Tag Archives: Downtown Northfield

NDDC Awarded $30,000 Artists on Main Street Grant

We are pleased to announce that the NDDC was awarded a $30,000 grant through the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota’s Artists on Main Street initiative. This program will help the Northfield Downtown Development Corporation to sustain a vibrant downtown by:

  • Providing art and creative placemaking experiences that draw people to shop, dine and connect in Downtown Northfield
  • Enhancing the downtown’s aesthetics through the creativity of our local artists
  • Utilizing the arts as a springboard for improving diversity and inclusiveness in Downtown Northfield across all cultures

Check out the official release from PAM below and watch here for updates on the program as we launch it in early 2019!

The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota in partnership with Springboard for the Arts, and with support from the Bush Foundation, launched a new program earlier this year, Artists on Main Street, to explore how the arts help address the challenges affecting Main Street communities today. The pilot year’s success in Faribault, Mankato, and Winona has resulted in continued investment in the program by the Bush Foundation to include eleven communities over a three-year period. Four communities were selected to join the program in 2019, and they are Northfield, Olivia, Wabasha, and Willmar.

“The Bush Foundation is very excited to be able to support Artist on Main Street through the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota’s Main Street Program. We see this as a great opportunity to support artists as leaders in their communities and to show how art and culture can be an important part of efforts led by local Main Street programs, Cities, Economic Development Authorities, and Chambers of Commerce throughout the region.” – Erik Takeshita, Portfolio Director for Community Creativity at the Bush Foundation.

During the program’s pilot year, over ninety artists and creatives attended Creative Placemaking Workshops resulting in a total of thirty-four artist-led projects involving fifty-five artists and creatives. “Over the last year we’ve seen new relationships built between Main Street organizations and artists in their communities, which has resulted in more community pride and new, creative ideas about addressing downtown concerns,” said Michele Anderson, Rural Program Director at Springboard for the Arts. “We’re excited to welcome another cohort of communities to this program and build on this momentum.”

Each community receives support on planning and implementing creative placemaking projects through training, one-on-one technical assistance, and cohort support to integrate arts-based problem solving. Artists on Main Street communities receive $20,000 for project funding and program implementation the first year and $10,000 the second year for artist-led solutions to a local challenge identified by the community. Training and resources will be provided in partnership with Springboard for the Arts to artists who live, work and have a personal investment in the community to make positive physical, economic and social impacts.

“Artists on Main Street is creating bright spots of arts-based community development and downtown revitalization in Greater Minnesota,” said Sarina Otaibi, Rural Program Manager for the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota.

Division Street Closed from 6th to 8th Beginning April 30

7th and Division–before

The City of Northfield will begin the reconstruction of Division Street between 6th St and 8th St on Monday, April 30. Washington St. will be the marked detour route. Read on for more details about the this summer’s entire downtown streets project. Bookmark the following link on the City’s website for complete information and updates .

Stage 1- Division Street from Sixth Street to Eight Street
Crews expect to begin work on Stage 1 on Monday April 30, 2018. Work expected next week include the closure of Division Street to thru traffic from Sixth Street to Eighth Street first thing Monday morning. A detour will be posted around the closure utilizing Washington Street. Additional work included next week will be bituminous and concrete street removals, curb and gutter removals, and driveway removals. Crews expect to begin utility installations the week of May 7.

Stage 2 – Seventh Street from Water Street to Washington Street
Staff also held individual meetings with the affected property owners on Stage 2 late this week to discuss the proposed schedule submitted by the contractor, and the affect to each individual property. The contractor expects to begin work on Stage 2 sometime mid-July, when Stage 1 is complete.

Stage 3 – Washington Street Mill and Overlay and Parking Lot Construction
No work is scheduled on Stage 3 until late July. Staff will send letters requesting property owner meetings on Stage 3 once construction is closer to beginning.

Nate Becker, City of Northfield, will be the project representative. Nate can be reached by phone at (507) 291-6490 or via email at Nate.Becker@ci.northfield.mn.us

7th and Divison-after

Bridge Square Sports New Lights: Thanks NDDC!!

In anticipation of Winter Walk 2017 and the entire holiday season, the NDDC considered how it might contribute to the festivities in a new way. Conversation turned toward the amenities in Bridge Square and the acknowledgement that the tree lighting array could be better. The call went out for contributions and the call was answered.

As can be seen in the accompanying photos, every tree and lamp post in Bridge Square is now adorned with lights and the cumulative effect is stunning!

In addition to the new lights in Bridge Square, the NDDC is sponsoring the Tree Lighting Ceremony for Winter Walk 2017. Please join us at 5pm in Bridge Square for a brief ceremony followed by the Whoville Christmas Song  sing-a-long from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”.

Lots Happening in Downtown Northfield

Upcoming Events

Defeat of Jesse James Days Sept. 6-10

It’s time again for the annual celebration of our loyal townsfolk who defeated the James Gang back on September 7, 1876. New this year is a Craft Beverage Festival at Armory Square, featuring beer, cider and cocktails from Imminent Brewing, Tanzenwald Brewing, Keepsake Cidery, Chapel Brewing and Loon Liquors. Other highlights include the Northfield Rotary Club Jesse James Bike Tour on the 9th (free beer or root beer at the After Pedal Party) and the Northfield Shares 5K Run/Walk on the 10th. Check out all of the fun including re-enactments, carnival, parade, rodeo and more at djjd.org.

 

 

Photo credit: Nick Gerhardt, Northfield News

J. Grundy’s Rueb ‘N’ Stein Farewell Party Sept 16

The Rueb will celebrate the end of an era with an all day party, capped off by a performance from members of The Big Wu starting at 9 pm. Joe Grundhoefer is looking forward to enjoying some time off after 36 years of restaurant ownership. He wants to invite all of his former employees and loyal customers to attend the celebration. A local business partnership,  Freetime Restaurants LLC, will begin a major remodel this fall and plan to open a new rustic, upscale casual restaurant in the summer of 2018. The new restaurant will have something for everyone: unique menu with locally sourced ingredients, outdoor seating, a bar/lounge and live music. The last day of business for the Rueb will be September 17th.

Business is Thriving in Downtown Northfield

Anniversaries and Goodbyes

Last month we celebrated with local businesses as Mainstream Boutique had a 2-year anniversary,  Paper Petalum had their 30th and The Rare Pair marked 40 years downtown. Also in August, after a 7-year run, Studio Elements closed its door at 16 Bridge Square. Thanks to Jill Enestvedt for her terrific efforts and fine shop. At the end of July, Mike Moyers closed Mike’s Bicycle Shop after a 25-year run on Grastvedt Lane. We want to thank Mike for being the go-to bike shop, not just in Northfield, but Rice County, for so many years and wish him well in his well-deserved retirement. Mike’s son Stu will be relocating the shop to Dundas and opening soon on County Road 1.

 

 

Hello and Welcome

Opening this month at 16 Bridge Square, new Naturopathic Practice Fine Fettle will bring health and wellness goods to the former Studio Elements space. Northfield Hospital & Clinics just announced plans to open an Express Care Clinic with convenient evening and weekend hours inside Sterling Pharmacy in early 2018.