February 2, 2012
The red indicates areas in Northfield’s downtown dedicated exclusively to the storage of the automobile. Thoughts: We currently have a significant amount of space dedicated to parking — possibly more square footage in parking than in building. We can never hope for downtown to compete, in terms of convenience, with the Targets and Cubs of the world. People do not go downtown for good parking. They go downtown despite the fact that they may have to parallel park, or walk a block. This is not a problem; this is an asset. So let’s stop trying to be as convenient as Target, and instead strive to be as desirable as any good downtown. We should strive for a downtown with an environment that’s worth walking a block or two for — and pleasurable to make that walk.

The red indicates areas in Northfield’s downtown dedicated exclusively to the storage of the automobile. Thoughts:

  1. We currently have a significant amount of space dedicated to parking — possibly more square footage in parking than in building.
  2. We can never hope for downtown to compete, in terms of convenience, with the Targets and Cubs of the world.
  3. People do not go downtown for good parking. They go downtown despite the fact that they may have to parallel park, or walk a block. This is not a problem; this is an asset.
  4. So let’s stop trying to be as convenient as Target, and instead strive to be as desirable as any good downtown. We should strive for a downtown with an environment that’s worth walking a block or two for — and pleasurable to make that walk.