The American Association of University Women discussed downtown challenges and opportunities at their monthly meeting this morning. Held in the beautiful recital room of the Northfield Arts Guild, the clouds parted and the sun shone through as the group worked through the issues.

Mayor Lee Lansing, Librarian Lynne Young and I served on a panel. The topics dicussed included the downtown library, downtown parking, pedestrian safety, the colleges and the downtown, safe crossing of Highway 3, community, culture and commerce, real estate taxes, downtown expansion, cultural programming and the daily lives of downtown retailers.

It was a great opportunity to raise these issues with this group. I think that they will be formidable allies in the ongoing efforts to maintain our vibrant and vital downtown.