Northfield Downtown Development Corporation

…actually, the first one was just a test model. This latest appearance is that of the real thing.

On the north side of 4th Street, just east (up the hill away from the river) of Division Street, is a way-finding sign. It’s part of a planned series of signs in and around downtown to help folks find their way to arts, recreation and cultural opportunities in our community.

This one includes such landmarks as the Historical Society, the historic Grand Auditorium, the historic Carnegie Library, the renowned Northfield Arts Guild, the historic Archer House, the town-spawning Ames Mill, the much enjoyed Riverwalk, and the much used National Guard Armory. Note the icons for public restrooms and public parking too.

Here’s another opportunity to give a big “thank-you” to Joel Walinski and his crew down at City Hall. Thanks Joel, you can count on us to praise them each and all, one by one.

In the category of celebrating life’s simple pleasures, such as fresh paint on crosswalks, new way-finding signage, and the installation of additional bike racks, there are now the new railings installed at the Ames Mill dam overlook. My appreciation for them last week was almost ecstatic.

The old ones were in pretty rough shape. Personally, I think that their replacement with these new ones in such an often visited place in town sends out a powerfully positive message about our community.

While I was perhaps being a bit too enthusiastic in my appreciation, putting my eyes within six inches of the railings and caressing the surface with my hands, several teenagers asked me if they were going to be painted. Analytically appraising the current coating, I shared my opinion that it looked thin and flat like primer.

“They should be black, to match the rest”, the group offered. I’ll respectfully pass that input on to Joel Walinski and his talented crew down at the City of Northfield.

Bike racks, trash receptacles, street striping…how low can I go on the civic investment “to-do” list?

Don’t ever underestimate me.

Try to imagine my unbridled joy when I saw City of Northfield crews filling potholes in downtown the other morning. Let me help to stimulate your imagination.

Personally, I believe that unaddressed potholes are the harbingers of the decline and fall of civilization as we know it. Seeing these guys fill the potholes renewed my sense of hope in our community’s future.

Thanks again to Joel Walinski and his team at the City of Northfield.

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.

Six more bike racks were installed in Downtown yesterday. It was perfect timing as the sunny skies beckoned fair-weather bike commuters (like myself) to take the two-wheel option to work.

The racks have actually been in Northfield since last year but scheduling challenges delayed their installation. Additional bike racks are to arrive this year, which is a really good thing as at least a half dozen building and business owners were requesting them yesterday afternoon. With two colleges, many green-thinking citizens, and the rising price of gas, more bike racks are definitely appreciated.

I’ve worked hard to tame my obsession with bike racks. I just think that they’re necessary for much of our citizenry, greatly contribute to “managing” the bike parking in downtown, and, with the particular type that Northfield selected, aesthetically pleasing.

Many thanks to the City of Northfield’s Public Services Director, Joel Walinski, and his excellent crew. It’s just one of the many things they do to help make downtown a great place to work, live and play.