Norfolk, Nebraska making big improvements to downtown, riverfront areas

NORFOLK, Neb. (KTIV) - From downtown growth to new stores coming to the mall, Norfolk is touting its growth in Northeast Nebraska.

Home to roughly 26,000 people, Norfolk was recently awarded a grant from the State of Nebraska to help improve its community. The $435,000 Community Development Block Grant is being used in several ways. The most notable is the effort to add more lighting to downtown Norfolk.

“We’ve seen a lot of growth and progress over downtown in recent years,” said Mayor Josh Moenning. “And one of the things that we’ve wanted to do with that is making lighting more prevalent throughout the district to make pedestrian safety, especially at night enhanced.”

Another big improvement to the Norfolk community is a redesign of the riverfront. The city is in the final stages of the North Fork Riverfront Redevelopment project, set to open Memorial Day weekend.

“That’ll feature an 8-drop structure over a half-mile span that can be used for kayaking and tubing, with a white-water trail right in the middle of mile and a half-two mile trail that goes through Norfolk,” said Moenning. “Johnson Park, which is right next door, is going through complete renovations. There will be a new amphitheater for performance arts, an ice skating rink. new sports courts, nature playgrounds.”

New retailers are also opening at the Sun Coast mall. Kohl’s opened this week, with TJ Maxx coming soon.

Norfolk also celebrating another accomplishment after being recognized as one of the strongest towns in North America. Norfolk was voted the runner-up for the 9th annual Strongest Town Contest.

16 towns from across North America are pitted in a bracket-style contest. This competition relies on community votes. Norfolk was also recognized for the “Most Progress Toward a Robust & Responsive Housing Supply.”

”It promotes principals of fiscal sustainability, high quality of life, safe streets, walk-ability, all of those things in communities across America, Canada, all of North America,” explained Moenning. “Norfolk, as far as I know, has been the only Nebraska community in the competition since it started nine years ago so that was pretty cool to see, too.”

Norfolk came in 2nd behind Maumee, Ohio.

Copyright 2024 KTIV. All rights reserved.