The North Fork Blog

  • NorthFork Riverwalk Visioning Session for Citizens

    Press Release Apr 5 2009

    NorthFork Riverwalk Development Project will host along with HDR Engineering Inc. a community visioning session, Thursday, April 16, 2009, 5:30-8:30 PM, Knight of Columbus Hall, 105 West Elm St. Norfolk, NE 68701. The public is invited to attend. Food will be provided during the event. Contact the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce to reserve your seat, 405 Madison Ave, Norfolk, NE 68701, 402-371-4862, email: information@norfolk.ne.us.

    The session will start with a overview of the master plan effort, review of the Interview Session responses collected February 9th & 10th, an overview of 6 community case studies that include features that Norfolk might consider, conducting a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) Analysis by participants, a Geographic “Mapping” exercise, followed by a Vision Statement Exercise. The Geograhic Mapping Exercise allows participants the opportunity to describe their vision for the project area.

    Participants will be grouped around tables to help interact during these exercises. The primary goal is to establish a vision for the North Fork river corridor project that runs over 3 miles through the community along with identifying more tangible goals.

    The NorthFork Riverwalk Development Project board of directors invite members from service clubs, employees and owners of local businesses and industries, property owners along and near the river corridor, students, teachers, retired citizens, and families to attend this open community event that will help shape the future of the community.

    For further questions please contact the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce, 405 Madison Ave, Norfolk, NE 68701, 402-371-4862. Additional background material can be found at website, http://www.NorthForkNE.com and http://picasaweb.google.com/NorthForkRiverwalk.

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    Please contact Mark Hall, Steering Committee Chair, throught the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce (402) 371-4862, northforkriverwalk@gmail.com for media questions.

    http://picasaweb.google.com/NorthForkRiverwalk/VisioningSessionFlyer#

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  • Understanding the Private/Public Investment Picture

    Press Release Mar 26 2009

    NorthFork Public/Private Investment Strategy

    This slide helps explain how the public/private venture, given the existing investments along with new private investments and the economic development impact will generate sufficient revenue for public investments without increasing existing tax levies. Total value  $74.150M

    • $   4,900,000.00  Flood Control Diversion – 1.5M in 1968 with 3% inflation rate
    • $    1,400,000.00  Public Lands, Acres, valued --70 acres at $20,000/acre ~$0.50/sq ft)
    • $       350,000.00  Master Plan
    • $ 20,000,000.00  Current Investment within Corridor  ($100,000/100 ft of frontage with a depth of 600 ft)( e.g., $2M YMCA (1978), $1.7M Arts Center (2000)) (Outside corridor--$16M Veterans Home (2001) , Nucor Detailing Center (2009), NPPD Call Center (2006), NPPD Engineering and Support Center (TBD)
    • $ 20,000,000.00  Private Investment (proposed),
    • $ 20,000.000.00  Economic Development (ED) Impact, statistically the impact is between 3 to 8 times the value of the investment
    • $   7,500,000.00  Public funds generated from private investment and operations and ED impact (e.g., approx. 1.5% of private investment) based on $5M invested each 5 year period ($375K/ 5 year period with compounding each 5 years) (double it to include the ED impact)
    • $ 74,150,000.00  Total Investment with project public revenue with current year dollars.

    http://picasaweb.google.com/NorthForkRiverwalk/InvestmentStrategy#

     

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  • Interview Session Summary Report

    Press Release Mar 26 2009

    The following Interview Session Summary Report was compiled by HDR Engineering Inc. staff members, released March 26, 2009.

    On February 23rd and 24th, the North Fork Development Project hosted a series of small group interviews to identify opportunities for development along the north branch of the Elkhorn River through the City of Norfolk.  Interview participants represented a cross section of the Norfolk community, including business and property owners, artists, teenagers, young professionals, tourism representatives, educators and interested community members.  Each group responded to the same questions about the river and the future of Norfolk.  Responses varied from group to group, but over the two days, several common themes emerged.

    All respondents considered the river an underused asset.  Primary users of the river were difficult to identify.  Most commonly cited uses included children fishing and the Relay for Life duck race.  It was generally believed that most people in Norfolk were unfamiliar with the stretch of river that runs through town, or if they were familiar with the river, they were unsure if the river could/should be used.  Many participants felt that the river could become the signature or post card image for Norfolk. Ultimately, the development project should be more than just a landmark.  It should also improve the overall quality of life in Norfolk to benefit everyone in the city, help attract and retain jobs, and make Norfolk a regional destination for visitors.

