Community Events/News

Start Date Title Tags Description
May 18, 2024 12:00 PM 2024 Rochester Pridefest ('education', 'diversity', 'LGBTQ+') Celebrate Rochester's LGBTQIA+ community at this family friendly event that features a variety of local vendors, food and entertainment!
May 16, 2024 08:15 AM Lotus Health Foundation hosts 6th annual “Community of Wellness” event, Lifestyle Medicine, Path to Health & Happiness. ('community health', 'education') Embark on a journey towards health and happiness.
May 16, 2024 05:30 PM Walk With a Doc with Chuck Carroll and health talk ('Health/Wellness',) Hosted by Rochester Clinic, Lotus Health Foundation and 125 Live
May 15, 2024 07:00 PM Co-Design Facilitator Spring 2024 Cohort Graduation ('co-design', 'Civic Equity', 'Health/Wellness', 'governance') Join the Rochester Co-Design Community to celebrate our third Facilitator Cohort Graduation! The graduates each completed 25 hours of training over 4 months, learning skills to support successful and meaningful co-design projects. This celebration will provide an opportunity to connect, network, and recruit our next co-design facilitator cohort. Cake and beverages will be provided. We hope that you can make it. Registration is encouraged but not required.
May 14, 2024 03:30 PM Luther College Rochester Spring 2024 Semester Seminar Project Presentations ('Education', 'diversity', 'openbeam', 'key') Student project proposal presentations
May 13, 2024 04:30 PM Family Resource Center ('social services',) Family Service Rochester has embarked on a journey to create a Family Resource Center. These parent-led centers are hubs of support, services, and opportunities that foster the healthy development and well-being of children, youth, and families.
May 13, 2024 10:00 AM Housing Alernatives for Seniors ('aging', 'housing') 10am-12pm, Tuesday, May 14 Join Jim to learn about the housing alternatives for seniors within our community. He will discuss condos, townhome, cooperative, independent living, assisted living and more. Presenter: Jim Miner Free social members | $10 fitness members | $20 nonmembers. Register by May 13, 2024.
May 09, 2024 04:00 PM Three Rivers Restorative Justice Work Shop ('human potential board', 'diversity') Interested in learning about the principles of restorative justice and what role it can serve in the community
May 10, 2024 04:30 PM The power foods revolution to health and weight control by Neal Barnard, MD ('Health/Wellness', 'community engagement', 'education') Hosted by Rochester Health Clinic and Lotus Health Foundation
May 09, 2024 05:00 PM Journie: Open Road Workshop 2 ('youth', 'Education', 'diversity', 'CMRC') The main objective is to enhance access to higher education opportunities for minorities and low-income families in Olmsted County.
May 09, 2024 08:30 AM Southeast Minnesota Community Mental Health and Wellness Conference ('mental health', 'education', 'Health')
May 09, 2024 09:00 AM Women of Wellness (WOW) Conference 2024 ('diversity', 'community engagement') Forge meaningful connections with like-minded individuals, as you share in the collective journey towards greater well-being and fulfillment
May 08, 2024 12:00 PM Working Toward Equality for Minnesotans of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage ('DMC', 'Diversity', 'Housing', 'Asian', 'key', 'CMRC') The Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans is an executive branch, non-cabinet agency tasked with the responsibility of working for the implementation of economic, social, legal, and political equality of Asian Pacific Minnesotans. The council serves Minnesota’s Asian Pacific Islander communities through advocacy, engagement, and cultivating strong partnerships.
May 08, 2024 10:00 AM May 2024 Coalition for Rochester Area Housing Alliance (1st Generation Down Payment Assistance Program ) ('RAF', 'housing', 'openbeam', 'key') Presentation & Discussion: 1st Generation Down Payment Assistance Program
May 07, 2024 10:00 AM MDH: Improving community and belonging through community design process ('community engagement', 'mental health', 'co-design') How can we improve community mental well-being and happiness through community co-design? Learn about three very different community development projects that improved the mental well-being of local communities through human centered design process.
May 04, 2024 09:00 AM Tenth Annual Earthfest Export ('sustainability', 'MPR') While the impacts of climate change are increasingly coming into focus in Minnesota, many of us are left wondering how we can help accelerate action and solutions to the challenges of climate change. From collective action to developing a climate solutions mindset, this talk will explore the multitude of opportunities we all have to help accelerate climate action in our communities, and beyond.
Apr 30, 2024 06:30 PM Recap of the Rochester Disagreeing Better Workshop ('civic engagement',) We will review and practice skills from the Disagreeing Better Workshop held April 24 in Rochester. This meeting is open to all, even if you don’t attend the April 24 event. You don’t need to be a Braver Angels member. The event is free, though donations are welcomed.
Apr 30, 2024 05:30 PM DMC: How Parking Explains the World ('DMC', 'transportation', 'transit', 'key', 'ISAIAH') Author Henry Grabar ignited a national discussion with his book Paved Paradise, a discussion that recently had him cited by the White House.
Apr 30, 2024 03:00 PM 2024 Rochester Area Volunteer Fair ('community engagement',) Discover how you can take action and share your talents through volunteering
Apr 29, 2024 03:30 PM Study Session: Rapid Transit & West Transit Village/DMC Update ('transit', 'transportation', 'key') Project Schedule, FTA Critical Path; City/Mayo Agreements; Communications Planning; DMC Updates (Business Development; Historic District)
Document Actions
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 InTheCityForGood@gmail.com 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 DBeal@familyservicerochester.org 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.



