City of NorthfieldCommunity Workshop/ Public Open House

October 23rd, 2013

Concepts for a Future Bridge Square

Marcia A Klopf

Agenda

1 Introductions

2 Planning Process and Schedule

3 The History of Bridge Square

4Community Uses of Bridge Square

5 Public Conversation

6 Next Steps

Introductions1

IntroductionsProject Team• John Slack, ASLA Stantec• Griff Wigley Wigley & Associates• Marcia A Klopf Project Intern/ St. Olaf

City Staff• Joe Stapf, Northfield City Engineer

IntroductionsMayor’s Streetscape Task Force (MSTF)• Hayes Scriven• Ross Currier• Dan Bergeson• Robert Will• Steve Edwins

Special thanks to Northfield Historical Society for providing all of the historic images you will see in this presentation.

See Stakeholders Webpage athttp://northfieldcitizenengagement.org/bridgesquare/stakeholders/

The Planning Process2and Schedule

Introductory commentsWhy this planning and why now?

• The need originated in early 2000s• The Downtown Framework Plan• 2006 Mayor's Streetscape Task force• Guidance continues for enhancement projects• Bridge Square planning deferred until now• Uses are evolving toward more larger events

Planning ProcessPublic Input• Transparent process to engage all stakeholders in

a meaningful dialogue about the future of Bridge Square

• Use public face-to-face meetings and online tools to both inform the community and learn their needs, desires, ideas, and feedback. Online tools will include:

• Blog site, discussion threads• Online straw polls• Live web conferences• Ongoing updates via Twitter, Facebook, text messages, email and

local media websites

NorthfieldCitizenEngagement.org/bridgesquare

Planning ProcessDesign Process• Understand the history of Bridge Square and the

role it plays in the community• Define design precedents to see how other well

known/loved spaces function • Engage in a civic discussion on the future of

Bridge Square• Provide recommendations for the future design

and programming of Bridge Square

Planning ScheduleSub title• We can’t completely avoid bullet points• So if we must use them, this is the layout to use• Notice that there is no more than 5 bullet points

on the slide.

The History of Bridge Square

“Bridge Square serves as the living room for the City of Northfield”

3

Sub title• We can’t completely avoid bullet points• So if we must use them, this is the layout to use• Notice that there is no more than 5 bullet points

on the slide.

Timeline

History of Bridge SquareKey Dates/ Events• 1855: Northfield founded by John North• 1855: “First industrial building was John North's saw

mill.”• 1856: First store was operated in the spring, on

Bridge Square• 1870s: "Square known as the economic and social

center of Northfield"

1870s

1876

1880

1855 – John North saw mill

History of Bridge SquareKey Dates/ Events• 1890s: Bridge Square was about 3 feet below its

current elevation; sidewalks were all on stilts• 1910 (June): “the dream of every resident of

Northfield for years has been the improvement of Bridge Square . . . by the removal of the present unsightly buildings . . . marking the now unsightly street, one of the beauty spots of the city.”"Once Upon a Time", an article in the Northfield News, page 9, on March 31, 1922

1889 Sanborn Map

1890-1910

1890

1900’s

1910

Crowd on the Square 1900

Veteran Parade1900

Governor Eberhart visits Northfield 1910

Veteran Parade1910

1910 Sanborn Map

History of Bridge SquareKey Dates/ Events• 1912: Decision made to pave the streets• 1912: Proposal for a north and south road through

Northfield• 1913 (summer): Positive feedback was received

(as said on Dec 28) with the one exception that “Northfield should be paved with something more substantial and durable than good intentions”; creosote blocks were eventually the ones used

1910

1911

1912

1914

History of Bridge SquareKey Dates/ Events• 1914: Phrase “Cows, Colleges, and Contentment”

concocted• 1915: “Auto clubbers to witness dedication”;

Bridge Square used as a place for events and celebration of the automobile

History of Bridge SquareKey Dates/ Events• 1915:

• A horse-watering fountain had been installed; • Pavilion rest room idea on the site of the former mill; • Suggestion that there could be plans for paving the

public square, perhaps by putting a flower bed or fountain or small plot of green in the center of the square in order to cut down on paving costs;

• Wanted a place to accommodate the automobilists driving by

• Until this time, Bridge Square was just a large open space which also served to water horses