    In order to be successful, interviewees suggested that the North Fork Development Project should build upon Norfolk’s genuine, hometown qualities and should strive to become a relaxed, friendly environment for families.  Uses for the riverfront should focus on:

    • Active and passive recreation – Walking/biking paths, picnic areas, play fields, natural open space, etc.
    • Arts – Public art display opportunities, sculpture gardens, and arts-based activities
    • Amphitheater – A venue for live performances such as the Comedy Festival acts or concerts
    • Education – Science, environmental, and horticultural learning opportunities for students of all ages, school age to life-long learners
    • Unique dining and shopping– Boutique or specialty dining and retail not found in other places in Norfolk, particularly independently owned businesses
    • Housing – Nontraditional housing styles for Norfolk including rental properties for long-term professional placements and condominium or townhouses for purchase by young professionals, young families and empty nesters
    • Civic building – City and county administrative offices
    • Event and programming opportunities - Coordination and management of events was seen as particularly important as several events that had been held in the past had been scaled back or discontinued. 

    Engaging all ages in the community, from youth to senior, is critical for the North Fork Development Project.  Also important for the success of the project are small, but highly visible projects that can be implemented quickly and inexpensively in order to build momentum and interest for larger, long-term investments.  In the past, participants noted that the City has not been perceived as entrepreneurial or open to new ideas.  All hoped the riverwalk development project would be a partnership building process for the City, local businesses, schools and community organizations.

    http://picasaweb.google.com/NorthForkRiverwalk/InterviewSessionSummaryReport#

     

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  • Over Sixty Interviewed on the NorthFork Project

    Press Release Feb 27 2009

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    February 27, 2009

    Over Sixty Interviewed on the NorthFork Project

    The NorthFork Riverwalk Development Project completed an important step as part of the Master Plan effort. On February 23 and 24. HDR Engineering Inc. and S.B Friedman staff interviewed over 60 individuals through a series of twelve sessions. Besides the questions listed below the HDR and S.B Friedman staff asked questions like “What do you think of when you put an image of Norfolk on a postcard?”,“What would you like to do here that you go elsewhere for?”, and “What qualities does the community have that are important for current and future residents?”

    Who currently uses the river?  How do they use it?

    What positive qualities of Norfolk should the NorthFork Development Project capitalize upon?

    How do you envision residents and visitors using the NorthFork Development?

    Are there any specific uses that would not be appropriate for the NorthFork Development?

    What specific features are necessary for a successful NorthFork Development Project?

    In addition to collecting information from participants HDR staff also took the opportunity to take pictures of the NorthFork riverfront corridor to help prepare for the community visioning sessions scheduled for April 16th. The next phase of the master plan effort involving the community includes two visioning sessions.  These sessions will incorporate the results from the interview sessions along with the case study of other communities that have completed redevelopment efforts. Individuals will gather around tables and will interact with other participants, maps, pictures, and other information to start developing a vision statement for the NorthFork Development project. Goals and priorities will be initially development that will lead into the economic feasibility phase of the project. An extended luncheon visioning session with steering committee and key community stakeholders will be followed by a general public session in the early evening. Citizens are encouraged to attend representing different organizations, e.g., youth organizations, service clubs, entertainment and recreation enthusiasts, and community and businesses leaders, as they will be helping to define the vision statement and goals for the project.

    Citizens can still provide their comments concerning the interview questions by sending an email to info@NorthForkNE.com, or postings comments on the project’s website at: 

    http://www.northforkne.com/blog/press/northfork-river-corridor-possible-features/

    The NorthFork Riverwalk Development Project Master Plan effort was kicked-off on January 27th with a lunch, Steering Committee meeting, 2-hour tour of the North Fork river corridor, logo design award, National Park Service presentation and a public forum with panel discussion with HDR and S.B. Friedman staff members. The Master Plan process includes four contractual tasks with HDR currently under contract to complete the first two tasks projected for completion in May 2009.  The NorthFork Master Plan will integrate community input with case studies from development projects from other communities, a economic feasibility analysis, and a corridor design that is expected to be incorporated into the City’s Comprehensive Plan. For further information on the Master Plan contractual tasks visit the following website address: http://www.visioning2026.com/NorthFork/HDR/2008-05-23DraftScope(withoutTrackedChanges).pdf

    Steering Committee members are looking for fund raising as well as community service activities (e.g., Keep the North Fork Beautiful) to bring more attention to this valuable and underutilized resource and support a NorthFork Riverfront rebirth. Contact Steering Committee through the website or Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce Office, 402-371-4862.

