Northfield Downtown Development Corporation

One of the most exciting things that the Northfield Garden Club announced (as part of their Northfield In Bloom initiative) at the NDDC’s April Forum was their plan to place flower boxes on the Pedestrian Bridge. I thought it would be a symbolic, but vibrantly visual, uniting of the east and west sides of the river.

Well, they’ve done it. Not that anyone who has met with these folks would think that they move slowly. However, it was a real treat as we were walking around Bridge Square this morning, planning placement for elements of the Taste of Northfield, to see the flowers down river.

It’s only the beginning…of all the beautification projects and celebratory events planned for Downtown Northfield this summer. So come on down(town) and share in the visual treats and fun activities. Everyone is not only welcome but appreciated…

…in Downtown Northfield.

More than a few people have suggested to me that maybe I should get a life. The energy and enthusiasm I devote to things like bike racks and way-finding signage strikes them as a bit over the edge. They’ll be recommending that I seek professional help after reading this latest post.

It’s about freshly painted crosswalks and parking spaces. A few years ago, the NDDC’s E R Team made a request to the then City Engineer, Heidi Hamilton, that the annual “spring cleaning”, including repainting the crosswalks and parking spaces, be performed at the beginning of our season of visitors. She turned to newly-hired staff person (and now Director of Public Services) Joel Walinski and he said, without hesitation, “We can do that”.

Well, Joel did it. And he continues, with his team, to get it done, every year, before the visitors arrive. Pictured is the corner of Washington and 4th, about 7 am this morning, May 21st, with a fresh coat of paint. St. Olaf’s Celebration Weekend is May 23rd through 25th, Northfield High School’s Graduation is May 31st, and Carleton’s Commencement Weekend is June 14th.

So, here’s a Big Downtown Northfield Thanks to Joel Walinski and his team at the City of Northfield. Working together we’ll sustain our vibrant and vital downtown.

Last night the City Council passed a new Ordinance that may end sidewalk dining in Downtown Northfield.

The NDDC has been working for about two years to encourage the City to allow the consumption of alcoholic beverages on the adjoining sidewalks by the customers of licensed vendors. Recognizing that the consumption of alcoholic beverages is a serious matter and should be handled carefully and responsibly if allowed on the public sidewalks, the NDDC researched the practices in other communities, around the state and country, to see what types of requirements might be put in place to insure the public safety.

We were therefore surprised when, sometime between the Council Work Session and the First Reading, a new Chapter had been inserted in the Ordinance that extended “the same requirements, review processes, fees, and conditions” to businesses that had long offered non-alcoholic beverages and food on the sidewalks in front of their establishments.

When the the NDDC asked that the new Chapter be dropped and that the Ordinance once again focus only on the consumption of alcoholic beverages by the customers of licensed vendors, City Attorney Maren Swanson agreed that when the Ordinance drafting began two years ago, it had focused on controlling alcoholic beverages and that the reference to non-alcoholic beverages and food and the new Chapter could be dropped.

Councilor Jim Pokorney came out strongly against such a move, however. He felt that the sidewalks belonged to the City and that they must be brought under control of the City. Councilor Pokorney went on to suggest that by adding more regulations, the City would in fact be facilitating business expansion. Councilors Davis, Denison and Vohs appeared to support Councilor Pokorney’s views and position. Mayor Lansing seemed to have concerns about it and Councilor Nelson clearly thought that it was a bad idea. I didn’t stay for the vote.

When the new language was introduced at the First Reading, I talked about it to some of the owners of businesses that currently offer this sidewalk option. These businesses have between four and six seats on the sidewalk and the owners said that if the application, inspections and fees are too much, it just wouldn’t be worth it for them to continue the practice.

So come on down(town) and enjoy a cup of coffee and a scone on the sidewalk. One of our best loved downtown delights may soon be coming to an end.

What’s that saying about the cobbler’s children and shoes?

Okeh, so apparently I’m the last blogger in town to comment on the recent appearance of the “I Love Downtown Northfield” buttons (thanks to NorthfieldDotOrg and LocallyGrown), produced by the NDDC. Fortunately, Board President Mary Rossing agreed to have her button photographed, so I have an attractive illustration for this post.

The button is the brain child of the NDDC’s Events and Marketing Committee. That can-do assembly includes Mary Rossing (Present Perfect), Linda Schneewind (digs), Ally Beyer (Rare Pair), Anastasia Balfany (NDDC Board), Tammy Rice (Stoneyhill), Pam Gillespie (Edina Realty), Abby Erickson (By All Means Graphics), Julie Bixby (Chapati/Contented Cow), and Nichole Maloney (Sweet Pea’s Loft). Mary described them as “a great group of talented and
enthusiastic women who LOVE downtown”.

Although the buttons may generate some income (we paid for the manufacturing but the design, distribution, and sales work is volunteered), that was not the reason for the initiative. NDDC Board and Committee Members, as well as more than a few average citizens, felt that Northfield could use a little positive attitude.

So, come on down(town), buy a button, and share the love. Perhaps smile…and maybe even giggle or wink.

As many of you know, I have a great fondness, some might say obsession, for artistic business signs, or, as I call them, sculptural signs. Therefore, I celebrate each new example of this art form that is installed in downtown.

This morning I noticed a new one. It’s for Monarch, at 405 Division Street. I think it’s really beautiful and, at the very least, quite colorful.

Not only is the main sign over the store sculptural, with a three-dimensional butterfly, but there’s another addition to our commercial streetscape. They’ve included a smaller sign that hangs perpendicular to the building that you’ll notice in the lower left of the photograph. I really love this type of sign; in my mind, they signal economic vitality from a block away.

So come on down(town) and check out Monarch’s new sign. Maybe stop on in and thank them for adding to the aesthetic appeal of our authentic shopping district.