Holding golden shovel heads aloft, Northfield city leaders broke ground Wednesday afternoon on the new Northfield Transit Hub, which will be located just north of the restored Northfield Train Depot.
State Rep. Kristi Pursell, Mayor Rhonda Pownell, City Administrator Ben Martig, City Engineer Dave Bennett, Chamber President Jane Bartho, and Save the Depot Director Alice Thomas tossed a shovel full of dirt in the air while more than 75 community members cheered them on.
Pownell, Batho, Pursell, Thomas and Dianne Ford with ThreeRivers/Hiawathaland bus lines each delivered brief remarks about the significance of the occasion. They thanked the dedicated city staff, Save the Depot donors and supporters and all the interested community members who helped shepard the project from idea to fruition.
State Rep. Pursell told onlookers that “forethought and fortitude” were the two words that came to mind regarding the transit hub project.
“I’m so pleased to support this project,” she said. “Thank you to all who played a pivotal role in moving it forward.”
Bartho said, from a business perspective, the transit hub will spur growth and development on the city’s west side, as well as be a ‘game changer” for bus transportation routes.
“This is exciting and gratifying that this multi-use site will be used as a transit hub,” said Thomas. “Transportation has been a hot topic ever since the original 1918 blueprints were drawn for the Depot.”
Mayor Pownell told the crowd that the “convenient, affordable, dependable and sustainable” transit hub was intentionally situated in the heart of Northfield and “not in a remote park” so that everyone benefits.
The city of Northfield was awarded $1.75 million in state bonding funds to complete the transit hub. Construction on the project starts June 10 and is expected to be complete in October.
The site will include a building and a pavilion. The new building features two levels, one at street level and one at rail level, a waiting room, restrooms and an elevator.
The city and architect held several meetings with community members during the design phase, and the final design incorporates feedback from those meetings, most notably around accessibility and functionality.
This site will serve as a connection and transfer point for local and regional bus and other transportation options. Hiawathaland Transit, which serves as a bus service in Northfield and Faribault, is expected to use the transit hub as its Northfield hub. Hiawathaland will continue to serve its current routes.
Just a few years back, the Depot was slated for demolition. A group of dedicated volunteers, along with the city’s support, was able to move the Deport from its blighted site. Now the Depot has lovingly been restored, has a sculpture garden and hosts a variety of events throughout the year including nonprofit organization meetings, private social events and art events.
Save the Northfield Depot has long been advocating for MnDOT to pursue passenger rail service from the Twin Cities to Kansas City with a stop in Northfield.
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