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    Mark Hall, Steering Committee Chair

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  • City identity and attracting educated youth

    Press Release Feb 25 2009

    As region and community how can we take advantage of the Norfolk Area Recruiters, Elkhorn Valley Economic Development Council, the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce's Connecting Leaders in the Community (CLiC) and other civic and business organizations to help improve our community? The Master Plan effort for the NorthFork Riverfront Corridor can help bring out community together and build concensous.

    Interesting blog entry covering a report by CEOs for Cities titled "The Young and Restless in the Knowledge Economy." The gist of the report is that educated 25-34 year olds are the long-term lifeblood of a city, because they usually don't move after that age, so if you can attract them during that time, you can probably keep them long-term.

    Conclusions from their executive summary:

    • Young educated people are the most mobile people in the U.S. population.
    • Young educated people are an indicator of a city's economic vitality, but they are also a key contributor to economic vitality.
    • People in the 25 to 34 year-old group are the most entrepreneurial in our society.
    • For the first time, women in this age group are better educated than men, making them key to developing a base of talent.
    • Place matters: young educated people are being disproportionately drawn to certain cities, and once in them, they are more likely to choose vibrant, close-in neighborhoods than other Americans.

    Final recommendations included the following:

    Competing for Talent

    • Make people the focus of economic development
    • Become a city where women and ethnically diverse young people can achieve their goals
    • Openness and engagement are key to rooting talent in place
    • Investing in higher education is important, but it won't solve the problem (must attract and retain or they will simply move elsewhere)
    • Vibrant urban neighborhoods are an economic asset
    • The economic importance of being different

    Interesting report, Making Better Places: Ten Resolutions for Mayors, By Jeff Speck.
    The world’s cities are changing every day. Some are becoming better places to live, some worse.
    Cities improve or worsen as a result of many intersecting forces, but if any one person has the ability
    to lead this change—or at least exert an influence—it is the American mayor.

    A related Wallstreet Journal article, In Science and Technology, Efforts to Lure Women Back

    A new bright spot is emerging. Small, innovative return-to-work programs are springing up in other sectors -- specifically in science, engineering and technology. Prospects for long-term job growth in these fields are relatively good, and many employers expect a talent shortage, partly because of high quit rates among experienced women.

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  • Impacts of Trails and Trail Use

    Press Release Feb 23 2009

    This website has a comprehensive list of research material on the impacts of trails and their use.

    Studies of the impacts of trails and greenways, surveys of outdoor recreation activities, and research on adjacent landowner concerns and property values.

    http://www.americantrails.org/resources/adjacent/index.html

    Economic Impact of Trails

    Business on the trails, economic impact studies, economic benefits, trails and tourism, valuing trails, and other ways that outdoor recreation and greenways contribute to the economy and livability of communities

    http://www.americantrails.org/resources/economics/index.html

    This particular slide presentation does a nice job of summarizing the data (rail to trail) on several surveys concerning Crime, Property Values, Trail Opposition, & Liability Issues.

    http://atfiles.org/files/pdf/CrimeOppLiability.pdf

    Here are a couple articles on surveys related to Nebraska. The Omaha survey included the following conclusions.

    Omaha Recreational Trails: Their Effect on Property Values and Public Safety, Study completed 2001 by Project Director Donald L. Greer, Ph.D., of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Recreation and Leisure Studies Program.

    • The Omaha recreational trails are used often by nearby residents. Over half (58.4%) of the responding used the trails daily or weekly.
    • Omaha trails are generally perceived by nearby residents as an economic benefit. Almost two-thirds of those surveyed felt the trails would increase the selling price of their home.
    • Property owners do not appear to have a widespread concern for their safety. Trespassing, theft and vandalism by trail users were relatively infrequent events.
    • Very few residents in the sample had increased home security, considered moving or wanted the trail closed.
    • Residents living along the trails appear to perceive there to be a positive relationship between the trails and neighborhood quality of life (75%).
    • There are noticeable differences between trails (or neighborhoods) in residents' reaction to Omaha trails. All neighborhoods reacted positively to the trails, but the responses were higher among residents living near the West Papio Trail.

    http://www.americantrails.org/resources/adjacent/OmahaStudy.html

    http://www.americantrails.org/resources/adjacent/NebRuralTrStudy.html

    Here’s an excerpt from one study that I found interesting.

