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Community Events/News

Start Date Title Tags Description
Mar 08, 2025 07:00 PM TaikoArts Midwest ('culture', 'arts') TaikoArts Midwest will perform a high-energy, all-ages event at The Historic Chateau Theatre as the culmination of their week-long Sound School residency. We hope to see you there!
Mar 01, 2025 12:00 PM BLACK EXCELLENCE EXPO ('diversity', 'NAACP', 'Entrepreneurship') Come see and support Black and Minority businesses in the local and surrounding areas
Mar 01, 2025 11:30 AM Common Cause: Community Townhall ('diversity', 'housing', 'governance', 'Culture', 'health', 'key', 'civic engagement') Directly ask your state legislators what they're doing to improve you everyday life!
Feb 28, 2025 07:00 PM The Sound of Gospel Music ('art', 'NAACP') The Sound of Gospel Music is an exciting, entertaining musical production that chronicles the impact of gospel music on all genres of American music from folk to big band to hip hop. During Black History month 2024, three Rochester community members attended a production of this program in Minneapolis and were inspired to bring it to Rochester.
Feb 26, 2025 10:00 AM A View of Black History ('Diversity',) Remembering the Past to Create a Better Future
Feb 25, 2025 05:00 PM Cradle to Career Plan Review Due ('youth', 'c2c', 'education', 'key') Please review the attached slide deck and then complete the Google Form link below to share feedback. They asked that you please complete the form with your feedback by Tuesday, February 25th.
Feb 20, 2025 07:00 PM History Center: Seeking A New Understanding of MN's Role in the Underground Railroad ('education',) Hear about the recent discovery of documentation
Feb 15, 2025 05:30 PM UMR Black Student Union: Ebony Night ('diversity', 'Education', 'NAACP', 'UMR') Harlem Nights Roaring 20s
Feb 12, 2025 10:00 AM Rochester Housing Alliance Feb 12, 2025 ('RAF', 'housing', 'openbeam', 'key') HEAR & HOMES Programs - Dave Reichart & April Sutor; Onward Civic Center Drive Presentation by Chris Osmundson; Olmsted County Building; HUD 515 Properties Data
Feb 12, 2025 12:00 PM Safe Spaces at Work: Creating a Culture of Inclusion and Belonging ('city', 'rps', 'dmc', 'diversity', 'key', 'community engagement') In today’s evolving workplace landscape, fostering a culture of safety and inclusion is more critical than ever. With ongoing conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), employees and organizations alike are navigating challenges in creating environments where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered.
Feb 11, 2025 06:30 PM When Driving is Not an Option ('transportation', 'community') Join author Anna Zivarts in a presentation and discussion of what Rochester can gain by creating a community accessible to all! Over 30% of our country cannot drive. Here in Rochester, that number is even higher.
Feb 11, 2025 10:00 AM RPS Feb 2025 Family Engagement Meeting: RPS Chemical Health Counseling ('RPS', 'youth', 'key', 'addiction', 'education') During this session, our team of RPS Chemical Health Counselors will share insights into their work and its connection to families. This is a valuable opportunity to learn how they support students, access helpful resources for families, and partner with family-facing staff.
Feb 10, 2025 01:00 PM Advancing Health Equity ('health', 'diversity', 'key') Empowering Immigrant and Refugee Communities
Feb 10, 2025 12:00 PM Feb 2025 Rochester Vision 2050 Community Engagement ('co-design', 'governance', 'community', 'key', 'openbeam') Our city has undertaken a broad array of initiatives to create a bright future for her citizens and constituencies. These should be guided by a clear, optimistic, aspirational vision. 2050: Far enough for limitless possibilities; close enough to begin today to serve Rochester’s next generation and beyond. Vision 2050 Steering Committee guides this initiative A large volunteer group will put “Vision in Action”, using co-design to engage the community to share ideas and priorities for Rochester’s future.
Feb 06, 2025 09:30 AM Feb 2025 DMCC Board Meeting ('DMC',)
Feb 01, 2025 10:00 AM Reflection to Action: Human Rights, Racial Justice, and Lessons from Skin Deep ('diversity', 'NAACP') Skin Deep is a PBS documentary written by Prexy Nesbitt and Marian Marzynski. The documentary examines the fight against legal, institutionalized racism in the United States and South Africa, from the 1950s through the 1990s, through interviews with the people who took their protests against segregation and inequality into the streets and beyond, forcing remarkable changes. To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity. ” - Nelson Mandela
Jan 24, 2025 11:00 AM Winter Salt Week: Promoting Sustainable Winter Maintenance and Protecting Freshwater Resources ('sustainability', 'governance') This initiative is dedicated to raising awareness about the environmental impacts of salt use during winter months and promoting strategies for reducing chloride pollution in our freshwater systems. The event includes a variety of educational opportunities for community members, local leaders and environmental advocates.
Jan 30, 2025 06:30 PM Sister City Trips to Japan & Germany Conducted by Ed-Ventures Travel ('education', 'diversity') On behalf of the Mayor's International Relations Committee, the purpose of the meeting is to provide information about our Japan and Germany trips and generate interest.
Jan 27, 2025 03:30 PM Jan 2025 City Council Study Session - Strategic Planning ('Housing', 'key', 'governance') The start of the year, the completion of recent City elections, and the onset of the budget season present an opportunity to review, refine, and affirm the City's Strategic Priorities. The current priorities have been in place since 2021 and were updated in early 2023. For over a year, the City team has been guided by these refined priorities identified by the City Council in 2023: 1. Affordable Living 2. Economic Vibrancy and Growth Management 3. Quality Services
Jan 25, 2025 12:00 PM 2025 Lunar New Year Celebration ('culture', 'Diversity') Celebrate the Year of the Snake at the 2025 Lunar New Year Festival! Asia Mall invites you to join us on Saturday and Sunday, January 25th and 26th, from 12PM-5PM. This event marks the third official Lunar New Year celebration since our opening. Join us for an unforgettable day of traditional performances, cultural showcases, and community spirit.
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October 2021 Activities

