Northfield Downtown Development Corporation

At their December meeting, the NDDC Board outlined the organization’s Work Plans for 2009. Moving clockwise and starting from the left are: Mark Quinnell, Leanne Stremcha, Anastasia Balfany, Dave Shumway, Joe Grundhoefer, Mary Rossing, Keith Covey, Dan Bergeson, Rob Schanilec, Greg Kneser, Robert Bierman, and Jessica Paxton.

As is the NDDC’s on-going practice, the projects and programs are organized by the Four Points of the Main Street approach created in 1977 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Board envisions a vigorous start for 2009. The final draft of the Work Plans is presented below:

ORGANIZING:

(Board and Executive Committee)

• Re-establish a finance committee.

• Each board member should take on at least one project.

• Need administrative help for executive director in critical areas.

• Two meetings per year with Boards of Economic Development Partners

• Hold six forums and four Block Head meetings in ’09.

• Conduct Twelve Board Visits to Businesses in ’09.

(PR and Communication Committee)

• Increase regular communication with partners and stakeholders

• Finish update of integrated database of partners, stakeholders, and downtown businesses.

• Begin assembling and analyzing baseline market data

• Ship Beta-Stage Retail Index Reference Project in ’09.

PROMOTING:

(Events and Marketing Committee)

• Continue our sponsored promotions, cooperate with other organizations’ promotions and support collaborative efforts of retailers.

• Make progress on a “Virtual Division Street” program.

• Determine use for the new-resident data we get from Welcome Services for You.

• Hold Annual Meeting in ’09.

DESIGNING:

(Design and Planning Committee)

• Transition from current parking task force into standing committee.

• Advocate for continuing the Streetscape improvement program and a more active downtown maintenance program.

• Revive effort for Newspaper Corrals: Revive this effort. Note: We will need an ordinance requiring all distribution boxes to be located only in corrals.

• Continue advocating for public toilets downtown.

• Promote, support, collaborate in, and contribute to erecting a permanent, changeable copy sign at 5^th and Hwy 3 in Ames Park.

(Arts and Culture Committee)

• Serve as Organizational Entity for Sixth Annual ArtSwirl

• Research and Plan, through Task Force, a new Art Fest, possibly for 2010

• Work Collaboratively to Achieve an Intentional and Publicized Calendar for Gallery Crawls

RESTRUCTURING:

(ER Team)

• Revisit outside dining ordinance; it sunsets in ’09 and will have to be readopted.

• Continue working on property tax reductions.

• Continue working (collaboratively) on In-Fill and Redevelopment Initiative.

• Turbo-Charge efforts on Retention, Recruitment, Restructuring.

• Continue working toward NDDC participation in a high priority development project.

The NDDC Board spent a good portion of their time at the November and December meetings reviewing 2008 Accomplishments, discussing potential Work Plans, and prioritizing Action Steps for 2009. As always, the accomplishments and actions were organized by the Main Street Four Points.

The November meeting focused on a critical review of the Accomplishments and an unconstrained consideration of Work Plans. The December meeting was a progression to greater specificity and emphasize on the Top Priorities for the upcoming year.

The accomplishments discussed in November included:

ORGANIZING -

Operated with two new committees: Events and Marketing & Communications/PR

Continued to Produce Quarterly Block Head Gatherings and Monthly Forums

Conducted Stakeholder, Councilor, Police Chief Meetings on Quality of Life Issues

Set-up Downtown Business Networking Tool (with NEC and CBBC)

Produced First Ever Annual Partnership Celebration

PROMOTING -

Gave birth to Patty Cash, Downtown’s Bovine Mascot

Produced or Supported Girls Nite Out, June Bug, Taste of Northfield, ArtSwirl, Fall Fest

Established On-going Partnering with CVB and Northfield Historical Society

Continued Popular Welcome Students and Family Weekend Campaigns

Installed 2^nd Historic Northfield Sign on Highway 35 (funded by the CVB)

DESIGNING -

Partnered with Northfield In Bloom

Advocated for Downtown Library Feasibility Study

Continued to Work with City on Banner Program and Spring Cleaning

Celebrated Way-finding Signs Installation, “Harvest” Sculpture Placement

Created North End Design Committee

RESTRUCTURING -

Continued to Pursue Legislation for Commercial Property Tax Reduction

Conducted Board Visits to New Businesses

Renewed Retention and Recruitment Efforts (with Main Street and LISC)

Created New Partnerships on Business Management Topics (NEC and South Central College)

Initiated In-Fill and Redevelopment Collaboration (with EDA and Chamber)

It is, of course, a different kind of week. However, there’s still quite a bit going on in downtown Northfield.

Tonight, Tuesday, December 23rd, there’s an Exhibit Closing Party, a two-day-early ChARTdonnay, and special sneak preview, 3 to 10 p.m., ArtOnWater Gallery, 217 South Water Street and a Blue Grass and Old Time Jam Session, 7:30 to 10:00 p.m., The Contented Cow, 302B Division Street. If you haven’t already done so, be sure to check out the Member’s Show at the Northfield Arts Guild, 304 Division Street, open ’til 5 p.m. today. It’s a delightful offering of cultural activities to wrap around your last-minute shopping and socializing.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 24th, is Christmas Eve. You should probably try to finish your shopping early and spend the rest of the day and night with friends and family. Might I suggest one of the many fine shops in Downtown Northfield, as well as the fun eating and drinking establishments. The next day, December 25th, is Christmas.