    In 1997 the Schenectady County Department of Planning surveyed property owners adjacent to the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail. The goal was to look for better documentation of possible impacts of the trail on adjoining neighbors as well as the larger community. The trail sees about 350,000 trail user trips a year.

    Survey questionnaires were mailed to all 315 residential property owners immediately adjacent to the off-street portions of the trail route. Responses totalled 215, or 68%, of the owners. Most homes are located between 100 and 200 feet from the trail. Use of the trail is 44% bicycling, 31% walking, 18% running, and 7% in-line skating.

    Overall, landowners feel that the trail has no effect on, or has improved their ability to sell their homes. Similarly, most feel the trail has no effect on, or has actually increased the value of their property.

    Overall, respondents also reported that living near the trail is somewhat better than they had expected it to be and the quality of their neighborhood was improved modestly. The benefits considered most important by landowners were safe opportunities for recreation, health, and fitness pursuits. In fact, 40% of adjoining households used the trail daily or frequently. Only 14% never use the trail.

    Landowners also overwhelmingly reported that development and management of trails such as the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail is a good use of public funds.

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  • NorthFork River Corridor Possible Features

    Press Release Feb 18 2009

    In preparation for the upcoming Interview Sessions on Feb. 23rd and 24th we've listed some possible features that we may considered for the NorthFork Riverfront Master Plan.  Many of these features are a collection of ideas that have been mentioned over the past two years. There is no particular order or priority implied in the listing.

    Life-long Learning
      Regional destination for school field trips
      Botanical garden
      Tree and shrub nursery
      Wetlands/Biological pools -- use as offsets for developments in other areas of the City, divert water to north end of the existing ox bows (North of Norfolk Country Club) to implement filtration process before reentering main North Fork channel
      Information/technology/historical kiosks  (e.g., heritage walk)
      Smart grid technologies (electrical usage) with descriptions of implemented technologies
      Landscaping technologies (water restrictions, water reuse, plants, rocks, soil erosion, bank stabilization, etc.)
      Promote/incentivize recycling/reuse/reduce culture
      Wellness activities/features for mind and body
      Integrated services with Norfolk Public Schools, YMCA, Library, Arts Center, and Historical Museum
      Implement adopt a river/corridor section (similar to the State's Adopt a Highway Program)

    Buildings
      Net Zero energy designs for 5,000 plus square feet facilities using smart grid an renewable energy technologies
      Promote/incentivize renewable energy technologies, solar, wind, geothermal
      Architecture designed to a theme for a particular section(s) of the corridor

      High rise mix use living complex (near senior center?)
      Condominium complex, community within a community
      Low maintenance single family housing, zero stepup design
      Temporary housing/RV park with cabins  
      Extended Living Accommodations --   School and business intern housing facility

      Electrical plug-in receptacles for electric vehicles

      Reactive the hydroelectric power station with new turbine technology

      Incorporate a wireless mesh corridor (support multiple media technologies)

      Integrated mix use office building with City, Norfolk School District, County, State and economic and community development activities

      Creative and entrepreneurial center—business incubator – Collocated with multi-generational living community

    Commercial/Retail
      Follow a design theme with possible historic and future trends significance
      Parking integrated with surface water retention and green space priorities
      Restaurant(s) suited/amplified for riverfront location
      Specialized retail for year-around operations
      Water sports equipment and services
      Office complex with multiple services provided (e.g., health, finance, retail)

    Entertainment
      Walking mall with variety of restaurants, eating/drinking and specialty shops
      Outdoor  Amphitheater, miniature Hollywood Bowl, concerts on the green, sledding hill in winter
      Open area mall with canopy covers and tree shade

    Recreation
      Pedestrian path with historical/creative design features
      Bike and electric vehicle path
      Biological pools/swimming
      Splash park converted to ice skating in winter
     
      Kayak/canoe/inner tube, stock tank launch/portage areas, upper and lower
      Artificial Whitewater features
      Amphitheater , miniature Hollywood Bowl, concerts on the green, sledding hill in winter
      Skate park
      Cowboy Trail, trailhead

      Enclosed multi-purpose sports and activity center (large enough to play a soccer game)
      Partially enclosed aquatic center for year around use

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  • Artificial Whitewater Courses

    Press Release Feb 17 2009

    More and more communities are consider different outdoor activities to support an active lifestyle for their citizens as well as creating a destination for sports and recreation enthusiats. Here are a couple examples of what has been developed.

