April 26, 2019
Good news, Red Wing! The main gate of Memorial Park is open for the season. Some of the more sheltered trails may be a little soggy, but check out this map for paths to explore.
Image of open Memorial Park gate on a sunny day
Looking Toward Good Work Ahead
Your City Government's New 10-Year Strategic Plan

This Plan's For You! Founded on the Red Wing 2040 Community Plan's strategies, this new, ambitious 10-Year Strategic Plan for city government focuses on which 2040 initiatives local government will accomplish to make this city a better place for everyone. Read the final Strategic Plan here. Next step: Prioritizing which strategies to complete over the next one to three years. More to come soon.
Our Vision:
Red Wing thrives as a vibrant, creative river town that values its natural environment, welcomes all people, and unlocks opportunity for everyone.

Our Mission: We strive to create a sustainable, healthy, accessible, resilient, and equitable community where every person feels at home.
Mark Your Calendars
At this five-week training session you'll learn how to be a stellar board or commission member and find out about opportunities all over town, including at non-profits and your city government. Get involved and make positive change right here at home.
YOU are the leader we are waiting for. Sign up!

Thursdays in May
5:00-6:30 p.m. at the Library
Cost is $50 but
scholarships are available.
No one will be turned away !

Call 651-388-6309 with questions or
for details on scholarships.
Sponsored by the United Way, City of Red Wing & Red Wing Area Fund.
Five important topics require your ideas and insights.
Come listen, learn, and discuss affordable housing, youth mentoring, homelessness, financial literacy, and the opportunity gap--all in a creative, fast-paced environment.

Tuesday, May 7
5:30 to 7:30 p.m
River Bluff Education Center,
395 Guernsey Lane, Door #8
(Park in the High School parking lot)

Free meal and no registration required. Free transportation available upon request.
The community-based group Hands for Hope includes the City of Red Wing and dozens of other organizations & individuals. Sponsored by the Blandin Foundation.
What's Next for This Building?
You may know it fondly as the old hospital (from way back), your old nursery school (Rocking Horse), the old ELC Building, or the former Annadee's Thrift Store. Whatever you used to call it, today the building is named the Friedrich Building, and it still sports one of the best views of our vast river valley atop a secret staircase. The structure is also in dire need of some care. Renovating this beloved icon will not be for everyone, but its gorgeous location and quiet neighborhood just minutes from downtown make this a potential gem for a creative mind. The City of Red Wing currently owns the property and is putting out a Request for Proposals. Curious? Have a good idea or know someone who might? Read and share the RFP document and let's see what might happen. Deadline is June 14. ( Exhibits document here.)
What Would YOU Say If This Bluff Could Talk?
Do you have a personal story, photo, or memory about He Mni Can [Heh-Meh-NEE-Cha]-Barn Bluff? We want to hear many perspectives and remembrances - including yours! A new project called If This Bluff Could Talk is gathering multiple stories about the bluff and incorporating them into an artistic piece and exhibit as part of the improvements at the base of the bluff later this year.
To tell us your story, email us here or call 651-385-3618.
You Asked, We Answer
The Old West Main Renewal Project and Bike-Pedestrian Bridge
Exciting things are in store for Old West Main Street and the Upper Harbor area over the next five years. Click here for answers to questions about the project's proposed bike-pedestrian bridge.
Meet Our Youngest Commissioner
By any measure, Simon Gadient is an exceptional teen. While only an eighth grader at Red Wing High School, he's more civically involved than most adults. In addition to the clubs and sports he's involved in, he's also just become the Sustainability Commission's newest member. As student liaison for this commission, he'll be an important link in engaging more young people in sustainability efforts and encouraging other students to become involved in their communities. Welcome aboard, Simon!
Ramping Up for Getting Around
Who in your life isn't able to walk as well as they want? Maybe your mother or neighbor uses a wheelchair or walker. Maybe you use a scooter or push a stroller. We've heard from many of you how much you like the new accessible curb ramps along Main Street and elsewhere around town. The ramps are federally mandated through the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) whenever we pave over a stretch of road, build a new road, or do a street reconstruction project.

