Fifth & Washington Street Redevelopment

Overview of the redevelopment

The City of Northfield is negotiating an agreement with the Lander Group to facilitate the redevelopment of the City surface parking lot at Fifth Street and Washington Street. The project is proposed to include the new Northfield Liquor Store, street level retail/service space, rental housing, and parking.

The private-public development will facilitate increased investment to meet City goals related to expanded housing availability, tax base growth, sustainable building design, and solution to a new Northfield Liquor Store location.

Design

The City Council will have input into the project design of the exterior and public spaces including size, scale, materials, landscaping and other elements. The project area is adjacent to, but not in, the historic district. Being adjacent to the historic district requires some added attention to being complementary to the nearby historic district but does not have the same regulatory standards.

Location

The redevelopment will include the city-owned surface parking lot at Fifth Street and Washington Street.

Timeline

Dates are subject to change.

2023 preliminary design (underway)
2023 to 2024 design approved
Spring to winter 2024 construction
2025 occupancy

Meetings

July 18, 2023 City Council work session

Download presentation to City Council (PDF)

Watch the Council work session

Community engagement opportunities

As the project proceeds, you will have opportunities to give public input related to the character and design of building facades and public spaces. Sign up for project updates to stay informed of engagement opportunities.

In addition to these opportunities, all City Council, boards, commission and committee meetings are open to the public. Most, but not all meetings, may have an opportunity for public comment.

September 27, 2023 – Meeting with business and property owners

4 to 6 p.m.
City Hall, 2nd floor training room, 801 Washington Street

September 27, 2023 – Meeting with organizations

Organizations invited include Friends of Downtown Northfield, Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Open Table, Roundtable Project

4 to 6 p.m.
City Hall, 2nd floor training room, 801 Washington Street

October 4, 2023 – Downtown and Riverfront Redevelopment Community Open House #1

6 to 8 p.m.
Fifty North, meeting room, 1651 Jefferson Parkway

October 7, 2023 – Downtown and Riverfront Redevelopment Community Open House #2

2 to 4 p.m.
Greenvale Elementary, cafeteria, 5000 Lincoln Parkway

October 11, 2023 – Downtown and Riverfront Redevelopment Community Open House #3

6 to 8 p.m.
Weitz Center for Creativity, Carleton College, 320 Third Street

Signing up for project updates

Stay informed on project progress and engagement opportunities.

Northfield Liquor Store

Northfield Liquor Store is proposed to be located in this project area. The proposed new boutique hotel and restaurant at 5th and Water will further the city’s goals to activate the riverfront area and stimulate economic growth. The City initially acquired those properties to construct a new liquor store. Upon further study, the new location of the Northfield Liquor Store proposed at 5th Street and Washington will better meet the overall goals of the City and liquor store customers. The Northfield Liquor Store increased sales will pay for the full cost of the new facility.

Paying for the project

The Lander Group will be privately financing the rental housing and street level retail/service spaces. The Northfield Liquor Store will be financing its building and parking spaces with liquor store cash and debt (no tax dollars). The parking facilities will be paid through a combination of private and public sources.

Post office building

The City is exploring with federal postal officials if the post office could be relocated and occupy retail space in this development.

Public restrooms

The City is intending to incorporate public restrooms into the project.

Sustainability

The project will include the incorporating Sustainable Building Design Standards with the project. Additionally, there is planning underway for a rooftop solar array to generate clean energy for the development.

Sustainable Building Policy

Connecting our goals and plans

This project meets a number of strategic priorities of the city’s strategic plan including economic vitality, quality facilities and service excellence. This includes maximizing redevelopment opportunities in the urban edge that encourages a more integrated relationship between the downtown and the river.

The project also checks off a number of objectives from different plans, such as the 2008 Comprehensive Plan, Riverfront Action Plan, Downtown Streetscape Framework Plan and the mission statement.

Comprehensive Plan

“Old Northfield” including the downtown core…will define Northfields character
Mixed use centers will be compatible in scale and character to surrounding uses and develop in a form that reflects “Old Northfield”, including such elements as building mass, placement and orientation to the street.
The Cannon River is a defining natural feature of Northfield and the City will commit to protecting and enhancing the river corridor wen development, redevelopment, or intensification occurs. The corridor will be integrated in development, redevelopment or land intensification to create high quality public spaces that connect people to the river.
The preference for accommodating infill first then redevelopment.

View Comprehensive Plan

Incorporate “park once” site design requirements in areas called for mixed use. Improve walking and biking travel patterns through improving existing connections to the Northfield trail system improved street crossings and foot bridges.

Downtown Streetscape Framework Plan

Reinforce a positive, genuine character.
Design a hierarchy of streetscape elements.
“String of Pearls” concept identifies a series of focal points or pearls in the streetscape.
Improve the gateway experience into downtown.

View the Downtown Streetscape Framework Plan