The North Fork Blog
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Downtown Economic Development using Crowdsourcing
Press Release Jul 10 2011Creative Molecular Economy workshop member provides the following information.
"Check out this Bristol Rising effort – this is very innovative in their approach and product for downtown economic development planning. They are taking a crowdsourcing approach which has recently been used to fund start-ups but this is one of the first times I have seen it tried comprehensively in the public sector. Also they are using social media to develop the plan. This is the future of economic development planning. Are we ready?
Rick Smyre picked up on crowdsourcing as a weak signal in the past. I think it is now moving beyond “weak” and to a murmur”, Enjoy"
-- Jim Damicis, Senior Vice President, Camoin AssociatesAn emerging trend using a different downtown economic revitalization development model.
It is a downtown redevelopment model using a crowd sourcing mechanism, breaking the mold from car centric toward walking and biking centric and getting the whole community involved.
http://bristolrising.com/page/about-bristol-rising
How could this be incorporated into the current tNorfolk, NE downtown efforts? The recent City's downtown housing study and park and trail master plan supports this concept. The Vehicle Parking District store front revitalization, Norfolk Avenue upgrade, Preserve Norfolk, Norfolk Area Recruiters, and NorthFork Riverfront Development Project are already leading the way.
I like the capability of posting all the community events in one on-line location as well as a listing of commercial and housing properties for sale and rent. We’ve heard several times through different efforts that we need to bring more events into the downtown district as well as organizing and marketing these events. Connecting downtown to Johnson Park is a step in the right direction along with riverfront efforts. I like that the Madison County is funding (Norfolk Area Visitors Bureau) monies to bring more sporting events to the community.
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Elkhorn Valley Trails Network--Newsletter and Member Sign
Press Release May 20 2011Elkhorn Valley Trails Network
Newsletter – Spring 2011
COWBOY TRIAL BRIDGE UPDATE
Recently, Jerry Shepherd (EVTN board member) visited with Duane Westerholt (Trail Administrator for the Nebraska Game and Parks) on the progress of replacing the downed steel bridge on the Cowboy Trail. Duane shared that a company in Minnesota is working on the design of a prefabricated pedestrian bridge. Grant funding from several sources is in place, including: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Recreational Trails Program, and the Cowboy Recreation and Natural Trail Fund. Hopefully everything is in place to get the bridge completed sometime in 2012. Repairs will also be made to the portion of the trail west of the bridge that was eroded away by the force of the flood waters. Please email our state representatives and officials at NGPC to let them know that the Cowboy Trail is important to Nebraska, and thank them for their efforts in restoring it. www.outdoornebraska.ne.gov www.nebraskalegislature.gov
NORFOLK AREA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU
EVTN board member Cheryl Johnson recently met with Brook Kreder, director of the Visitors Bureau. We look forward to a good working relationship with Brook and the Bureau in promoting Norfolk area and city trails, especially the Cowboy Trail. Until the new Chamber of Commerce building is completed, the Visitors Bureau is located just west of Tropical Waters on highway 275 (east of Sears).
WILLOW CREEK TRAIL SRA
Plan to visit this recreation area 1-½ miles southwest of Pierce. A scenic 11-mile hike/bike trail connects to Pierce, and circles the reservoir. The crushed limestone trail offers a variety of terrain and vistas. It would be a great place to take a picnic lunch.
MAPLE CREEK RECREATION AREA
The Lower Elkhorn NRD will be hosting its Grand Opening of the Maple Creek RA ½ mile west of Leigh, NE on Saturday, May 21st. Bring your bike or walking shoes and explore the new trail system. Prizes will be given away, including a Trek mountain bike donated by Cleveland Bike & Sport of Norfolk. Festivities begin at 11:30 am, including a free lunch at noon.
NORTH 25TH STREET PROJECT
This street improvement will include an 8 foot bike trail from Skyview Lake to Norfolk Avenue. The project is currently slated for a bid-letting sometime this fall or winter, with an estimated completion date in early 1013. We are thankful for the cooperation of landowners along the east side of 25th Street. This corridor is a very important link in the city-wide trail plan, and a safe route on the west side of town is most welcomed by anyone who has ever ridden a bike on 25th Street.
