Northfield Construction Company had three projects featured in articles in the Northfield News on Wednesday.

The first project was for the Northfield News itself. This work involved remodeling the News offices on Fifth Street.

It was a great job to be involved with, as the owners desired to keep the historical feel of the building for the new construction. We used appropriate wood trims, porcelain tiles, etc....and even included a beautiful pressed tin ceiling. The project created challenges for both Northfield Construction and the Northfield News to keep the News operating through all three phases of the work. The News staff was great to work with and genuinely appreciated the efforts put forth on the job. They are having an open house today for the community to inspect the "new" spaces. (Article: News to showcase renovations.)

The second job shown in the Northfield News (Article: Northfield Arts Guild theater is getting a facelift) is the Northfield Arts Guild remodeling.

We are constructing a new entrance and lobby for the NAG theater on Third Street. The work also includes installing an automatic fire suppression system in the building. The lobby of the old building was very cramped and tough to work well for play productions. As part of the work the lighting deck is being expanded, and there will be excellent new storage spaces created.

The final job noted in the Wednesday Northfield News is the remodeling we are doing for the Northfield School of Arts and Technology -- ARTtech. (Article: ARTech preparing for first year) ARTech is a new charter school starting up in Northfield. They are located in the former FrigoScandia building right across the street from our Northfield Construction Company shop.

ARTech had a difficult time finding a location in Northfield that would work for the school. Elementary schools are pretty much limited to on grade facilities...no above or below grade floors. In addition, the air handling requirements, fire regulations, etc. make it difficult to find exisiting buildings that can easily be adapted for school use. The FrigoScandia building did lend itself to their needs and should make a fine home for this new charter school.

(See photo galleries of these three projects and many others on our Commercial portfolio page.)

Our workers have been busy on these three commercial projects and many other residentail and commercial work. This spring and summer has found virtually all of our jobs in Northfield, so I'm sure we are working somewhere nearby every residence in Northfield. Watch for us in your neighborhood.

Posted by Ray Cox at 9:05 AM | Link

 
My wife Ellen stopped by and photographed two projects we finished up last fall and winter. It is good to see the projects completed and with lawns green.

The first project, Randolph United Methodist Church (RUMC), is all new construction. The RUMC congregation outgrew their former church in Randolph and decided to construct a new church on land owned by the church east of Randolph.

After requesting proposals from several area contractors, Northfield Construction Company was selected to assist the church with using a design-build process. We worked closely with Gordon Simonson, the RUMC representative, on the project. Everyone involved with the church enjoyed working with Gordon and RUMC members. We had a great time creating a wonderful new home for RUMC, completing it on time and within the established budget.

Randolph United Methodist Church joins First English Lutheran Church of Cannon Falls, First United Church of Christ in Northfield and Cannon Falls, St. John's Lutheran Church in Northfield as churches Northfield Construction Company worked on to improve or create facilities.

The other job Ellen photographed was a significant remodeling on West Second Street in Northfield. This home started out as a story and a half home.

(Before)
We modified it to a full two-story home, with a master suite in the third floor. Ellen grew up across the street from this home, so she was particularly interested in the project.

A project of this scope presents real challenges. The site is restricted by adjoining neighbors homes, so equipment access is limited. The work invovled removing the entire roof system on the existing home....and protecting the main floor from weather....all while constructing a new second and third floor.

The end result of a whole house remodeling such as this is a wonderful "new" home. The owners love the spaces we created for them, and everyone at Northfield Construction Company enjoyed working with the owners.

When owners of property know they want to stay in Northfield, like their existing home and location, a whole house remodeling is a good option to consider. Northfield Construction Company completes several large scale remodeling projects like this each year. I want to stress the fact that such projects require special employees and equipment to get the job done safely and properly. We maintain arial boom lifts, telescopic material handlers and a variety of other pieces of equipment that allow us to perform large residential remodeling projects.

But, the most important part of any large remodeling project is the workers on the site. Northfield Construction Company is fortunate to have well trained, knowledgeable workers that understand the unique challenges of residential remodeling. They don't drop their tools at 4:00 and drive away, leaving a home exposed to weather. They understand what it is like to live through a large remodeling project and take the time to see that things are done right and in the proper sequence.

When the work is finished up, we have a pleased client that loves their "new home". The many kind letters and invitations to open houses we receive are a testament to the fine work Northfield Construction Company employees do.

Posted by Ray Cox at 5:53 AM | Link

 
Work continues on Marshall and Carla Hansen's new home on East Sixth Street. In an earlier posting I included a photo of the demolition of their older home on this site.

The home we are constructing for Hansen's is a timber frame post and beam home, with structural insulated panels for the exterior walls and roof system. This work is mainly new to Northfield Construction Company, but is moving along well. The timberframes were assembled without incident two weeks ago. This week we worked at installing the structural insulated wall panels...or SIP's. In erecting the home it is obvious to all of us that the new home will be a very tight, energy conserving home.

