Summer is here and so is the return of the season's biggest block party. Night to Unite is on Tuesday, August 6, and now's the time to sign up your neighborhood to participate. If your neighborhood will be gathering on public property, like a park or city street, let us know by July 17. If the event's on private property, like your backyard, you'll have a few extra days. Registering your neighborhood adds it to our list to arrange giveaways, event materials, and visits from Police, Fire, and other City representatives. Join us as we aim to rock every block in Red Wing, and register your neighborhood event today.

Three housing projects can keep moving forward after City Council gave their approval last night. Altogether, the projects would bring eight new and 17 renovated units to the market. The first project required approval to add three main-level units at 325 Plum St., better known as the Eagle House. The existing 17 apartments in that building are also getting a facelift. The second project requested approval for one main-level unit at 325 Bush St., the former Chief Theater, where two upper-level apartments are also planned. The final project to receive approval allows Habitat for Humanity to construct two side-by-side townhouses at 209 E. Fifth St., where the previous structures had been demolished due to their condition. Each project helps further the goal of more housing in our community, and we're excited to watch them develop.

In under a month, five students will be off on the trip of a lifetime to our sister city Ikata, Japan. Students Kris Nepoose, Silas Perau, Ha'ani Whitlock, Rowan Vietor, and Grayson Gerken will be accompanied by chaperone Ingrid Hokanson. They depart on July 18 and return on August 1. Students will spend their first few days in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Matsuyama before heading to Ikata. They've been busy fundraising by bagging groceries at Family Fare and have received generous donations from the Elks Lodge, American Legion, Aliveo Learning Center, Noontime and Dawnbreaker Kiwanis, and the Rotary. After the students return, they'll welcome six students from Japan from August 3-12. They'll all take part in the River City Days parade and enjoy lots of other fun activities nearby. What an amazing opportunity for all! Student recruitment for the 2025 trip starts in the fall.

The City of Red Wing Police Department and the Goodhue County Sheriff's Department are considering expanding in the next few years, so to plan, the City and County are gathering more details about potential space needs. At Monday night’s City Council meeting, members voted unanimously to approve a contract with BKV Group to do a space study for a potential new public safety facility on the southeast corner of Tyler Road South and Technology Drive. The plan will also include a study for the Public Works Department to be prepared for possible future expansions in that area, too. Meanwhile, Goodhue County is gathering more specifics on how much space they might need. For now, the City's Police Department still rents space from Goodhue County and has a lease until the end of 2026; negotiations are in the works to extend that lease one more year to provide more time for planning. Watch City Beat for details in the weeks ahead.

If you've noticed an increased emergency personnel presence today, you're not alone. The City, Goodhue County, and several other entities conducted a training exercise today to test the response to an emergency at the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant. There's no cause for alarm; this drill is conducted regularly to make sure we're ready to respond if we ever need to. The response is evaluated by FEMA, and it's something all agencies involved carefully prepare for. While the possibility of a real incident at any given time is low, you can rest easy knowing that if something ever does happen, there's a team ready and able to respond.

Does your summer family vacation take you out of town on August 13? Does the convenience of voting from your own home appeal to you? Then voting absentee could be the perfect solution for you for the August 13 primary election – and you could do it as soon as this Friday! You can vote absentee (in person at the Goodhue County Government Center or by mail) from June 28-August 12. While every ward in Red Wing will see statewide races on the ballot, only voters in Ward 3 and Ward 4 will see a City race listed. They'll narrow three candidates for the Wards 3 & 4 Council Member seat down to the two who will be on the November general election ballot. Prefer to vote on Election Day? We'll see you at the polls. However and wherever you vote, just make sure to get out and make your voice count.

Community Development Hours

Monday-Thursday: 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Friday: 7 a.m.-11 a.m.

If you're an early bird in search of a building permit, we've got good news for you. The Community Development building (419 Bush St., by City Hall) now opens at 7 a.m. every morning. They're still open until 4:30 p.m. four days a week, but with the earlier opening time each day, they close at 11 a.m. on Fridays. We'll be monitoring the shift in hours to see how it goes. Learn more about the services Community Development offers here, and stop on by.

Charter Commission Special Meeting

City Council Chambers

Wednesday, June 26, at 6 p.m.

City Council Meeting

City Council Chambers

Monday, July 8, at 6 p.m.

Port Authority Board Meeting

City Council Chambers

Tuesday, June 2, at 5:30 p.m.

Housing & Redevelopment Authority Board Meeting

City Council Chambers

Tuesday, July 9, at 3:30 p.m.