The Northfield Economic Development Authority held a closed meeting to discuss the potential purchase of a property at the corner of Linden and Third streets, the southwest corner of the Q-block. (Photo courtesy of Ben Martig)
As volunteers continue work at the new site of the Northfield Depot, the city is considering development options at the Q-block site, the area east of the train tracks. That might include a transit hub with a driveway, public parking and more. Its also considering redevelopment options in the area west of the train tracks. (Philip Weyhe/Northfield News)
The Northfield Economic Development Authority held a closed meeting to discuss the potential purchase of a property at the corner of Linden and Third streets, the southwest corner of the Q-block. (Photo courtesy of Ben Martig)
As volunteers continue work at the new site of the Northfield Depot, the city is considering development options at the Q-block site, the area east of the train tracks. That might include a transit hub with a driveway, public parking and more. Its also considering redevelopment options in the area west of the train tracks. (Philip Weyhe/Northfield News)
The Northfield Economic Development Authority is eyeing an old metal storage building.
The interest, really, is more in the property than the building itself at 308 Third St. W, where Third and Linden streets intersect near the Q-block; the EDA held a closed meeting Aug. 23 to “develop or consider offers or counteroffers” for the property, which is owned by Farmers Cooperative Elevator Co. The city already owns the property just to the north (201 Linden St.), where the Fire Department currently stores equipment.
Taking control of the entire area, which is on the west side of the train tracks, might allow the city to include it with potential development of the Q-block, the area on the east side of the train tracks. But City Administrator Ben Martig isn’t about to speculate.
“The EDA is a component unit of the city, so it could tie in,” Martig said. “But the council’s recent actions related to the Q-block all relates to the transit hub on the other side of the train tracks.”{div class=”subscriber-only”}In January 2016, thanks to the efforts of Save The Northfield Depot, the depot moved from its old location to a new spot between Second and Third streets on the west side of Hwy. 3, known as the Q-Block. Since then, the organization has been hard at work on renovations, reinvigorating the depot inside and out to repair the structure and return its original look.
The renovation is nearing completion, though there is plenty left to do. The city, meanwhile, is considering development of the entire Q-block area to complement the new depot site, including a matching transit hub building with a driveway for buses, some public parking and some landscaping.
The City Council previously agreed to set aside $150,000 for a transit hub to accompany the Depot, but there would be about $250,000 in still needed site work, and that doesn’t include several desired features. The city is working with Hiawathaland Transit, which provides bus service in Northfield, to request grant funding from the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
The city is also aiming to do some redevelopment on the other side of the train tracks, including the property the EDA is considering. It’s unclear, for now, what kind of changes it might consider there.
According to Martig, the authority could purchase the land using funds from its reserve, which is now built up to around $1 million. The EDA does not currently own or operate any property in the city, but it does have the ability to do so.
Reach Associate Editor Philip Weyhe at 507-645-1115 or follow him on Twitter @nfnphilweyhe.
