Rochester, MN
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201 4th Street SE
Rochester, MN 55904
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Phone: 507-328-2900
Fax: 507-328-2901
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News List
New initiative launches to support and showcase Rochester’s efforts to reopen safely.
Rochester Ready is an initiative to ensure a safe and resilient recovery for Rochester, Minnesota. The launch program for Rochester Ready is a hospitality safety pledge for restaurants, retailers and lodging properties called “Rochester Ready Safe.”
06/22/2020 11:35 AM
City of Rochester Parks & Recreation Department Announces Tall Grass and Weed Ordinance Changes for 2020 Summer and Fall
Rochester Parks & Recreation Department announced that the Tall Grass and Weed Ordinance will now only include noxious weeds from June 2020-October 2020. Noxious weeds that are monitored include all species listed on the control and eradicate lists on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture website.
06/22/2020 9:46 AM
Public Service Announcement: Community Members Encouraged to be Aware of Potential Fraud and Identity Theft
According to the Rochester Police Department Property Crime Unit, there has been a known increase in cases where an individual’s identity is being used to apply for Minnesota unemployment benefits. There are more than 45 cases that have been reported.
06/18/2020 3:36 PM
New Improvements at Cascade Lake Park Now Open
New amenities at Cascade lake Park are now open and ready to be enjoyed by the public. The recently completed work moves the park another step closer to the planned vision that began over 25 years ago.
06/17/2020 4:06 PM
Rochester City Council Approves Revised Targeted Business and Workforce Participation Plan for Destination Medical Center Projects
The Rochester City Council approved a revised Targeted Business (TB) and Workforce (WF) Participation Plan for Destination Medical Center (DMC) projects on Monday, June 15, 2020. The DMC Corporation Board of Directors recently supported and advocated for this new plan. In addition, the City...
06/17/2020 8:49 AM
Restaurants and Community Leadership Collaborate to Adapt Outdoor Dining Permitting
Rochester restaurants and a group of community representatives quickly and collaboratively found creative solutions following the governor’s executive order that allowed them to reopen for outdoor dining June 1.
06/12/2020 2:37 PM
Mayor Norton Responds to Variety of Questions Received from Community following the Death of George Floyd
Mayor Kim Norton and the Rochester Police Department (RPD) have received a number of questions in the last two weeks about how the policies, procedures and training of City teammates, including RPD officers, are addressing the concerns of systemic racism in our community. The Mayor has issued...
06/11/2020 9:05 AM
Final Online Open Houses to Engage the Public in Rapid Transit Station Area Studies
The City of Rochester and Destination Medical Center are wrapping up an in-depth study of transit-oriented development that will support new rapid transit in Rochester. This project explores ways to improve the well-being and quality of life downtown. The team is excited to share with the public...
06/08/2020 12:07 PM
Rochester Police Department Join Community Leaders in Engaging with Peaceful Protesters
As communities across the nation continue to grieve and respond to the death of George Floyd, the City of Rochester is creating space to encourage healing and promote dialogue. Today, Rochester Police Department (RPD) teammates joined community leaders in handing out ribbons to protest...
06/07/2020 5:32 PM
Statement about a June 3, 2020 Occurrence
an incident that involved an altercation with a handgun. The Wabasha County Sheriff’s Office advised the incident occurred in Wabasha County and the vehicles involved in the altercation were driving southbound on Highway 63, heading towards Rochester.
06/04/2020 12:59 PM
FTA Awards $3.1 Million Grant to Rochester for Low- or No-Emission Buses
The FTA announced that the City of Rochester will receive $3,156,746 in funds to purchase new electric buses and related charging infrastructure through the Low- or No-Emission (Low-No) Grant program.
06/03/2020 8:35 PM
Micromobility in Rochester launches with scooters and electric bikes in early June
Rochester City Council voted on Monday, June 1, 2020 to approve the contract with Lime for the 2020-2021 scooter and e-bike season. Lime will relaunch in Rochester in early June with 200 scooters and 25 e-bikes to help residents get around safely during the on-going pandemic. After the first...
06/03/2020 8:23 AM
A letter to our community
While recognizing there is no one shared experience of the last week across our nation, state, or community, it is clear to see this is a very painful time for many in our city.
06/03/2020
Candidate filing is now closed
Filing for the three open City Council ward seats and the Council President has now closed, with all offices moving forward to appear on the August 11 Primary.
06/02/2020
Statement about a June 1, 2019 Occurrence
A video was shared through social media on May 30, 2020 from an occurrence at 1:00 a.m. on June 1, 2019, a year ago today. The Rochester Police Department (RPD) officers were assigned to work the downtown bar and entertainment area.
06/01/2020 3:10 PM
June 2 is the final day of local candidate filing
Candidates for Councilmember from wards 2, 4, or 6, or Council President can file for office until 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 2, with the City Clerk's Office.
06/01/2020
City of Rochester Announces No Curfew in Downtown Rochester
The City of Rochester thanks the community for their peaceful vigils, marches and protests over the past several days. The City of Rochester will not enact a curfew for Sunday, May 31, 2020. The Rochester Police Department will continue to have increased officers around the City to ensure the...
05/31/2020 4:14 PM
City of Rochester Enacts a Curfew in Downtown Rochester
The last few days have been difficult and filled with emotions. The City of Rochester continues to support the right of community members to gather and protest. Out of an abundance of caution, Mayor Kim Norton has signed a declaration which will enact a curfew for downtown Rochester.
05/30/2020 3:38 PM
City of Rochester Begins Reopening of City Facilities
On June 1, 2020, the City of Rochester will begin to slowly reopen various City facilities, while maintaining services over the phone and via web-based options.
05/29/2020 12:03 PM
Statement from Chief Jim Franklin
The last few days have been difficult and replete with deep emotions ranging from shock, anger, grief and reflection. We recognize that events such as this tear at the fabric of the community.
05/28/2020 5:27 PM