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Community Events/News

Start Date Title Tags Description
Dec 09, 2025 03:30 PM Rochester Public Library Master Plan Review Session 2 ('rpl',) During this session you will hear a brief presentation on the Library Master Plan from Karen Lemke, Library Director. Our facilitator and library staff will then lead attendees through activities to gather feedback.
Dec 08, 2025 03:30 PM Rochester Public Library Master Plan Review Session 1 ('rpl',) During this session you will hear a brief presentation on the Library Master Plan from Karen Lemke, Library Director. Our facilitator and library staff will then lead attendees through activities to gather feedback.
Dec 07, 2025 03:00 PM WE ARE HOME Solidarity Potluck ('Culture', 'ISAIAH', 'Diversity', 'key') Sunday: WE ARE HOME Solidarity Potluck On Sunday, come together from 3-4pm at 125 LIVE for WE ARE HOME, an event of solidarity, storytelling, and shared food. Hear from Rochester Somali community speakers, celebrate Somali culture and contributions, and join us in affirming that Minnesota is all of our home. Bring a dish and your voice as we gather in unity and pride.
Dec 07, 2025 03:00 PM NAACP: Hate Has No Place Here ('diversity', 'NAACP', 'immigrant') The Rochester Branch of the NAACP Stands With Our Somali Community
Dec 07, 2025 12:30 PM Rochester Interfaith and Community Immigrant Services Conference 2.0 () “Building a coalition of Service and Support within our Community, Next Steps” -Hosted by the CUMC Church and Society Action Committee-
Dec 06, 2025 02:00 PM Rochester Cultural Center Grand Opening ('culture', 'diversity', 'CMRC', 'culture center') It is with great pleasure that we extend an invitation to you to join us in marking a significant milestone in our journey. We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of the Rochester Cultural Center, and we would be honored if you could be present to celebrate this momentous occasion with us.
Dec 06, 2025 02:00 PM Keenan Jones' Children's Book Reading and Activity ('commerce', 'community engagement', 'workforce') His debut picture book, Saturday Morning at the Shop
Dec 06, 2025 12:30 PM Zumbro Valley Medical Society Holds an Eye Care Clinic ('Health', 'Financial Stress') The clinic will provide comprehensive eye exams and prescription eyeglasses at no cost.
Dec 04, 2025 05:30 PM Forum and Discussion on ‘Democracy Innovations for Better Public Meetings’ (Date changed to Dec 4) ('key', 'governance') The event will provide residents the opportunity to learn more about the Democracy Innovations for Better Public Meetings project and provide feedback. This project is designed to make public meetings more engaging while strengthening connections between community members and local government.
Nov 21, 2025 07:00 PM RPS Sound School Presents Tuvergen Band ('arts', 'education', 'rps') During the week of November 17, Tuvergen Band will visit public schools in Rochester to lead workshops and performances for students. These visits are part of the Sound School program, which brings professional musicians into classrooms for hands-on learning, cultural exchange, and musical exploration. The residency ends with the public concert at the Chateau Theatre, where the community can enjoy the same exciting music and cultural experience.
Nov 20, 2025 06:00 PM Hot Stuff: Electrifying Water Heating, Cooking, and Clothes Drying ('sustainability',) Learn about upgrading your home appliances to energy efficient options at this City of Rochester-sponsored workshop.
Nov 20, 2025 05:00 PM Cumulative impacts engagement open house ('sustainability', 'Civic Equity', 'Health/Wellness', 'community health') Conversation about the cumulative impacts process public engagement and timeline
Nov 19, 2025 05:00 PM World Cafe - Uplifting Parent Voices for Multilingual Learners ('rps', 'Education') This evening is dedicated to sharing crucial insights and community-driven solutions learned from multilingual and Native families across Minnesota on navigating our education system.
Nov 18, 2025 09:30 AM Nov 2025 Mayor's International Relations Committee Meeting ('Diversity', 'global', 'governance', 'culture', 'key', 'education') Coordinate the Sister Cities Program; support international affairs in the city; provide a welcoming and supportive climate for international residents
Nov 15, 2025 05:00 PM NAACP 2025 Freedom Fund Banquet ('diversity', 'NAACP') The 2025 Freedom Fund Banquet will feature two trailblazing leaders as keynote speakers: Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Mayor Hollies Winston of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, the first Black mayors in their respective cities. Their historic achievements serve as powerful examples of progress and inspiration for our Rochester community.
Nov 15, 2025 12:30 PM ZMVS Presents Heartreach Clinic ('America City for Health', 'community health') Free Heart Disease Screening Blood Pressure Screening, Cholesterol Testing, Blood Sugar Screening, Heart Exam, ECG and Ultrasound
Nov 15, 2025 12:00 PM November 2025 Rochester – Headscarf Story Circle ('education', 'diversity') The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) is excited to host Headscarf Story Circle – a series of offerings that recognize the strength and resiliency of women. Join us for our first of three offerings in Rochester as we gather together through the shared connection of the headscarf and its complexity.
Nov 13, 2025 08:00 AM Introduction to Restorative Practices - Circle Training ('compassion', 'RPS', 'Education', 'community') Three Rivers Restorative Justice About the Training: A 16 Hour interactive training for aspiring circle keepers.
Nov 12, 2025 12:00 PM Meeting the Moment: Community Led Systems Change ('city', 'rps', 'dmc', 'diversity', 'key', 'community engagement', 'Education') This session centers on translating community priorities into actionable systems change by activating state decision makers, partners, and advocates.
Nov 12, 2025 10:00 AM Rochester Housing Alliance November 2025 ('RAF', 'housing', 'governance', 'openbeam', 'key') Feature Presentation — Navigating Housing Development Challenges: Restoration Glen Speakers from Bear Creek Development & Three Rivers Community Action ✅ Spotlight — Inventory of Affordable & Accessible Rental Housing Presented by The Arc Minnesota Southeast Region
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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.



Phase Two Indoor Recreation Option and Next Steps

Jun 1, 2026 City Council Meeting

Apr 27, 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



University of Minnesota Expansion Funding Considerations

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 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



Age-Friendly Olmsted County (AFOC) Update

May 2026 AFOC 2023-2025 Action Plan  Report Report

Apr 2025 Aging in Place Action Update

Last Updated May 12, 2026



Ambassadors for Equity and Belonging Program

Rochester Area Foundation is piloting a new type of cohort centered around the concept of “belonging” as a strategic framework,

Last Updated April 29, 2026



Any Path Home push against homelessness

Apr 23, 2026 In the City for Good Forum; Mar 11, 2026 Rochester Area Housing Alliance Discussion

Feb 5, 2025 Post Bulletin Reporting Abstract; Mar 10, 2024 City Council Study Session Update

 

Last Updated April 27, 2026



RCTC Sports Facilities

Apr 27, 2026 City Council Study Session Community Engagement Rochester Regional Sports Center, Stadium & Sports Fields

Last Updated April 26, 2026



Graham Park Exhibition Center Groundbreaking

Apr 24, 2026: Oak View Group to run exhibition center.

Aug 2025: Groundbreaking Construction began Wednesday on a $48.7 million project at Graham Park, Rochester. The centerpiece is an 80,000-square-foot exhibition center with a performance arena seating 1,500 people.

Last Updated April 24, 2026