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Community Events/News

Start Date Title Tags Description
Apr 23, 2024 01:00 PM April 2024 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.
Apr 22, 2024 05:00 PM Community Townhall Uplifting Student Voices ('community health', 'diversity', 'community') Convened by NAACP, Rochester, MN
Apr 22, 2024 04:30 PM CMRC April 22, 2024 Meeting ('diversity', 'openbeam', 'key', 'Diversity', 'CMRC') Topics: City of Rochester DEI Action Plan Updates ; CMRC Collaboration Status
Apr 20, 2024 11:00 AM NAACP Not In Our Town ('Diversity', 'community') We, the Rochester Branch of the NAACP, stand united in condemning the recent hateful incident involving the use of a racial slur against black and brown people in the immediate vicinity of Rochester Century High School. This reprehensible act not only undermines the values of our community but also sends a disturbing message to our youth who should feel safe and respected.
Apr 19, 2024 05:00 PM RPS School Board Listening Session ('Education', 'community') Hosted by Pamoja Women
Apr 19, 2024 11:30 AM Panel Session for Still We Rise: Rochester’s Black Legacy ('community',) This special event is open to all community members, while centering black voices and lived experiences. Lunch will be provided by Jersey Jo’s. Registration is required for food planning purposes. Please use the link below to register.
Apr 17, 2024 07:00 PM Barbershop Talk: Racism in Rochester ('diversity', 'community') Moderators: Bud Whitehorn, Andre Crockett, Tawonda Burks; In response to the racial slur written in cups on a bridge crossing East Circle drive near Century High school this weekend, a group of our local community leaders are coming together to have a conversation about racism in Rochester at a Community Town Hall. This event will be Wednesday from 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Century High School.
Apr 17, 2024 04:00 PM Community Involvement Session: Candidate Training ('Education', 'Diversity') Join United Way of Olmsted County and BIPOC community leaders for a training for individuals interested in running for office
Apr 16, 2024 05:00 PM Journie: Open Road Workshop ('youth', 'Education', 'diversity', 'CMRC') The main objective is to enhance access to higher education opportunities for minorities and low-income families in Olmsted County.
Apr 13, 2024 10:00 AM Our Kids and Our Future: A Vision for Rochester Public Schools ('youth', 'Education', 'tech', 'community')
Apr 11, 2024 06:30 PM Stories Embracing Inclusion with Compassion ('community engagement',) Meeting Hunger with Compassion
Apr 10, 2024 12:00 PM Empowering Women in the Workplace ('DMC', 'Diversity', 'CMRC', 'key') Heather will provide a brief overview of the significant legislative milestones enacted by the Minnesota Legislature since women's Suffrage. Additionally, she will delve into Minnesota-specific data concerning women, shedding light on pertinent details regarding recent legislation and its implications for women in the workforce.
Apr 10, 2024 10:00 AM April 10, 2024 Coalition for Rochester Area Housing Alliance: "Rural Trends 2024: Housing Supply and Demand" ('RAF', 'housing', 'openbeam', 'key') "Rural Trends 2024: Housing Supply and Demand" (Ben Winchester from the U of M Extension office) "Economic Vitality Funding Update" (Taryn Edens, City of Rochester)
Apr 09, 2024 10:00 AM RPS April 2024 Family Engagement Meeting ('RPS', 'diversity', 'rps', 'community', 'key', 'education') Youth Voice & Student Leadership, with a presentation facilitated by Sarah-Louise Henry, RPS Coordinator of Youth Empowerment, Department of Equity and Engagement.
Apr 04, 2024 06:00 PM 2025 Minnesota Joint Disparity Study Public Forum 2 ('diversity', 'Entrepreneurship')
Apr 02, 2024 12:30 PM 2025 Minnesota Joint Disparity Public Forum 1 ('Diversity', 'Entrepreneurship')
Mar 28, 2024 12:00 PM MPR Rochester RDAC Spring 2024 Meeting; Chandra Kavati, Senior Vice President, Chief Partnerships & Revenue Officer. ('diversity', 'MPR', 'Diversity') Topics include: Quarterly updates Possible Topics;
Mar 26, 2024 05:30 PM Year of Respect: Respect & Calm: Reduce the Rancor ('Civic Equity', 'community engagement') Guest: Bill Doherty, National Co-Founder of Braver Angels [email protected]; Additional Guest: Dr. Steve Lansing Co-Founder: Veterans Empowered “The significance of valuing others” “Amazingly simple steps of action”
Mar 26, 2024 04:30 PM 6th Stree Bridge and Riverfront Improvements Project Open House ('transit',) Project Manager Ian Cochran shares, “The City of Rochester is excited to kick off this next public engagement phase that builds upon previous community conversations about connecting the neighborhoods on either side of the Zumbro River with a bridge at 6th Street S. The community-informed design will be about more than just the bridge; the project will benefit the community in various ways including improved connections to the riverfront and a safer 6th Street for all users.”
Mar 25, 2024 04:30 PM CMRC March 25, 2024 Meeting ('diversity', 'openbeam', 'key', 'Diversity', 'CMRC') Topics: University of Minnesota Rochester Campus & Climate Action Plan; Three Rivers Community Action, BIPOC Homeownership Mentor Outreach, CMRC Updates: ACHLA and Pamoja Women actions regarding Post Secondary assists
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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.



Curriculum Development

Jun 2026: Social Studies Curriculum Three Shifts in the New Standards

Ethnic Studies Strand, Disciplinary Literacy Practices. Centering Student Inquiry

Last Updated June 18, 2026



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