Click here to see a list of streets where curb ramp improvements are coming in 2019.
More than 100 new accessible curb ramps will be added this summer.

Resources:

More information to come on other ways the city is making our streets, sidewalks, parks, and trails more accessible over the next few years.
Spring Clean Up
Aerial image of a green lawn mower driving over long green grass
Hours and more information about Red Wing's Spring Cleanup is here.
Take your spring cleaning outside! Through June 1, you can drop off brush and shrub trimmings, grass, leaves, and compostable/organic yard waste for FREE at the Solid Waste Campus at 1873 Bench Street. If you've been thinking about trimming, pruning, or sprucing up the backyard for summer, now's the time to do it!
Heroes Next Door
The right place, the right time, and the right training saved Red Wing resident Jim Brown's life. Recently, firefighter Nic Swanson was off-duty and responded to a medical call for an unresponsive adult male. Hastings resident and nurse Carissa Rowan just happened to be driving by and saw Firefighter Swanson administering CPR, so she stopped to help. Monday night, City Council members recognized Rowan and Swanson, along with all the on-duty first responders, for their successful efforts in saving Brown's life.
Theater Like You've (probably) Never Seen
Puppet theater comes to Red Wing
A different kind of performance theater is happening in Red Wing: puppetry. Enter the whimsical world of award-winning puppetry artist Robin Frohardt through two pieces honoring Earth Week: The Pigeoning and the Dumpster Monster. Dumpster Monster, an interactive pop-up performance, has been appearing all around town this week with its last show on Friday. This weekend, you can also experience a full-length performance at the Sheldon with The Pigeoning, the strange tale of a man haunted by...pigeons?
Times and locations of the Dumpster Monster and tickets for The Pigeoning are available at the Sheldon Theatre's website.
All in a Day's Work
Image of Steve Thoms in safety and hi-vis gear
You may not know Steve Thoms, but you certainly know his work. As Chief Systems Operator for water, wastewater, and stormwater in our city, he's part of the team that makes sure our water systems work like they're supposed to. The best part of his job? Believe it or not--customer satisfaction. After
15 years with the City, he finds the most rewarding work is that which directly benefits Red Wing residents. Thank you, Steve, for all your hard work behind the scenes to keep our city running.
Did You Miss That Meeting?
Now you can watch any City meeting on demand, 24-hours a day, through our website. Want to see what’s playing on Channel 6 right now?   From this page, you can select to view either the archive of City meetings or the Channel 6 live stream on any device.
We'll Save You a Seat
You're invited to these meetings and events
City Council Budget Workshop
City Hall Council Chambers
Saturday, April 27 at 8 a.m.
Charter Commission Special Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers
Tuesday, April 30 at 5:30 p.m.
MN Greenstep Cities Workshop
City Hall Council Chambers
Wednesday, May 1 at 9 a.m.
Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers
Wednesday, May 1 at 5:30 p.m.
Annual Board of Appeal and Equalization Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers
Thursday, May 2 at 6:30 pm
First session of a community five-week board/commission training. Must be registered through the United Way.
Foot Room of the Public Library.
Thursday, May 2 at 5:00 p.m.
Harbor Commission
City Hall Council Chambers
Tuesday, May 7 at 7:30 a.m.
Port Authority Board Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers
Tuesday, May 7 at 4:30 p.m.
Hands for Hope Community Conversation
River Bluff Education Center,
395 Guernsey Lane, Door #8
(Park in the High School parking lot)
No registration required. Free meal.
Tuesday, May 7 at 5:30 p.m.
Public Library Board Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers
Monday, May 13 at 4:30 p.m.
City Council Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers
Monday, May 13 at 6 p.m.
Includes two public hearings on the 2019 alley reconstruction projects.
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