Comments on: Podcast: Housing and Redevelopment’s Michele Merxbauer

By: ‘Name that Neighborhood’ and become part of Northfield’s history; - Locally Grown

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:56:11 +0000

[...] Which one? The same one she talked about on a LoGroNo podcast back in late Feb this year. [...]

By: Bill Ostrem

Bill Ostrem — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 18:15:28 +0000

Congratulations to those who have worked on this project. I listened to the podcast and was impressed that Blue Cross chose the project over others around the state and also that it will possibly be featured in a PBS TV show.

I hope that there can eventually be improved access for kids in this neighborhood to walk and bike to the the schools on the other side of 246. Right now everyone east of 246 is bused for safety reasons.

By: Jane McWilliams

Jane McWilliams — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 03:44:10 +0000

I hadn’t heard the podcast, so I learned a lot at the HRA open house last night. I was impressed not only by the goal of affordability, but of energy conservation as well as the collaboration of funders and organizations to achieve these two goals. The presenters, Michelle, Jenny Larson of Three Rivers, and John Harrington of the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, sought public comments. Several public members were concerned about adding more housing stock, given the current market. One person suggested that it would be better to scatter affordable housing, rather than creating affordable neighborhoods. I suggested they consider one or two rentals as there seems to be a serious shortage of that kind of housing in Northfield.

The presenters said this could be a unique project - putting us on the map nationally. So - in spite of the problems at the council level, good things are happening in the city!

By: Anne Bretts

Anne Bretts — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 22:42:43 +0000

The houses look a lot like the ones already in the neighborhood, right along Jefferson Parkway. They’ll be a nice addition to the diversity we have out here.

By: Jerry Bilek

Jerry Bilek — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:51:28 +0000

Thanks for posting the photos Griff. These are the style and type of homes recommended in the book Suburban Nation. Porches and sidewalks actually help build strong neighborhoods. Notice how far forward the house is set on the lot.

It’s also the type of house Northfield Construction built for my family in 2004.

By: Griff Wigley

Griff Wigley — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:52:19 +0000

Here's a Flashplayer view of the types of homes that'll be built. According to Michele, "these are actual homes that have been built in Pine Island and Cambridge."

By: Griff Wigley

Griff Wigley — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:58:22 +0000

Since last week's show with Michele didn't air on KYMN, it'll run today in the regular 5:30 PM timeslot.

Last night's Housing and Redevelopment public meeting on the new Southbridge development was well-attended. I missed most of it but took a few photos.

Michelle, can you give us a brief summary? And can I get photos or PDFs of the various charts you displayed?

By: Griff Wigley

Griff Wigley — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 12:49:36 +0000

In today's Nfld News: Open house Tuesday on mixed-income neighborhood.

A community input meeting is from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall. The evening begins with a presentation by the city's housing manager, Michele Merxbauer. Merxbauer expects to provide an overview of the Housing & Redevelopment Authority's 14.2-acre project which is planned as a walkable community with homes featuring front porches and side-loading garages.

By: Griff Wigley

Griff Wigley — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:52:15 +0000

I stopped by Michele’s office at City Hall this aft. for a photo and have edited the blog post to include it. Now it’s time for my nap.

By: Bruce Anderson

Bruce Anderson — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:39:53 +0000

Thanks for the clarification, Michele. My directional dyslexia sometimes rears its ugly head!

I’ve updated the map with Maple Street, Highway 246 and Ford Streets labeled.

By: Brendon Etter

Brendon Etter — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:10:26 +0000

Thanks, Michele, southwest of the soccer fields, Southbridge and Ford. I get the boundaries now.

I would suggest calling it a “neighborhood” rather than a “development”; because words matter, and it might be nice to frame it that way.

I’m excited to see this come together. Thanks for the good work you do for Northfield.

By: Michele Merxbauer

Michele Merxbauer — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:51:57 +0000

The site that is being discussed is just southwest of the soccer complex, west of Maple Street and east of 246. Southbridge Drive will continue into the development, and Ford Street will be south of our development line.

At the Community Input Meeting on Tuesday, I will provide maps that show the area more clearly.

Thank you, Brendon, for pointing out that sometimes we tend to carried away in names, not necessarily location specifics. I hope this helps.

By: Griff Wigley

Griff Wigley — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:50:26 +0000

You can see more about some of the Maple Hills development homes on the Cannon River Community Land Trust blog site. And here's a Google map:
View Larger Map

By: Brendon Etter

Brendon Etter — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:31:15 +0000

Bruce,

“Just southeast of the Spring Creek Soccer Complex” is Maple Street. How could the site be “roughly midway between Maple Street and Highway 246″?

I couldn’t read any street names and there was no directional compass on the map on your blog. So, I remain, confused.

By: Bruce Anderson

Bruce Anderson — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:15:24 +0000

Great podcast, Ross. I had a chance to talk with Mitch Merxbauer this morning, and blogged about the project as well.

Brendon, I like to know where stuff is, too. The site is an irregularly shaped piece of land roughly midway between Maple Street and Highway 246, just southeast of the Spring Creek Soccer Complex. I have an image of the site in my blog (http://www.sustainablecommunitysolutions.com/index.php/2008/02/28/green-workforce-housing-coming-to-northfield/).

By: Brendon Etter

Brendon Etter — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:56:30 +0000

Where is the Southbridge site? Can someone give me the exact location? Neighborhoods and areas seem to get named and then referred to with the assumption that everyone will know where they are, but I can’t find any specific information on the city site, Three River’s site or here. I have a general sense where it is, but would like to know more precisely.

That’s just me.

By: Griff Wigley

Griff Wigley — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:36:44 +0000

I know, I’m a slug, Ross. FIXED!

By the way, what does the ‘p’ stand for in the domain name for Three Rivers Community Action? http://www.threeriverscap.org/

By: Ross Currier

Ross Currier — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:18:40 +0000

Gee Griff, you’re really off your game right now, Three Rivers has a website to which you coulda/shoulda linked: http://www.threeriverscap.org/