    U.S. National Whitewater Center, the world's largest artificial whitewater river and an official U.S. Olympic Training Site. The 307-acre public adventure-sport facility includes whitewater rafting and kayaking, mountain biking and hiking trails, a climbing center and a ropes course, along with a 2,400 square-foot conference center and 300-seat River's Edge Bar & Grill - all overlooking the home rapids of the U.S. National Slalom Canoe/Kayak Team.

    The Adventure Sports Center International (ASCI) sits at the summit of Marsh Mountain  in McHenry, Maryland. It is ten minutes from the Upper Yough put-in and five minutes from Deep Creek Lake. Its immediate neighbor is the WISP ski resort. McHenry is 3 hours from the Washington,DC area, 2 hours from Pittsburgh, and within a 3 hour drive for over 26 million people.

    Kids learning to kayak in a community pool for summer outdoor adventures.

    Department of Water Resources to shed light on proposed Whitewater Park.

    Paddlefest, photo gallery of the artificial whitewater course in Nottingham, UK is currently undergoing dramatic remodelling work.

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  • Riverfront Features in Other Communities

    Press Release Feb 17 2009

    The following list of websites represent numerous examples of features incorporated into community river corridors. When you find other examples please add those websites through the comments section of the blog.

     

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  • NorthFork Project Begins Community Interviews

    Press Release Feb 15 2009

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    February 15, 2009

    NorthFork Project Begins Community Interviews

    The NorthFork Riverwalk Development Project schedules interview sessions for Steering Committee and Key Community Stakeholders, on February 23 and 24. HDR Engineering Inc. is working on the first two of four phases of the Master Plan effort. HDR staff will be conducting twelve interview sessions in groups of three for approximately 1 hour each. On Monday, February the 23th at 6 PM the board of directors is hosting a special Founders' Group session for those numerous committee members that started this journey over 2 years ago. An additional Key Stakeholders breakfast session is scheduled for 7 AM, February 24th. These interview sessions are being held at the Life Long Learning Center on the Northeast Nebraska Community College campus.

    If you have comments or would like to be scheduled for an interview session (NLT 02/19/09) please contact the Steering Committee through email at info@NorthForkNE.com, or call Lonn Atwood or Mark Hall through the Norfolk Area Chamber office (402) 371-4862. The public can also post comments on the project's website at:
    http://www.northforkne.com/blog/press/northfork-interview-session-comments/
    The public will have the opportunity again in April to provide comments as part of the Visioning Sessions.

    HDR staff has prepared a series of five opened ended interview questions. The answers to these questions, other comments and
    suggestions will be incorporated into the Visioning Sessions scheduled in two months along with HDR's case study of other communities and their riverfront development projects. The list of questions used for the interview session include:

    • Who currently uses the river?  How do they use it?
    • What positive qualities of Norfolk should the NorthFork Development Project capitalize upon?
    • How do you envision residents and visitors using the NorthFork Development?
    • Are there any specific uses that would not be appropriate for the NorthFork Development?
    • What specific features are necessary for a successful NorthFork Development Project?


    The NorthFork Riverwalk Development Project Master Plan effort was kicked-off on January 27th with a lunch, Steering Committee meeting, 2-hour tour of the North Fork river corridor, logo design award, National Park Service presentation and a public forum with panel  discussion with HDR and S.B. Friedman staff members. The Master Plan process includes four contractual tasks with HDR currently under contract to complete the first two tasks projected for completion in May 2009.  The NorthFork Master Plan will integrate community input with case studies from development projects from other communities, a economic feasibility analysis, and a corridor design that is expected to be incorporated into the City's Comprehensive Plan. For further information on the Master Plan contractual tasks visit the following website address:
    http://www.visioning2026.com/NorthFork/HDR/2008-05-23DraftScope(withoutTrackedChanges).pdf

    Steering Committee members are looking for fund raising fun activities to help share the passion for the NorthFork Riverfront rebirth.
    Contact Lonn, Mark or send an email with your ideas and support.

    The NorthFork Riverwalk Development Project began from a "seed" replanted in the minds of fellow citizens from the Visioning 2026 Project. The original concept was investigated back in 1975 but fell out of view due to public only funding budget issues. This transformed project is now considering public/private funding, first starting with the Master Plan.

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