FORUM  WITH INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT DR. KENT PEKEL- October 21, 6:30 to 8:00:

In the City for Good will be presenting an online forum to give all in the community an opportuniy to hear from Rochester Public Schools Interim Superintendent Kent Pekel. Dr. Pekel will give an overview of his time so far in the district, along with more information on the strategic plan he will be proposing. Interested Rochester residents may submit questions ahead of time or during the meeting to be used in a Q&A time period after his primary presentation. The October 21 forum will be from 6:30 to 8.

 

Steering Committee- Tuesday, October 5, 4:00 p.m.

Topic: In the City for Good Steering Committee

Time: Oct 5, 2021 04:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

 Join Zoom Meeting

Contact [email protected] for Zoom info. 

 

Housing Team- Monday, October 11 7:00 p.m.

Our next In the City for Good Housing Team meeting will be on October 11 at 7 pm. We will be discussing the proposed Unified Development Code with Ryan Yetzer, Interim Deputy Director, Community Development for the City of Rochester leading the discussion along with others in the Community Development area. We will especially focus on what some of the proposed changes could mean related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and the role of ADUs in addressing the concerns around the affordability of workforce and senior housing. This will be an online meeting, with the link to be sent out later this week.

 

Age-Friendly- Oct 12th and 26th 2:30 to 4:00

Meeting Information:

Age-Friendly Olmsted County Planning Group

Tues. Oct 12 and 26

2:30pm - 4pm

 

Contact [email protected] for Zoom info

 

Social Services/Social Justice- Watch for info of upcoming November meeting

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Purpose of the site
A sub-site of Community Beam, the City4Good website is being prototyped by openBEAM.net  to help the "In the City For Good initiative" to better collaborate.
Community Status/News

This panel displays the latest community news. For a standalone view please click this LINK.



Housing Program DevCo Rochester

Adopting a Resolution adopting the Housing Program, the issuance of Conduit Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds and the execution of related documents relating to the DevCo Rochester Apartments Project.

Last Updated June 14, 2026



Economic Development News

2026: Health tech firms status

2023 Highlights: 1. 2Q 2023  Economic Report ;  2. Tawonda Burks has joined the RAEDI staff full-time as Director of Operations. In addition to managing the RAEDI Economic Development Center; 3, SBDC 1H 2023 performance report

Last Updated June 13, 2026



Healthy Brain Workshop Series

 2026 Summer Workshop Series 

 

Last Updated June 08, 2026



University of Minnesota Expansion Funding Considerations

Jun 2026: City Council Voted to Approve the funding

May 2026: UMR DMC: Funding Request to contribute to Talent Development Infrastructure

Apr 27, 2026: UMR discussion at City Council Study Session Sales Tax Request

Last Updated June 05, 2026



RPS Proposed Budget Reductions

Jun 2, 2026: School Board 2026 budget

April 21, 2026: School Board Meeting Revised Proposed Leadership Changes 

April 7, 2026: Budget Reduction Impact

Sep 12, 2023 RPS Board Study Session video recording; Proposed Equity Policy; PB Reporting

Last Updated June 04, 2026



1Q 2026 Announcements

Jun 2, 2026: #RochMNTogether Yard Sign Campaign

Jan 5, 2026: Resolution: Reaffirming Rochester’s Support for its Somali Community and Commitment to Inclusion.