NORFOLK CITY TRAIL PLAN
“Community Redesigned” has developed a Park and Trail Master Plan for the city of Norfolk. Check out the plan on the city’s website. http://www.ci.norfolk.ne.us/parks/Park_and_Trail_Master_Plan_Information.htm. Please review these plans and offer your thoughts and suggestions to our city leaders.
CAN RECYCLING
Please keep in mind that EVTN has a collection point in the parking lot between Lou’s Thrifty Way and Weaver’s for aluminum cans. Funds raised help cover our day-to-day expenses in promoting and improving trails. Thanks for your donations, and a BIG thank you to George and Julie Andrew and Jerry Sheppard who oversee the project.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
We feel that there are some exciting things on the horizon for Norfolk, including increased support for city trails. Please continue to show your support by renewing your membership now…and perhaps sharing this newsletter with a friend! Thanks!
Names ____________________________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________ Phone__________________
E-mail address ___________________________________Number of Family Members ____
EVTN Family Membership ($10) EVTN Business Membership ($50)
Make checks payable to Elkhorn Valley Trails Network. Please mail dues to EVTN, PO Box 672, Norfolk, NE 68702
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NorthFork Riverfront Cleanup Scheduled April 30th--Calling All Volunteers
Press Release Apr 22 2011The 2nd annual NorthFork Riverfront Cleanup Project is scheduled for April 30th, 9 AM - noon, in conjunction with the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce's Green Council Earth Day celebration at the Norfolk City Auditorium.
Norfolk Daily News has spotlighted the event as well as a tree planting ceremony by the City's Tree Board in conjunction with the City's designation as a Tree City USA community.
Advanced registration is encouraged to gage participation and assignments. Please use the riverfront cleanup registration form and return to the Chamber Office.
View images of last year's riverfront cleanup event at a on-line photo album.
Wear protective clothing to include gloves if you have them. Trash bags and water will be provided. Volunteers with power and hand saws would be appreciated.
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2011 Norfolk Downtown Housing Study--The Art of the Possible
Press Release Mar 27 2011Here are the images I took of the out-brief from Norfolk Downtown Housing Study.
http://picasaweb.google.com/NorthForkRiverwalk/2011DowntownHousingStudy#
This will basically complete a portion of the economic analysis of the NorthFork Riverfront Development Project Master Plan that was not funded. [http://www.visioning2026.com/NorthFork/HDR/090731_NorthForkRiverwalk_FINALdeliverable_SMALLsize.pdf]This can now be used (when finished) with our existing marketing material to really promote the effort to developers. This gives the City an excellent road map on how to integrate this proposal with the City’s Park and Trails Master Plan. [http://www.visioning2026.com/NorthFork/NorfolkParksandTrailsMasterPlan.pdf] With TIF availability for the area this could really help kick off some efforts.
The individuals from the firm doing the study were really excited about the possibilities given their analysis of the 10 year housing needs supporting this new development in downtown Norfolk. I added some notes to the images to try and capture some of the high points. They included connecting this development to Veterans Memorial Park and the riverfront greenway to the north. They noted the opportunity of adding kayaking water barriers to divert stream flow below the spillway for improved water sports and vacating Nebraska Ave. Marty, one of the members of the firm, stated, “This will put Norfolk on the map.” He was really excited about integrating concepts from around the country right into this area. Nothing that he knows has put all the pieces together at this scale, downtown, housing, riverfront, recreation, trails, parks, multi-family, multi-generational.
The other thing I really like about the different housing units being considered is we have the opportunity to create a mini-community right in our downtown district. This in my mind implements the concept of a project that a few of us documented several years ago (2005) considering a vertical multi-family multi-generation housing unit in downtown Norfolk. [http://www.visioning2026.com/background/] [http://www.visioning2026.com/docs/NORFOLK-THIRD-MILLENNIAL-CENTER.pdf]
I think this further supports the need to collect data and better understand the water quality of the North Fork. We are helping the City and community get ahead of the curve on future challenges. This is coming together with the Norfolk Sanitary District leading the way on the “best” method for the community to replace the failing retaining wall below the spillway.
