HRA Meeting Date: March 6, 2025
To: Members of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority
From: Melissa Hanson, Housing Coordinator
Title
Staff Updates on Outstanding Community Development Items and City-Wide projects
Body
Action Requested:
No action. There are a number of outstanding items related to Community Development. Below is a summary update on each item. Staff will provide an update during the meeting and the Board has the opportunity to discuss each item individually if desired.
Summary Report:
Staff participated in MN NAHRO’s Day at the Capitol on February 19, 2025. Staff had the opportunity to meet with state legislators and talk about housing needs.
HRA staff participated in MN NAHRO’s 2025 Executive Retreat on February 20-21. There was a lot of networking and discussion regarding the current and future of housing.
City Redevelopment Projects
5th and Washington Redevelopment Project
- Eight developers received the request for letters of intent to partner with the city on the municipal liquor store, parking, and housing development at 5th and Washington. Questions from developers were due Monday, February 3 and responses are due February 28. See the Letter of Interest Request attached.
- The City Council designated the EDA as the advisory board for this and other downtown redevelopment projects.
5th and Water Redevelopment Project
- The EDA did not spend significant time in summer 2024 discussing this public redevelopment project. The EDA will need to review this project status in the near term.
Northwest Area Development
The City has successfully rezoned a significant amount of property within the Northwest Area to accommodate light industrial development at the end of 2024. Economic development staff continue to facilitate discussions among interested developers, utility providers, and the property owners regarding future development. More information on the development area can be found here: <https://www.northfieldmn.gov/1578/Northwest-Area-Business-Park>
City Ice Arena Project
The City Council received an update on the status of the future ice arena project during the February 18 work session. More information on that discussion can be found here: <https://www.northfieldmn.gov/1671/Ice-Arena>
The EDA will have a role in the financing structure of the future ice arena. Using a financing tool called “lease-revenue bonding,” the EDA will issue bonds to improve the facility. The EDA took action via resolution on September 23, 2024 to support the use of this financing tool. That resolution is also attached. For more information, please watch and review the packet materials from September 23, 2024. <https://northfield.granicus.com/player/clip/1872>
Northfield 2045 Comprehensive Plan
The Northfield 2045 Comprehensive Plan continues to be refined and is expected to be adopted this spring. As part of plan development efforts, staff are working to ensure clear connections to other critical planning documents such as the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), along with some of the most recent planning efforts such as the Climate Action Plan and the Riverfront Enhancement Action Plan. Additionally, staff is working to coordinate the shorter-term strategic plan efforts with the creation of this 20-year comprehensive planning document to best align department work programs with the desired future state described in the plan document. Additional information and the most current draft can be found in the Planning Commission Packet for February 20, 2025: <https://www.northfieldmn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/23871/02-20-2025-PC-Agenda-Packet>.
The City Adminsitrator’s memo for January 2025 is attached for reference to other city initiatives.
Alternative Options:
Not applicable.
Financial Impacts:
Not applicable.
Tentative Timelines:
Not applicable.