City Beat: Hitting the Ice Rinks, Watching Airplanes, and a Portrait of Red Wing!

January 25, 2022

Lace up those skates, the ice rinks are open! Head to the Carol Ann Pirius recreational rink at South Park or to the hockey and recreational rinks at the Athletic Field. Warming houses are open, dependent on worker availability, and free skates are available to use. Stay up-to-date with the latest ice rink info from Community Education and Recreation.

Eagle Scout Project Takes Off

Colin Johnson, Boy Scout Troop 32

Do you like searching the skies for birds, planes, or Superman? Well, watching for the second item on that list just got easier. Colin Johnson, an Eagle Scout with Troop 32 in Red Wing, recently completed a new viewing area at the Red Wing Regional Airport for his capstone project. With some extra help from volunteers and City staff, he refinished picnic tables and created a dedicated area in a prime plane-watching location. Join him as he walks us through his project in the following video.

Climate Emergency Declared

Red Wing is joining other Minnesota communities to bring awareness to the impacts of climate change and ways we can work to address it. The City Council passed a resolution declaring a climate emergency at yesterday's meeting. The resolution affirms our commitment to implementing the 2020-2025 Climate Action Work Plan and our dedication to the GreenStep Cities program. The declaration also calls on our state and federal governments for their support. Learn more about Red Wing's dedication to changing our environment for the better in our Climate Action Work Plan here.

Portrait of Red Wing

Economic growth doesn’t happen by accident. Building blocks need to be in place to create the right environment for businesses to start, and we’ve been diligently working with partners to create them. That hard work was recently highlighted by the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI). CORI visited Red Wing for an article in its "Portraits of a Community" series. Check out the article here, and learn about some of the many remarkable enterprises that chose to call Red Wing home.

More Places to Live at Pottery Place

Ever wanted to live where you shop? Now could be your chance! City Council approved a permit change to allow vacant retail space on the third floor of Pottery Place to be converted into seven new apartments. The plans include adding five two-bedroom and two one-bedroom apartments. This would bring the total number of apartments in the building to 41. There's no specified timeline on when the new apartments will be complete, but with the historic charm of the building, they're sure to rent fast when they are.

Chart a Path With the Charter Commission

The Charter Commission has one job, and it’s important – to review the

City’s charter and update it as necessary. The time commitment is minimal for such an important function, usually only one meeting per year. Have you got that much time to spare? If so, check out the following video to learn more about what they do. They’ve got some open seats to fill. Come serve alongside your friends and neighbors and apply today.

Housing a Hot Topic

On Monday night, Council heard multiple voices on housing issues and how to address them in Red Wing. The Advisory Team on Government Policies and Practices presented their housing recommendations to the Council. The Council also approved the Plan to Increase Housing Stability and Decrease Homelessness. And Three Rivers Community Action presented on how to create more affordable and supportive housing in a community. All the documents will help guide Council members as they discuss housing priorities at their upcoming workshop January 29. Do you have an idea or comment on housing in Red Wing? Email the Mayor and City Council: citycouncilmayor@ci.red-wing.mn.us.

All in a Day's Work

If you stop into City Hall, Cathy Phillips will likely be the first person you see. As Clerk/Receptionist, she's ready to help anyone who visits or gives us a call. She also manages agenda packets for City Council and each of our boards and commissions. On top of all that, Cathy provides essential administrative support for other City Hall staff. The variety of work keeps her busy, but she always rises to the challenge. Outside of City Hall, Cathy enjoys spending time with her family, her friends, and her two dogs. She also likes the movies, the beach, and shopping, especially at flea markets, craft events, and antique stores. Make sure to say hi to her the next time you stop by City Hall!