History of Bridge SquareKey Dates/ Events• 1921: “Dedication of Civil War Monument Will

mark Memorial Day”; • Unveiling ceremony; • Tribute to soldiers and sailors of the Civil War;• Organized by the WRC; • Parade for War veterans; • Formerly known as Bridge Square Park

1922 Sanborn Map

1915

1920

1925

1930

Crown Prince of Norway visits Northfield 1939

History of Bridge SquareKey Dates/ Events• 1922: Beautify Bridge Square; done through the

Northfield Improvement Association; included replacing the bridge, adding curb lights, and erecting the sailor’s monument

• 1936: Post office was occupied • 1940s (early): Cannon removed during World Wars

1930 Sanborn Map

History of Bridge SquareKey Dates/ Events• 1948: First re-enactment of the Northfield bank

raid, performed in Bridge Square; old woodenpaving blocks in the square were still used

1937

1937

1940’s

1943

1950

1960’s

1960

1970

DJJD Event 1950

Firemen water fight during 1950 DJJD all things are good

History of Bridge SquareKey Dates/ Events• 1976: Bridge Square pattern discussed;

• 4 designs by Klemenhagen;• Plan recommended to the Council, it would eliminate

the street directly in front of the Chamber of Commerce office, would narrow Water Street to allow 2 way traffic but no parking on the street, widens existing river parking lot to allow diagonal parking on both sides

History of Bridge SquareKey Dates/ Events• 1979: “Northfield Falls in Love with Mrs. Johansen’s

Popcorn Wagon”;• A 1918 wagon that has become a permanent fixture, • People worried when it disappeared for a shortwhile-

they still wanted it in Bridge Square;• It has drawn visitors to the square where they can relax

on the new park benches; • Mrs. Johansen had a very visible, central location; the

Square has done as much for her popcorn stand as her stand has done for the square; “the square is a real asset to the town, people are using it more and more, so many people have said how lovely it is”

History of Bridge SquareKey Dates/ Events• 1980: fountain sculpture given to Northfield,

designed and created by Raymond I. Jacobson,• “The fountain is there to enhance the park and

downtown as a natural event.” • Replaced the flower bed; a fountain was one

of the initial items planned for the renovated square area; “It is our intent and hope that this fountain will be a visual source of pride and enjoyment for years to come for the citizens of this unique community.”

1979

1980’s

1997

2013

History of Bridge SquareOther Facts• Bridge Square originally known as Mill Square

• Created by vacation of several lots;• Originally wide, unembellished open space;• Used for watering animals, markets, parking;• Present traffic pattern and street improvements date

from the 1970s" ;• Streets were laid out in a grid pattern which is irrelevant

to the contours of the land

History of Bridge SquareOther Facts

• City developed on a pedestrian basis- the core of the city is easy to walk• Little grassy plot of Bridge Square has remained,

even though some have wanted it to be a parking lot;

• The fountain, memorial monument, popcorn wagon are all permanent structures;

Community Uses of Bridge Square4

Programmed events happen in Bridge Square each year.

Annual Events• 3rd Saturday in May-

Northfield Garden Club Event

• End of May/Early June- St. Olaf College Events

• Mid June- Taste of Northfield

• Early July- Milltown Cycles Event

• Mid July- New Prague Band performance

• Late July- Northfield Chamber all day event

• Thursdays in the Summer-Community Band nights

• Fridays in the Summer-Riverwalk/Market Fair

• Early September- Defeat of Jesse James Days

• Sept. 21- Day of Peace Early October: St. Dominics Event

Community Uses of Bridge Square

Special Events• July 2011: Laura Baker

Event• August 2011: Outlaw Run• August 2012: Medin• New in early August 2013:

Vintage Band Festival• New in late August 2013:

ArtsCulture night• Art Swirl• Books and Stars• 4th of July

Other Events• Public Gatherings• Break dancing• Fundraising• Coffee/ Lunch• People Watching• Public Vigils• Picnics• Fishing• Garden Club events

Public Conversation5What are you thinking?• Initial thoughts on the project?• Any fond memories of Bridge Square?• What else would you like to see as part of this

project?

Next Steps6Schedule• Live web conference (repeat of this open house):

Oct 30, 7 pm• Online Straw Poll• Ongoing blog updates and discussions• Community Workshop #2: Week of November 18th

• Provide comments, insights or fond memories of Bridge Square at...NorthfieldCitizenEngagement.org/bridgesquare

Questions?