Northfield Downtown Development Corporation

NDDC Board President, organizational founder, and two-time Mayor of Northfield, Keith Covey, appeared on Jeff Johnson’s KYMN Radio Show to discuss the NDDC’s “community expectations” recommendations to the City Council.

Covey concluded his remarks by saying,

“Our aim is to bring the community together around values that we believe nearly everyone shares: a downtown that is clean and well maintained and where mutual respect, safety, pedestrian friendliness are part of the culture.”

The draft of the document appears below:

(more…)

…at least on their drinks.

Last Friday a number of Commercial Property Owners in Downtown Northfield took advantage of the half-priced drinks for anyone bringing in their tax statements to several local establishments. A few of them posed for a photo in Bridge Square.

As many of you are aware, commercial property taxes in downtown Northfield have risen over 30% a year for the past seven years or so; the total increase since 2000 is well over 200%. With rents remaining stable, there is no longer sufficient cash flow to address building operating expenses, much less maintenance and improvements.

The tax payment due-date confirmed this grim reality. The dozen or so commercial property owners with whom I spoke last week all had to either draw down their savings or borrow money from the bank to pay their tax bills.

The situation is not economically sustainable. Our architectural, commercial, and cultural health, heritage, and hope is at risk.

Members of the NDDC’s Board of Directors visited The Archer House recently. They met with General Manger Todd Byhre and discussed recent accomplishments and future plans.

The Archer House River Inn opened in 1877. The impressive four-story red brick structure has long served as a visual icon for downtown Northfield.

Todd was hired as the manager about a year ago. He brings extensive experience in the hospitality industry to the job and is already producing positive results – occupancy has almost doubled.

There have been some more visual impacts during Todd’s tenure, the NDDC Board Members all remarked on the beautifully refurbished lobby. More projects are planned; look for some significant sprucing up in many of the hotel’s public areas.

Todd suggested that some dramatic improvements to the outside of the building are also being considered. He said that the goal is to make the structure “read” more clearly as a hotel from the street.

The Archer House is committed to strengthening downtown’s economy. They plan to distribute coupons from local businesses on their website.

The Board Members had a number of questions for Todd about marketing Northfield. He said that he thinks that the town has a lot to offer for women and couples but not as much for men and children.

His top suggestion for stimulating increased economic activity in Northfield? Build a movie theater.

Tonight, Thursday, May 14th, there’s Karaoke, 9 p.m., Froggy Bottoms, popular local talent Study Hall with Peter and Terry at The Contented Cow and Ian Alexy at The Tavern Lounge, riverside of The Archer House.

Tomorrow, Friday, May 15th, check out the Commercial Property Taxpayers’ Specials, 4 to 6 p.m., The Contented Cow, Froggy Bottoms, J. Grundy’s Rueb’N'Stein, and The Tavern Lounge (riverside of The Archer House), Senior Art Show Reception, 7 p.m., Art Gallery on the Carleton College campus, Symphony Band Concert, 8 to 9:30 p.m., Concert Hall, Carleton College campus, The Pillowman, 8 p.m., Nourse Little Theater, Carleton College campus, In/Bed/Dead, 8 p.m., Arena Theater, Carleton College campus, Karaoke, 9 p.m., Rueb’N'Stein, Eggmen at The Contented Cow and Jeff Ray at the Tavern Lounge. (more…)

Downtown advocates from southeastern Minnesota gathered in Austin yesterday.

Their purpose was to share ideas for strengthening our downtowns and working together to return the Main Street Program to Minnesota. Eighteen people from eight different communities reviewed the Four Point Approach, offered lessons learned from their own experiences, and brain-stormed additional tactics for familiar challenges.

The Main Street Program was created by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1977. In Minnesota, the program was originally supported by DTED but was phased out in 1994. Minnesota is one of only four states that do not have a state-supported Main Street Program. (more…)