Round 2: Bismarck, ND vs. Northfield, VT
Welcome to the second round of the sixth annual Strongest Town Competition! This contest is our annual celebration of the towns and cities across North America who are building stronger communities, even in times of uncertainty and change.
We’re down to our top eight contestants, and for this round, we asked them to cut back on the text and instead send us five photos, with a caption for each explaining how it illustrates the strength of their city.
Check out the photo submissions from two of our elite eight contenders below, and cast your vote at the bottom of the page!
Voting closes at 12pm CDT on Thursday, March 25th.
BISMARCK, ND
Entry submitted by: Kate Herzog, Daniel Nairn, Dawn Kopp, Madison Cermak
Kessel Run Infill—4 Walk-Up Style Condos
Bismarck's Infill & Redevelopment Plan opened the door to small-scale infill developers. This project is on the site of a single-family home that burned down and sat vacant for decades. Now a local developer just sold the last of the four condos fit on to that lot, to first-time homebuyers at very attainable prices. There are more than two dozen Bismarck Infill & Redevelopment Plan Strategies, many of which have been accomplished—like reducing or eliminating parking minimums, legalizing ADUs, and contextual set-backs for infill—and much more completed or in progress.
Native Species and Plants in Urban Spaces
Bismarck has a private-public partnership with North Dakota Game & Fish to introduce native species and pollinator plants into our urban spaces. The city, state, parks, private business, and public organizations came together to plant these urban beds, with more to come. Doing the math, these beds are perennial low-maintenance plantings with a high impact to bring more nature into the downtown and support native plants, insects and animals (including humans).
Temporary Bump-out Project
North Dakota Department of Transportation, the City of Bismarck, Downtowners and GO! Bismarck collaborated on this temporary bump-out project. Named by some as "pizza corner," this project was at a high ped/car intersection in our Downtown. Drivers didn't love it, but again the data showed positive results, including increased stop-bar compliance and shorter crossing length near a 100 housing unit HUD building. Ultimately it hasn't been made permanent yet—but the demonstration we feel was a success and we may see it crop up again.
“Art Alley”
Alley 5.2, or "Art Alley," was a Bismarck private-public partnership started by a Chamber leadership class. The project leads partnered with the Bismarck Parking Authority (city) and local artists and arts organizations to add a mural to each panel of the parking ramp. Additions followed the next year with more murals on the south-side of the alley on private buildings. Events have been held here (pictured is the Bismarck Cancer Center fundraiser) and it's our #1 Instagram spot. Murals of Native American leaders, bison, and pickle jars orient visitors and residents to their location on the beautiful prairie. Coming this spring will be a commercial solar lighting system awarded through a North Dakota Vibrancy Grant to make the alley more usable in evening and winter months.
Main Avenue Road Diet
The City of Bismarck, with support from Downtown Business Association and our healthy communities coalition, supported a road diet from four lanes to three lanes. The public was mixed on the demonstration project seen here. But the data showed increased pedestrian counts, fewer severe car accidents, and a 380% increase in commercial permits after the conversion. The permanent version has now been installed with help from NDDOT, including new signal lights and timing adjustments. Merchants along the avenue have seen improvements in the pedestrian activity as well, with more than 85% supporting the project after the demonstration period.
NORTHFIELD, VT
Entry submitted by: Bonnie Kirn Donahue, Lydia Petty, Denise MacMartin, Carolyn Stevens, Jeff Schulz, Jon Ignatowski
A Town-Gown Relationship Like No Other
When Tropical Storm Irene slammed into Northfield on August 28, 2011, Norwich University students joined the Northfield community and responded together with commensurate force. Within hours, a group of cadets were on the scene, fighting the raging flood waters of the Dog River to rescue 25 Northfield residents throughout the night. In the following weeks, Norwich students continued to show their commitment to the community and contributed a total of 3,865 hours in relief and cleanup efforts. Norwich University also established a relief fund that raised over $116,000 for Northfielders devastated by the flood. A close partnership with Norwich, a top-ranked military university and the birthplace of the ROTC, is what makes Northfield a strong and resilient town.
Photo provided by Norwich University
A Small Town with Generations of Big Ideas
While Northfield may only have 6,200 residents, we have some of the most innovative and creative residents in the country! Northfield is the “Sock Capital of the World”, home to the Darn Tough company which keeps 100% of its manufacturing in Northfield and offers a lifetime warranty on their products. The CEO, Ric Cabot (shown below), summed up their corporate philosophy succinctly: "Nobody ever outsourced anything for quality.”
Northfielders are a robust community of entrepreneurs, craftspeople, artisans, tradespeople, and producers. Northfield is home to many dedicated family-owned, multi-generational businesses that have served Northfield for decades. We are also fortunate to welcome new businesses that bring fresh ideas and products into town, such as the renowned Carrier Roasting Company and Good Measure Brewing Co. From cabinetry to consulting, Northfield possesses a robust ecosystem of small businesses that makes us resilient to the vicissitudes of macroeconomic forces.
Photo provided by Darn Tough Vermont
Strong Recreation Networks That Encourage Health
Northfield is a recreational hub of the region, offering accessible outdoor opportunities to residents of all ages and abilities. For those seeking an adventurous jaunt, the Municipal Forests and Norwich’s Shaw Center offer a total of 1,300 acres—for hiking, running, mountain biking, and skiing—all within a short walk from the village center. Our three municipal parks feature walking trails, sports fields, playgrounds, picnic areas and a public pool. Recently, a group of engaged citizens won a $90,000 grant for a pedestrian and trail master plan to improve connectivity between the downtown and its recreational assets. Resiliency is not possible without health, and Northfield’s strength lies within its robust network of recreational assets that encourage healthy lifestyles.
Photo provided by John Knox, of Vermont by a Vermonter
Northfield Shines When the Going Gets Tough
Northfield’s greatest strength is our ability to work together during tough times. When Tropical Storm Irene knocked the Town down, our community stood up and waded into sodden basements, distributed emergency provisions, and provided financial relief. When COVID-19 struck, a similar outpouring ensued. Northfielders ensured that local food and clothing shelves were always full, and a Mask Brigade sewed almost 3,000 masks to distribute to residents.
Northfield’s love is also evident in the ways the community spread joy in the past year. Instead of abandoning our yearly May Day celebration, local children painted their likeness on plywood cutouts and splashed the Common with color (shown below); art walks and story walks enticed citizens outdoors to exercise both the body and mind; the local library responded to the pandemic by increasing services rather than ceasing them; and the Northfield Gardeners group tended seventeen public gardens which boosted the community’s spirits. This is all to say that, as we sat sequestered and isolated in our homes, our compassion remained unbroken.
Photo provided by John Knox, of Vermont by a Vermonter
A Future Guided by Community Volunteers
Northfield is a town shaped by the tenacity and vision of community groups. The Gray Building, below, was built in 1877 and served as a public school until 1994. To preserve the beloved building, a group of dedicated citizens raised funds to purchase and restore the structure. Today, the Gray Building is home to several local businesses, and is a locus of Northfield’s pride.
The Recreation Committee has worked creatively for years, bringing fun, year-round programming to the community. And in 2019, volunteers from the Conservation Commission worked together to raise money to purchase a local mountain summit to conserve for ecological and recreational use. Northfielders dug deep into their pockets to make the purchase possible. These are just a few of many examples of the impact that volunteers have on the life, land and infrastructure in Northfield.
Photo provided by John Knox, of Vermont by a Vermonter
