NEC, we are going to pursuing coordinated Business Retention, Expansion and Recruitment efforts.

In our conversation, you and I focused largely on the area Design. As you so correctly pointed out, it is in this area that the most visibly dramatic changes occur. People notice projects like Village on the Cannon and The Crossing perhaps more than the complete restoration of the Bierman Building, the Scriver Building, or the Sitze Building. However, all of these projects, large and small, require private financing. There must be an environment that encourages private investment that makes it happen.

Perhaps it’s as simple as the public sector “priming the pump”. Using some combination of financial support or incentives, the city induced the Village on the Cannon and The Crossing project. However, the Bierman and Sitze projects were entirely privately financed. Were those projects induced by the NDDC’s banner program, Downtown Mixers or Taste of Northfield? Was the real reason that Mendota Homes decided to do The Crossing was seeing the private investment in the Bierman Building, the Scriver Building and the Sitze Building? Will the Old Bank Building at 5th and Water be redeveloped because of the inspiration and energy of the Arts Commission, the Skateboard Coalition, and the Kayak Association?

If we keep plugging away at the Four Points, maybe someday we’ll see some big projects like the St. James Hotel renovation and the next door Riverfront Center (and a handful of their many public parking structures) in Red Wing or the renovated Historic Carnegie Library (with adjacent parking structure) in Stillwater. I’ve been told by residents of Red Wing that they prefer our restaurant offerings and residents of Stillwater that they prefer our slower-paced shopping district. Hopefully, we will adopt their good ideas without forgetting our own wise choices.

We believe that Organizing for business-friendliness, Promoting for greater leverage, Designing for private investment and Restructuring for economic vitality will make a difference each month. As the months become years and the years become a decade, the changes will no doubt be visible. Hopefully, the end result will be recognizable as our current vision.

Thanks much,

Ross

Okeh, don’t expect me to do this every week. However, there’s so much going on this weekend that I’ve been asked by several people to post before Friday morning. Consider this a head start on the heads-up.

So, let’s start with tonight, Monday March 10. There’s a special edition of the weekly Nordic Jam at the Eagles Club, 7 to 10 pm, 304 South Water Street. Up on the western hill, there’s a film screening of “Double Indemnity”, part of St. Olaf’s Classic American Film Festival, 7 pm in Buntrock Commons.

Tuesday, March 11, there’s a discussion of the Housing Chapter of the Comp Plan at the Planning Commission Meeting (7 pm at City Hall) and I believe that this is considered to be an art form in Northfield. However, as former Chair of the Northfield Planning Commission, I’d recommend the Northfield High School Choir Concert, 7:30 pm in the Middle School Auditorium.

Then on Wednesday, it’s Willow Brae, harpist Andrea Stern and wind-player Laura MacKenzie, doing traditional Irish and Scottish music at the Lion’s Pause, on the St. Olaf College campus at 7:30 pm. Thursday, the Northfield High School Orchestra performs in the Middle School Auditorium, also at 7:30 pm. Finally, Chris Koza, St. Olaf alum and 2005 Minnesota Music Award Winner, plays at the Tavern Lounge, 212 Division Street; stop in for more details.

Things start to get really busy on Friday (March 14). There’s Cabin Fever Mini-Golf at the Northfield Public (Downtown Historic Carnegie) Library, with tee-offs at 6 and 8 pm. Here’s an opportunity to get rowdy in the library, don’t miss your chance. It’s a benefit for the Library Teen Board. At 6:30 pm, it’s the Northfield Arts Guild’s annual Auction for the Arts at the Guild’s Theater. Esteemed auctioneer Ed Kuhlman will lead a veritable Roman orgy of Italian wines, Mediterranean foods, and warm climed song and dance…oh yeah, and fantastic art by local artists. Proceeds support the Northfield Arts Guild. Finally, the Sizzling Eggheads will reprise their tribute to Jimi Hendrix, bringing the Cabooze experience to Northfield (and giving me an excused to post a picture of Hendrix), 7 to 11 pm at the Upstairs Rueb, 503 Division Street South.

