Project Overview

Fifth Street from Water Street to Washington Street is scheduled for infrastructure improvements in accordance with the City of Northfield’s Capitol Improvement Plan for 2008. In addition, the reconstruction of the Water Street parking lot has been added to the original project scope.

Community identified goal and priorities for the redesign of 5th Street and the Water Street Parking Lot are:

• Re-configure vehicular flow and parking with no net loss of parking.
• Re-connection with and enhancement of a connection to the Cannon River:
  -Native plantings on the Cannon River shoreline edge.
  -Embrace the Cannon River with the design – manage access.
  -Pull parking and hard surfaces away from the River.
• Provide setting and context for Ray Jacobson’s ‘Harvest’ sculpture.
• Create signage and wayfinding to orient visitors.
• Provide orientation and ample bike parking for the Mill Towns Regional Trail, which is currently programmed to proceed up 5th Street to Union Street.
• Provide ample seating and pedestrian access.
• Provide space and dimension for the programmed Defeat of Jesse James Days events and other civic events at Bridge Square.
• Incorporate the City’s crosswalk standard at 5th and Water, 5th and Division, as well as at the Post Office.
• Utilize paving materials and colors, as developed in the Framework Plan and as utilized at the Library Corner Project.
• Utilize innovative stormwater management practices and techniques were possible.