2024-25 Positive Behavior Data Review and Initiatives Update

July 15, 2025 RPS Board Updates

AI Summary of data

PB Editorial

Last Updated August 02, 2025



Graham Park Exhibition Center Construction

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 August 01, 2025



Rochester Sports and Recreation Complex

July 28, 2025 City Council Study Session 

Last Updated July 26, 2025



LINK - Bus Rapid Transit New Budget Increase

DMCC Special Board Meeting July 22, 2025 Approving Budget Increase

City Council July 20, 2025 New Budget Increase: A nearly $73.2 million contract for construction of key elements of Rochester’s Link Bus Rapid Transit project is spurring a call for added transit aid.

Last Updated July 24, 2025



2024 Housing Coalition Investments

July 2025 Reports

May 2025 Reporting on 2024 Investments:

$8,491,000 supporting 11 projects totaling over $77M

Last Updated July 18, 2025



RPS 5 Year Budget Reduction Strategy

RPS Board Presentation July 15, 2025 

AI generated summary of budget reduction strategy 

Last Updated July 16, 2025



Future Development of Graham Park

OLMSTED COUNTY Commissioners to review exhibition center construction contracts

PB Editorial - Need to include Seneca Site and County/City planning together

PB Reporting on background of the project including engaging local governments 

 

Last Updated July 15, 2025



Mayflower mixed housing project

Mayflower mixed housing project summary 

North side of Second Street Southwest across the street from Ronald McDonald House.

Last Updated July 12, 2025



Life Style Medicine Podcasts

Energy Medicine

Rochester Clinic featured on The Exam Room podcast by Chuck Carroll alongside Rochester's Mayor Kim Norton.

 

Last Updated July 05, 2025



DMC 2015-2025 Review and Next 10 Years

DMC’s next decade will focus on deepening its impact—through infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and community engagement—while continuing to support Rochester’s evolution into a vibrant, health-focused destination.

Last Updated July 01, 2025



Mayo Clinic Platform 2025 Conference

June 3–4 in Minneapolis, PlatforMed 2025 Proceedings

Featuring: leaders from Google, Thrive Global, Mount Sinai, Nvidia, and the Gates Foundation. 

Last Updated June 27, 2025



MN 2025 Joint Disparity Study — External Stakeholder Group Meeting

Copilot Analysis and Summary of City of Rochester Procurement Profile Summary

Copilot Analysis and Summary of Hennepin County Procurement Profile Summary

Comparison between Hennepin County and Rochester 

Last Updated June 26, 2025



Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN)

Spring 2025 Nonprofit News

Financial Planning; Federal Funding Importance; Nonprofit Services; etc

Last Updated June 25, 2025



City of Rochester 2026-2027 Budget Planning

June 23, 20225 Study Session: 2026 Capital Improvement Plan & Outside Agency Funding Budget Update

May 27, 2025 City Council Study Session ; Apr 28, 2025 City Council Study Session Materials

Press Release: The City of Rochester is beginning its 2026-2027 budget process and invites residents to learn more about the factors shaping the City’s financial outlook.

Last Updated June 23, 2025



2025-2026 RPS Budget and 2026-27 Cut Projection

The Rochester School Board has officially approved a $445 million budget for the 2025–26 school year, setting the stage for a year of stability and strategic investment in local education. 

RPS 2026-2027 Budget Cut Projection

 

Last Updated June 22, 2025



Rochester International Relations Committee

Activities

1H 2025 Meeting Materials

Sister City Trip Log 

Last Updated June 21, 2025



NAACP, Rochester Chapter

Juneteenth 2025 Celebration Report 

Rochester NAACP Statement on Racist Hate Incident Targeting Black Child in Public Park

Last Updated June 20, 2025



Multicultural Center Concept Enablement

One Page Summary of Concept - Fact Sheet

Detailed Project Description

Last Updated June 17, 2025



Financial Aid Support Sessions

2025 Summer Financial Aid Sessions  

Locations: RCTC, Rochester Public Library

Information for CBO hosting Financial Aid Sessions

Last Updated June 14, 2025



State Funding Supports Silver Lake Skate Park and Traffic Calming Grants

June 10, 2025 – ROCHESTER, MINN. – The City of Rochester is grateful for state funding and legislative actions this session that will help enhance public spaces and improve quality of life for residents.

Last Updated June 11, 2025