Saturday starts off with the annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, with a parade down Division Street to the Grand Event Center, beginning at 1 pm. I’ve been assured that it’s also acceptable to celebrate St. Urho and St. Joseph too. Northfield born band Down Lo releases its sophomore album “In Our World” with an all ages 5 to 7 pm show and a 21 and older show from 9:30 pm to 1 am at the Upstairs Rueb. Next it’s the Northfield Historical Society Annual Meeting and Membership Ball, 7 pm in the Great Hall of Carleton College. The evening features Minnesota’s jazz favorite Christine Rosholt. The sixth annual Forcefield Cabaret is at the Northfield Arts Guild Theater at 7 pm. Find yourself surprised and/or impressed by the local talent that takes the stage for an evening of outrageous good times. Finally, if you haven’t gotten enough of celebrating saints already today, there’s the St. Urho’s Day Fest from 7 to 11 pm at the Eagles Club. There will be dance instruction from 7 to 8 pm followed by music and dancing with Multe and Finn Hall. Check out the great dance floor at the Eagles Club.

You’re probably pretty tired by now. Fortunately, St. Olaf offers a couple of restorative options. The spring concert of the St. Olaf Orchestra, 3:30 pm at Boe Memorial Chapel and a Guest Recital by Soprano Kelly Kaduce, 7 pm in Urness Recital Hall.

…at the ChARTdonnay Thursday, 5 to 7 pm, in the ArtOnWater Gallery, 217 South Water Street. The show features…and I can’t think of a better way to say it…the ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL art of Chris and Sue Holmquist and Laura Meddaugh. The Holmquists’ work all features a story-telling scene upon a pot and Meddaugh’s pieces share stimulating scenes that open onto landscapes of possibilities. It’s art that will be appreciated by audience members of all ages.

Up at Buntrock Commons, on St. Olaf’s hill, Jeanine Bassinger, professor of film studies at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut (have I mentioned that I’m a graduate of Wesleyan?) will present a lecture on the “classic American” film “The Star Machine” at 7:30 pm. A book signing will follow.

Northfielder Todd Thompson will play at the Tavern Lounge, overlooking the Wild and Scenic Cannon River at the back of the Historic Archer House, 212 Division Street. Stop in for more details.

On Friday, Monroe Crossing will play The Grand Event Center, 316 Washington Street. Hear what is considered “the best independent bluegrass band out there”; the Sawtooth Bluegrass Band opens, starting at 6:30 pm. The ArtOrg Winter Concert Series continues, with local Super Group, The Rice County All Stars, 7 pm at the Upstairs Rueb, 503 Division Street. The Carleton College Orchestra Concert is at 8 pm in the Concert Hall, including Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 in C “Jupiter” and Hindsmith’s “Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes by Carl Maria von Weber”, directed by Hector Valdivia. Finally, Dave Hudson will do his personal blend of acoustic-rock music at Froggy Bottoms, 305 Water Street, at 9 pm.

Saturday night features Autumn Leaves at The Contented Cow. The band members include David Beckey, Jon Busey-Hunt, Steve Kent, and Keith Paterson. The Northfield High School Choir Concert is 7:30 pm in Boe Chapel at St. Olaf. If you hunger for a little theater, it’s House Arrest, 2 and 7:30 pm at the Haugen Theatre on the St. Olaf College Campus; playwright Anna Deavere Smith explores how Americans continue to reinvent our national character even after 230 years of existence.

Finally, on Sunday, the Cannon Valley Regional Orchestra joins the Cannon Valley Youth Orchestra and the Northfield Harp Ensemble in concert with a repertoire that includes Tschaikowsky’s “Serenade of Stings” and Dvorak’s “Serenade of Winds”. It’s 3 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church.

…and a thanks to Gus DeMann for the photo…