Friday, there’s Karaoke, 9 p.m., at the Rueb-N-Stein, 503 Division Street, and Chris Herriges, at the Tavern Lounge, riverside of The Archer House, 212 Division Street. Saturday, there’s DJ Music at the Rueb, one of my favorites, Marty Anderson and the Goods, at The Contented Cow, and Norwegian Cowboy at the Tavern Lounge. Then Sunday, there’s the usual line-up of Politics and a Pint, Northern Roots Session, and Quiz Night at The Cow.

Ho, ho, ho…and have a Happy Holidays…from the folks at the Northfield Downtown Development Corporation and the people who make it all possible, the building and business owners of Downtown Northfield. Please support them as they support our community.

‘Twas the weekend before Christmas and all through the town, not a folk was hesitating to come on down…

…town and check out the Craft Collective’s Holiday Reception at Grezzo Gallery.

Thursday, December 18th, it ChARTdonnay Thursday, 5 to 9 p.m., ArtOnWater Gallery, 217 South Water Street, Karaoke, 9 p.m., Froggy Bottoms, 305 South Water Street, Mark Mraz, The Tavern Lounge, riverside of The Archer House, 212 Division Street, and Scott Bravo, The Contented Cow, 302B Division Street.

Friday, December 19th, it’s Karaoke, 9 p.m., The Rueb-N-Stein, 503 Division Street, the Eggmen, The Contented Cow, and Ian Alexy, The Tavern Lounge.

Saturday, December 20th, it the Craft Collective Holiday Reception, 2 to 6 p.m., Grezzo Gallery, 16 Bridge Square, the Exhibit Closing Reception, ArtOnWater Gallery, 5 to 9 p.m, Tuition Daddies, 6:30 to 9 p.m., Hogan Brothers, 415 Division Street, DJ Music, 9 p.m., The Rueb-N-Stein, and After October, The Tavern Lounge.

Then Sunday, December 21st, it’s Politics and a Pint, 6 p.m., Northern Roots Session, 7:30 p.m., and Quiz Night, 8 p.m., all at The Contented Cow.

I try to write up “what’s happening” downtown (and sometimes all around) Northfield every week. There’s always a lot going on in our little Art Town. However, I was truly impressed by how much was happening this particular weekend. So fight darkness, despair, apathy, lethargy, and/or the chilly temperatures, and come on down(town) and hang out with the friendly folks we call Northfielders.

Tonight, Thursday, December 11th, it’s ChARTdonnay Thursday, 5 to 9 p.m., at ArtOnWater Gallery, 217 South Water Street, the Opening Reception for the Annual Members Show at the Northfield Arts Guild Gallery, 7 to 9 p.m., 304 Division Street, the Northfield Liquor Store’s Wine Club hosts an Open to the Public Wine Tasting, 7 to 9 p.m., The Grand Event Center, 316 Washington Street, Winner of 2007s “Midwest’s Next Big Comic” Josh Denny, 8 p.m., Upstairs Rueb, 503 Division Street, Karaoke, 9 p.m., Froggy Bottoms, 305 South Water Street, and Chris Herriges, Tavern Lounge, riverside of the The Archer House, 212 Division Street.

Friday, December 12th, it’s a Talk and Book signing by Al Quie, 1:30 p.m., Buntrock Commons, St. Olaf College, an Acoustic Show featuring Aaron Frederick, Riley McGillivray, Tim Hollinger, and Nathan Monklien, 7 p.m., The Key, 303 South Water Street, It’s a Wonderful Life, 7:30 p.m., Arts Guild Theater, 411 West Third Street, Casablanca Orchestra, 8:30 p.m., The Grand Event Center, 315 Washington Street, Karaoke, 9 p.m., the Rueb-N-Stein, 503 Division Street, Draper Daniels, The Contented Cow, 302B Division Street, and Jeff Ray, Tavern Lounge, riverside of the Archer House, 212 Division Street.

Saturday, December 13th, it’s the 7th Annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk, 8 a.m. registration/9 a.m. start, Northfield Armory, 519 South Division Street, the Closing Event of the Northfield High School Alumni Art Show, 2 to 5 p.m., Northfield High School, 1400 Division Street, Northfield Youth Choirs Concert: Gloria, 3 p.m., Skinner Chapel, Carleton College, It’s a Wonderful Life, 7:30 p.m., Arts Guild Theater, Bonnie and the Clydes, 8 to 11 p.m., The Contented Cow, 302B Division Street, The Fabulous Lovehandles, 8;30 p.m., The Grand Event Center, 316 Washington Street, DJ Music, 9 p.m., the Rueb-N-Stein, 503 Division Street, and Norwegian Cowboy, Tavern Lounge, riverside of the Archer House, 212 Division Street.

Sunday, December 14th, it’s a matinee of It’s a Wonderful Life, 2 p.m., Arts Guild Theater, 411 West Third Street, Politics and a Pint, 6 p.m., Northern Roots Session, 7:30 p.m., and Quiz Night, 8 p.m., all at the Contented Cow, 302B Division Street.

What the heck, let’s call it a four-day weekend…Monday, December 15th, it’s a Book-signing: Jeremey Greenberg, 7 p.m., sponsored by River City Books, at the Contented Cow, 302B Division Street, and Nordic Jam, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Ole Cafe, 1011 St. Olaf Avenue.