August 19th, 2005

Considering the recently proposed redevelopment project of the 600 block of Division Street and the pending redevelopment of the former downtown Community National Bank building, it’s exciting to think of what Northfield’s reshaped downtown could be in a very short time.

Developers Randy Lutz and Beth Closner of New Division Development Company announced last week that in addition to purchasing and renovating the Lansing Hardware building, they are planning to construct a second commercial building next door to the north, possibly encompassing the entire 600 block pending a purchase of the Tires Plus property.

The developers said the plans include renovating the living space above Lansing Hardware, the hardware store itself and then building commercial space along the rest of the block.

And in June, John Mathern of Mendota Homes, which is currently in talks with the city involving redeveloping the Riverfront project, and Community National Bank President Don Kuehnast announced that Mathern had signed a purchase agreement with the bank for its former downtown location.

Mathern has said he intends to raze the property, with the exception of the historic portion of the building where the bank will keep a presence, and build a new building containing office and residential space.

The impact these two projects could have on the downtown is incredible, first by revitalizing it with new space, second by extending the downtown’s reach even farther south along Division Street and ultimately boosting the economic development of the downtown.

Northfield has built a wonderful reputation for its downtown and it attracts people to live here and to visit from out of town to shop. Important projects such as these serve to make the downtown stronger and everyone in town benefits from that.

It’s an exciting time to think about the downtown’s future.