If you are a Northfield resident, Save the Northfield Depot would like to encourage you to contact your legislative members and the governor in support of the City of Northfield’s request to include the Transit Hub in the 2020 state “bonding bill.” Governor Walz has indicated he will weigh his decision heavily based on the public input provided on the public comment page, which is open only through November 30 (limited to 350 characters).
Background
The Minnesota Senate Capital Investment Committee and the Minnesota House Capital Investment Division recently visited Northfield at the request of the City to hear and view firsthand details of the proposed Northfield Regional Transit Hub as submitted for the state bonding bill by the City of Northfield. On their bonding tours held around the state, the committees visited with the local governments and other entities seeking funds to learn more about projects. Learn more about the bonding process (.pdf).
Although the bonding bill does not affect the depot restoration project (confused in a recent newspaper article but later corrected), Save the Northfield Depot believes that the community will benefit from the Regional Transit Hub and that the proposal reflects a long-held goal of the City (as strongly reflected in the public meetings we held in 2010). If you are a resident of the Northfield community, please contact:
- your state senator and representative
- Governor Walz
- the members of the key committees in support of the City request to include the Transit Hub in the 2020 capital investment bill (These legislative committees are instrumental in making bonding decisions.)
Information Save the Northfield Depot shared with the visiting legislators
- Save the Northfield Depot (STND) held two public meetings, 15 stakeholder focus groups and a public design charrette in 2010 to decide whether or not the public thought the depot should be saved, and, if so, the preferred placement and use. Consistently, the public attending those meetings were supportive of saving the depot (by moving to its new site), but also wanted a new structure added to the site plan that could be used for a much needed transit hub that was conveniently located in the center of town, and provided easy drop-off and pick-up for a range of sizes and types of transportation modes (buses, vans, bikes and taxis).
- In the subsequent STND fundraising efforts, several businesses and industries were supportive of the restoration of the depot, but expressed greater interest in the transit hub (added to the site design in the STND design charrette) that would address the needs of their employees who live in other towns. They shared many stories of employees traveling to Northfield by bus but, once here, having no convenient place for them to easily connect with the local city system that could efficiently get them to their workplace.
- The regional transit hub building will include public bathrooms and waiting area; an access drive and parking lots will service the transit hub.
- In addition to meeting current needs for connection with other transportation modes, the hub could also serve train passenger connections in the future. The south central rail line from the Twin Cities on existing rail running through Northfield with connections south as far as Dallas is now designated as a Phase I passenger rail corridor in the revised 2015 statewide rail plan. The development of the line is approved for study and MnDOT has requested funds for the required feasibility study. MnDOT personnel have indicated the Northfield would likely be a stop; train passengers arriving or departing by train could make local transportation connections at the transit hub given its proximity to the depot.
- The area surrounding the transit hub location has been identified as a likely redevelopment area and this project is expected to assist in spurring new economic development.
We encourage you to include your own perspective on the personal/community value of such a transit hub.
Who to Contact in State Government
Governor Walz
As indicated above, the Governor has asked for public response through the public comment page. The public comment period will be open only through November 30 and is limited to 350 characters.
Minnesota Senate
Senator Rich Draheim (R), District 20 (includes Northfield)
95 University Avenue W.
Minnesota Senate Building, Room 3227
St. Paul, MN 55155
Tel: 651-296-5558
Email: use mail form
Senator Matt Little (DFL), District 58 (includes Northfield)
2413 Minnesota Senate Building
St. Paul, MN 55155
Tel: 651-296-5252
Email: use mail form
Senate Capital Investment Committee: Leadership Members
Chair: Senator David Senjem (R-Rochester), District 25
3401 Minnesota Senate Building
St. Paul, MN 55155
Tel: 651-296-3903
Email: sen.david.senjem@senate.mn
Vice chair: Senator Scott Newman (R-Hutchinson), District 18
105 Minnesota Senate Building
St. Paul, MN 55155
Tel: 651-296-4131
Email: sen.scott.newman@senate.mn
Ranking member: Senator Sandy Pappas (DFL-St. Paul), District 65
2205 Minnesota Senate Building
St. Paul, MN 55155
Tel: 651-296-1802
Email: use mail form
Minnesota House of Representatives
Rep. Todd Lippert (DFL), District 20B (includes Northfield)
State Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155
Tel: 651-296-0171
Email: rep.todd.lippert@house.mn
Rep. Pat Garofalo (R), District 58B (includes Northfield)
295 State Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155
Tel: 651-296-1069
Email: rep.pat.garofalo@house.mn
House Capital Investment Division: Leadership Members
Committee Chair: Rep. Mary Murphy (DFL- Hermantown), District 03B
343 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155
Tel: 651-296-2676
Email: rep.mary.murphy@house.mn
Vice Chair: Rep. Fue Lee (DFL-Minneapolis), District 59A
485 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155
Tel: 651-296-4262
Email: rep.fue.lee@house.mn
Save the Northfield Depot 