June 1st, 2005

John Mathern, and his development company Mendota Homes, in recent months have gone through an open process that has included the scrutiny of various city advisory commissions and the watchful eye of local residents.

It appears Mathern has earned the opportunity to proceed with his Riverfront project he now calls “The Crossing,” and Northfield is fortunate to have attracted a quality, family-owned company that wants to invest in the future of Northfield’s downtown.

The public meetings were something Mathern, who wishes to sign a contract with the city to become the exclusive developer of what’s known as the Riverfront site, chose to hold to connect with the thoughts and wishes of the community.

And now with all of that behind him, it seems that Mathern has passed the first tests of whether his planned development of a large segment of Northfield’s downtown property will be good for the city.

The Riverfront site for obvious reasons is a very important project to Northfield. It will take property formerly being underused and transform it into residential housing and commercial property that should give new life to the city’s downtown. Because of the project’s importance, it was encouraging to see Mathern’s efforts to demonstrate not only to city officials, but to the public as well, that he truly wants to be a good neighbor and that he’s willing to listen to community needs to become the developer of the property.

Mathern, or other Mendota Homes officials, have presented the development’s preliminary plans to the city’s Design Advisory Board and to a joint meeting of the city council and Economic Development Authority, and in both instances the project received favorable reviews. And the plans have been presented at two community meetings, again with most being pleased with Mathern’s work so far.

The most re-occurring objection seems to be about environmental issues and Mathern and his officials have been meeting with those with complaints in an effort to solve them. As for the preliminary approval process city officials laid out for the company, Mendota Homes seems to have answered all the appropriate questions. And Mathern seems to have demonstrated he is concerned not only with making the development financially feasible for himself, but also a development that will enhance the downtown and be a good fit.

Now that Mathern’s first deadline has passed, and the appropriate project information has been filed, city officials will have the significant task of giving final approval of Mathern’s vision.

Even though Mathern is a relatively new player in the development of the downtown, his track record thus far has demonstrated he’s interested not only in a good business opportunity, but one that benefits the entire community. He’s listened to the concerns of city officials and local residents and he’s responded.

It’s time to allow Mendota Homes to move forward with developing the Riverfront.

Reprinted with permission from the Northfield News.