Northfield Downtown Development Corporation

Two major statewide events in historic preservation are taking place in Northfield this weekend. The Minnesota Historical Society‘s Historic Preservation Office is holding its annual conference and the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota is hosting its annual awards ceremony.

The SHPO’s conference is the largest gathering of Minnesota’s preservation community each year and attracts historians, architects, planners, public officials, property owners, preservation commission members and citizen advocates from around state. The PAM’s awards are given to 15 special projects from across the state representing excellence in a wide variety of preservation disciplines.

The conference acknowledges the qualities of Northfield’s historic heart: its authentic and vital downtown. Several of the conference seminars explore the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street Program, an approach followed by the NDDC since its conception in 1999.

The attendees will occasionally step out of the classroom for some real-life exploration, including a “Downtown Northfield Field Session”. So be sure to welcome them to our authentic, historic, vital, and determined downtown.

In about 48 hours, or Thursday, June 19th, at 5 pm, the Third Annual Taste of Northfield will be underway.

It’s about Food, Fun and Friends. In my last post, I focused on the Food. This time, let’s talk Fun.

The Northfield Community Band plays at 6 pm.

The James-Younger Gang does their Re-enactment at 7:15 pm.

The Live Auction is at 7:30 pm (Silent Auction from 5 to 8 pm).

The Street Dance with The Over and Back Band is from 8:30 to 10:30 pm.

Of course, there’s Food from 5 to 9 pm, Beer on the Bridge from 5 to 11 pm, and your Friends…

…for hours, in Downtown Northfield.

Thanks to NDDC Board Member Anastasia Balfany for the Taste-y Banner in Ames Park!

Tomorrow, Saturday, June 7th, is the First “Construction Coffee“.

In an effort to keep the communication lines between downtown stakeholders and City of Northfield staff, the City will be holding regular tours of the Fifth and Water Streets Enhancements and Reconstruction Project.

So, meet at the corner of 5th Street and Division Street at 8 am, with your favorite cup of coffee, and get a progress report on this major downtown project.

Smile Joe, Smile.

Okay, so I caught NDDC Vice President Joe Grundhoefer on his way to work at about 7:30 am the other morning and he said,

“You’re not going to take a picture of me, are you Ross?”

However, he did admit that seeing the curb repair, in front of his business and up and down Division Street, made him very happy.

It’s another big thank-you to Joel Walinski and his crew at the City of Northfield.

In case you hadn’t noticed, the 5th & Water Project has begun.

Work started on the 27th, and it will include both Reconstruction and Enhancements. The work is being phased to minimize disruption to businesses. The first phase will be the Water Street Parking area between 5th and Bridge Square and is scheduled to be completed by July 4th. The second phase will be the intersection of 5th and Water Streets and cannot begin before June 16th and should take 3 to 4 weeks. The third phase will be 5th Street from Water Street to Washington Street and will begin when phase two is complete and be substantially finished by September 3rd.

The City will be holding a series of sidewalk tours called “Construction Coffee” during which an update on the project process will be given. The first tour is scheduled for Saturday, June 7, 2008 at 8 AM. Those interested should meet at the corner of Division Street and 5th Street with their favorite cup of coffee.

Any questions or concerns about the project can be directed to Joel Walinski, Public Services Director, or Katy Gehler-Hess, City Engineer, at 507-645-3020.