2026 Summer Paid Internship Positions: City Clerk, community Development, Communications & Engagement, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Legislative Affairs, Library Communications, Office of the Mayor, Parks & Recreation , Public Music, Rochester Public Utilities Safety, and Transit & Parking.

 

 

Last Updated June 02, 2026



Sports Complex Phase Two Indoor Recreation Option and Next Steps

Jun 1, 2026 City Council Meeting: PB reporting

Apr 27,  2026 City Council Study Session

Last Updated May 31, 2026



Home Innovation Lab - Aging in Place

May 2026: Home Innovation Lab Open House

Dec 2025 DMCC Board Meeting: The Home Innovation Lab will combine research, technology, and design to create and evaluate “tech-enabled age-in-place” living environments that improve health, comfort, and independence for older adults.

Apr 2025 DMC Real Estate Summit: Aging in place talk

Last Updated May 31, 2026



Sherman Mixed Housing Mayo Civic Center Parking Lot

May 2026 DMCC Board Meeting: Status Update

June 3, 2024 City Council Meeting 

Council action is requested to continue development negotiations with Sherman Associates and conditionally approve development assistance of up to $13,000,000 in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) assistance and up to $3,000,000 in DMC General State Infrastructure Aid.  

Last Updated May 24, 2026



Mayflower mixed housing project

May 2026:DMCC Board Meeting, Mayflower Project Update

Jul 2025 Mayflower mixed housing project summary; North side of Second Street Southwest across the street from Ronald McDonald House.

Feb 2025 DMCC Board Meeting 2nd Street Public Realm and Mayflower

Last Updated May 24, 2026



United Way Studies of Financial Hardship

2025 ALICE Info: United Way 2025 Study

2024 ALICE Info: Post Bulletin Reporting; United Way 2024 ALICE  (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Report 

Last Updated May 24, 2026



West Transit Village Housing Development

May 2026 DMCC Board Update

April 1 2026 AEON Affordable Housing Townhall

May 2025 DMCC Board Meeting Report

Feb 2025 DMCC Board Meeting Memo

PB reporting re Jan 6 City Council Meeting

"A final plan for dividing a 14.1-acre Mayo Clinic parking lot into developable sections is expected to be reviewed Monday by the Rochester City Council. The site, being dubbed “West Transit Village,” sits between Second Street Southwest and Cascade Lake. It is currently used as a Mayo Clinic employee shuttle lot, and Mayo Clinic plans to construct a 2,500-stall parking structure."

Last Updated May 24, 2026



Loom Apartments (Onward)

May 2026 DMCC Board Meeting: Status Update

Dec 2025 DMCC Board Meeting: Request for Extension Authorize an extension of the $4 million GSIA allocation to this project until August 15, 2026.

May 2025 DMCC Board Meeting

Last Updated May 24, 2026



DMC Interim Wayfinding

May 2026 DMCC Board Meeting

Last Updated May 23, 2026



Discovery Square Biolbab In Rochester

May 2026 DMCC Board Meeting: Biolabs Status

December 2025 DMCC Board Meeting:

  • Request for Action Memo
  • Business Development Quarterly Review about Biolabs

Last Updated May 22, 2026



Discovery Walk

May 2026 DMCC Board Meeting Discovery Walk Update - Completion

March 2021 DMCC approval for Bid

Last Updated May 22, 2026



DMC STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

May 2026: Consider a recommendation to approve up to $3 million in DMC General State Infrastructure Aid (GSIA)

Last Updated May 22, 2026



Healthy Home Helpers

City of Rochester Launches “Healthy Home Helpers” Program to Support Healthier, More Efficient Homes

Last Updated May 22, 2026



RPS 2030 Strategic Plan Reviews

May 19. 2026 RPS Board Voting

Apr 12, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: High School 

Mar 17, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: Middle School

Mar 3, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: Elementary School & Early Childhood 

Last Updated May 20, 2026



Does Rochester need a new entertainment venue?

A feasibility study is underway for a performing arts center, but what does the city already have?

Last Updated May 18, 2026