Marshall and Carla have been wonderful to work with on this rather unique project. They are around and available most every day. Marshall was able to participate in raising the final beam in place for the roof....and then he shinnied up and attached a pine bough to the tallest member, a centuries old tradition called "topping off".

It is a very satisfying feeling to work so closely with a client to create a new home. All of us at Northfield Construction Company enjoy establishing these strong relationships with the people we build for. I think that is the part that drew me to this business 31 years ago...the people contact is great.

Posted by Ray Cox at 4:31 AM | Link

 
Early this spring Northfield Construction Company finished up new home in rural Rice County outside of Faribault. Gary Hanson from Prairie Creek Architects designed the home in the Prairie style of architecture. Gary did an excellent job designing this home, and Phil Olson, Northfield Construction's Site Superintendent, performed flawlessly in constructing the home.

The owners of this home, Gus and Helen, installed the exterior landscaping by themselves. They did a spectacular job of landscaping....complete with a large, rock-lined stream.

The stream runs along the south side of their home, and includes pools with goldfish. They also planted many bulbs and perennial flowers, so next spring the yard will be in full color.

Take a look at some of the photos Phil Olson took last time he was at the site, as well as earlier indoor photos of their house. I think you will agree that a good job of landscaping can enhance the beauty and enjoyment of a home.

Posted by Ray Cox at 4:50 AM | Link

 
My wife Ellen and I took a short vacation last week...so no postings to the weblog.

We drove to Devils Lake, North Dakota to visit Ellen's younger brother. She had not seen him for several years and wanted to make a connection. I had not been to North Dakota for many years. We enjoyed the drive out, but do appreciate Minnesota all the more.

When we finished with North Dakota we drove across the north part of Minnesota, stopping for a night in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids is a beautiful town of about 8,000 people. We had a short visit there and continued on to Silber Bay on the edge of Lake Superior. My brother Robert purchased a small motel...Whispering Pines....in April and has been operating it since that time. Ellen had not seen the motel.

Robert showed us all the improvements he has made in the past 4 months. Northfield Construction Company helped him out with some of the improvements. Rick Gates, a "do-all" employee, spent a couple weeks there creating a vending machine room and converting an unused out-building into one more rental unit. Robert thoroughly enjoyed working alongside Rick and helping him with the projects. Like many people, Robert is frustrated that his plumber has held up some of the work. The new rental unit is all set to go, but the bathroom is not finished, so the unit cannot be rented. Robert gets people stopping everyday that want to rent the single room. Hopefully, the plumber will finish his work this week and Robert will be able to rent the unit shortly.

It is wonderful having such great employees. Ellen and I could safely and confidently take a few days off knowing that work would continue and all would be under control at Northfield Construction Company.

Posted by Ray Cox at 4:02 AM | Link

 
Since the Fourth of July fell on a Friday, everyone at Northfield Construction Company enjoyed a three-day weekend. It was great to be with friends and family and relax a bit. The heat and humidity last week was very hard on people working outside in the sun. All the workers at Northfield Construction Company are trained about the dangers of heat exhaustion and sun stroke. The Fourth of July provided a good break from long, hot days.

I was with my family at our lake cabin in Moose Lake, Minnesota over the Fourth. While I was walking down the road early Friday morning, who should come running up behind me but Justin Stets. We constructed a new home for Justin and Kristin (Carlson) two years ago. Justin was visiting with his brother who has a cabin on the lake.

The next day I connected with Greg and Nancy Carlson, Gary and Mary Carlson, and Jeff Carlson at the 7th Annual SandMan Triathalon....a scaled down fun verison of the guelling event. Northfield Construction Company built Greg and Nancy's home and Gary and Mary's home about 5 years ago. This past winter we finished up a large remodeling project for Jeff and Stacy Carlson. It is fun to run into clients in "non-standard" locations...and even better to have them thank you for good work.

Now it is back to work!

Posted by Ray Cox at 7:06 PM | Link

 
We added photos to:

* The Perry house in the residential portfolio section.


* The Northfield Arts Guild Theatre and the Berglund 4-Plex in the commercial portfolio.

Posted by Griff Wigley at 7:51 AM | Link

 
One of the fun things that we at Northfield Construction Company participate in is the sponshorship of community youth activities. Northfield Construction Company has sponsored and supported youth baseball, wrestling, softball, music programs, drama and plays and all sorts of other activities over the years.

It is always rewarding to hear from the different teams and groups we support. Last month the Northfield Construction Company youth baseball team stopped by to thank me for supporting their team. It was great to talk to these 7-8 year olds and their parents. The children clearly enjoyed participating in the youth baseball program.

I'm pleased that the employees of Northfield Construction Company can support such groups and organizations....it is the type of community building that makes Northfield a great place to live, work and play.

Posted by Ray Cox at 7:12 AM | Link