Northfield Downtown Development Corporation

As part of a community-wide effort to encourage bicycle transportation a few years ago, the NDDC produced the first Downtown Bike Rack Locations Map.  It showed the locations of all the bike racks, both privately and publicly provided, in downtown Northfield.

Although you could probably locate one of the HPC-approved “hitching post”-style bike racks with a quick glance down the sidewalks, we thought the map might serve another purpose.  Our hope was that the map would send a signal that downtown Northfield was “bicycle-friendly”. (more…)

Sure, pound for pound, Northfield probably has more art than any other town in the country.  However, what is more “Minnesotan” than eating ice cream…outside…when it’s 20 below zero?  So, this event is my “pick of the week”.

Although it sounds a bit Nordic Pagan (“a communal sing designed to force the weather gods to release us from their cold winter grip”), I’m sure that Jews, Christians, Muslims, and even Atheists are all invited: the Northfield Historical Society’s Winter Scream, Saturday in Bridge Square.  So come on down(town) and sing (and eat) the winter away! (more…)

Crews were busy planting new trees on 4th Street this morning.  City of Northfield staff had indicated that they were waiting for the first frost as the transfer would be less traumatic.  With our unusually warm fall, it was a long wait.

It was well worth it, however.  It’s good to see the trees back on 4th Street.  The trees provide a visual, natural link between our historic buildings and our scenic river in our historic, scenic, and authentic downtown.

Thanks to the citizens who advocated for the return of the trees, and thanks to the City Council for being so diligent in assuring their return, and thanks to City Staff for coordinating the return.  I look forward to seeing them leafed out next spring.

Thursday, August 27th, from 6 to 9 p.m. there will be a reception at the Northfield Arts Guild (304 Division Street) for the opening show “Color, Brush, and Form: The Fine Art of Function”.

It’s a retrospective of the work of beloved Northfield potter Charles Halling. (more…)

Some might say he was preaching to the choir last night. Jay Walljasper remarked on it himself as he opened his presentation at The Grand for the NDDC’s Partnership Celebration. In fact, he said he was working with folks in Brainerd recently and he asked them what they wanted their downtown to be like when they had completed their project and they said “Northfield or Stillwater”. He noted that they are both successful, but slightly different, models of great downtowns.

Indeed, Walljasper emphasized the importance of many things that the NDDC has been talking about for almost ten years.

He talked about Fostering Community and Assuring Safety, and we hold Monthly Forums and Block Head Gatherings, regularly focusing on “Quality of Life Issues”. He praised Places to Hang Out and Nurturing Pleasure and Pizazz, and we work for Sidewalk Dining and Downtown Events. He advocated for Taming Traffic and Keeping Things Clean and Green and we’ve argue for safe crossings of Division Street and Dahomey Avenue and an Annual Spring Cleaning Downtown. Finally, he emphasized Boosting Local Economic Vitality and we champion Reduced Commercial Property Taxes and Shopping Locally.

Jay also spoke for benches, bike racks (yes, bike racks), public restrooms, allowing sidewalks sales and sidewalk dining, and overturning regulations that hinder economic vitality. The NDDC’s old Action Squad formally presented many of these ideas to the City Council and Staff back in 2003. Most of these ideas are now being slowly but steadily realized.

It was clear from his remarks that changes for the better take time, often more time than seems necessary. From Jay’s perspective, the most important ingredient for change is Social Capital, the citizens who are dedicated to making their communities great places. He gestured to the group and pointed out that it was obvious that we are rich in that kind of capital in downtown Northfield.

With on-going attention, unflagging determination, lots of hard work, and an occasional enthusiastic celebration, our progress will continue. Thanks to Jay for his fine presentation and thanks to all the “social capital”, the folks who partner with us for the success of the NDDC, Downtown, and Northfield.

Photograph courtesy of Griff Wigley. See more about last night on Locally Grown.