May 21st, 2005

The Riverfront Redevelopment site is not the only piece of property that’s going to have John Mathern’s mark on it.

On Thursday. the Mendota Homes developer confirmed he was in talks with Community National Bank officials to buy their old bank building, 25 Bridge Square, in downtown Northfield.

Mathern has yet to receive the purchase agreement from Don Kuehnast, Community National’s president, but confirmed that the two businesses have “an agreement in principal,” Mathern said.

Although Mathern did not specify his plans for the old bank building, he indicated that part of the agreement involved the preservation of the historic portion of the building, but the demolition of the 1960s addition.

On Friday, Kuehnast confirmed that he was in discussions with Mendota Homes regarding the building.

“We’re into talks,” he said. “At this point, nothing has been signed. It’s hopeful in the near future that we’ll make an announcement about the change in ownership.”

Mathern also owns a portion of property in the Riverfront Redevelopment site and recently bought the Legacy Motel.

Reprinted with permission from the Northfield News.