Hats off to the Norfolk Housing Authority to allow this design and analysis team to expand the horizon for our community. -
Riverpoint Arts Festival Moves to Johnson Park
Press Release Sep 23 2010Arts Festival is to be held Saturday, September 25, 2010 at Johnson's Park from 12pm-6pm. After enjoying the Lion's Day Parade that morning, come to the park for an afternoon full of fun and various art! One-of-a-kind artwork for sale by local artists and live music from 3-6pm by The Abstract, Maverick, Mo Doogus and Glenn Woody Henkel.
Food vendors offering BBQ, Hot Dogs, Funnel Cakes, Carmel Apples and more! There will also be a talent contest (12:30-1:30), parade awards presentation (1:30-1:45), Dum Corp Expo and Pep Band performances (1:45-3:00) and a scarecrow contest. The Kids Zone will include make & take crafts, treasure find, pumpkins decorating, spray paint art wall, treasure find, and Ditzy the Clown.
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Sioux Falls, SD Greenway Trails Similar to North Fork Greenway Opportunities
Press Release Sep 9 2010A local resident with extensive trails experience visited and road the Sioux Falls Trail system along their local river. Cheryl Johnson made the following comments during a recent trail ride. "Notice that they have some trails that run right next to the street (no grass terrace) where there isn't much room for a trail otherwise. Also, it runs right next to a railroad at Falls Park, with just a row of trees between. The trails connect ball parks, dog parks, playgrounds along the river. This river isn't much wider than the North Fork, and isn't as controlled." This situation is very similar to the potential North Fork Greenway as described in the Norfolk Park and Trail Master Plan.
http://picasaweb.google.com/NorthForkRiverwalk/SiouxFallsTrails#
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PrairieLand RC&D Sponsoring Used Electronics Collection
Press Release Jul 24 2010Bi-annual used electronic collection at the Madison Coumty Fair Grounds, August 3rd & 4th, 7 AM to 6 PM. Also, other recycleable products will be received such as aluminum cans, cardboard, appliances, #1 & #2 plastics.
http://www.Visioning2026.com/NorthFork/2010usedcomputerflyer.pdf
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City of Norfolk's Park and Trails Master Plan Published
Press Release Jul 23 2010The comprehensive Park and Trails Master Plan (13.5MB) has been published with a significant amount of history, current conditions, trends, future options, and suggested recommendations for future implementation. The report uses the numerous survey responses to help formulate a series of recommendations that can be implemented over a 10-20 year time frame with some short term suggestions within 1-3 years.
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North Fork River Greenway Highlighted
Press Release Jul 22 2010City of Norfolk Park and Trail Master Plan presentation slide material highlights the value of the greenway along and near the North Fork river.
The Trail System was voted at 40% as the most valued part of the park and trail.
63% percent of the voters in the survey indicated extending the trail system into additonal neighborhoods as important.
Johnson Park was ranked 4th behind Skyview Park, TaHaZouka, and Cowboy Trail their favorite park.
43% of survey voters agree or strongly agree that the North Fork Riverwalk Development is important to the development of the community.
66% agree or strongly agree that trails increase the property values.
Trails Recommendation #1 is to create a better north/south pathway system between NECC in the north and TaHaZouka in the south.
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Longer Term North Fork Riverfront Improvements
Press Release Jun 25 2010Call me a heretic, but "You never want a serious crisis to go to waste," Rahm Emanuel, Mr. Obama's new chief of staff.
We have the attention of the Corps of Engineers who are very active supporting the permit process to rebuild the railroad line southwest of Norfolk. While they are visiting our community should we not engage them on the Norfolk Sanitary District’s project to rebuild the bank pilings along the North Fork below the mill day spill way (box culvert). At the same time we should have them consider the reconnection of Johnson Park to the North Fork by removing the one block section of Nebraska Ave. and how this can support the City’s Park and Trail Master Plan. What can we do to improve the access to the natural resource water features and still satisfy the Corps of Engineers?
It is time to reconvene the “all parties” meeting at improving coordination and the future vision for historic center of the community to include Riverpoint, City’s Arts and Culture subcommittee, City’s Trail subcommittee (to be established), NorthFork Riverfront Development, Downtown Vehicle Parking District, Community Theater Association, Preservation Norfolk, Norfolk Economic Development Plan, as well as other connected activities. Joe Ferguson started the process recently and the recommendation was to reconvene with more participants from the community and established a structure to move forward to help everyone meet their needs as a collaborating team.
