Category Archives: Downtown issues

…that persistence will lead to results. The NDDC has been working on property tax relief for aging commercial buildings in older districts for some time. At times it has seemed like trying to wrestle an elephant…the issue is so big that it’s hard to know where to grab on. We believe that it is aContinue reading “We Gotta Believe”

The NDDC’s E R Team traveled to St. Paul this morning to discuss the economic threat posed by ever-rising property taxes. The meeting was set up by State Representative David Bly. Seated around the table are NDDC Vice President Joe Grundhoefer, Legislation Consultant Laura Sayles, Property Tax Analyst Karen Baker, and NDDC Secretary Keith Covey.Continue reading “NDDC Meets with Legislature on Property Taxes”

It is true, I responded to Jaci Smith’s voice mail on the implementation of plans for downtown. Here is my complete e-mail to her on the topic: Hello Jaci: Good to hear from you. We greatly appreciate positive stories about the importance of downtown to overall economic vitality of Northfield. Indeed, I had a lengthyContinue reading “Comments to Jaci Smith on Implementation of Plans”

Indeed, I had a phone conversation with Craig Greene on stimulating investment in downtown. Here’s is my complete follow-up e-mail: Hello Craig: Just to be sure I’ve made myself clear on this topic, the NDDC has a proven approach and specific plans but with the turbulence in the economy, we need to stay somewhat flexibleContinue reading “Comments to Craig Green on Downtown Investment”

This piece appeared as a Guest Column in today’s (December 29) Northfield News. For pretty much most of this century, owners of commercial property in downtown Northfield have been complaining about steadily and substantially rising property taxes. Since 2000, these building owners have experienced annual average tax increases of 30%. Think about it, their propertyContinue reading “The Economic Dangers of Ever- Rising Downtown Property Taxes”