Scott Hoss News Today

OF NOTE The University of Minnesota announced that Melisa López Franzen will serve as executive director of Government and Community Relations. López Franzen is a former Minnesota state senator and Senate minority leader, an adjunct professor at the U of M’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and co-founder of NewPublica, a multicultural communications consulting firm. […]

Area leaders paint a cautiously optimistic picture of the Rochester economy for the upcoming year.

Specific actions to address alleged noncompliance with city agreement remain uncertain, and it's not too late for the sides to negotiate.

Castle Community has faced lawsuit, city warnings over tenant and vacancy issues.

The Rochester City Council agreed to sell the historic Armory building to the Castle Community in September 2017, under the stipulation that the building would be used for art and cultural activities. Under the purchase agreement, the Castle Community was in violation of its contract while renting space to Echo Church.

Community dances or theater performances might be early productions at historic downtown site.

Threshold Arts proposal remains as staff recommendation to activate historic former theater.

The building owners have until March 31 to return it to arts and cultural use.

It’s time for The Echo Church and the ownership group of The Castle to develop an exit plan.

Tax credit helps the future by saving the past Minnesota’s Historic Tax Credit, which provides a 20 percent tax rebate for approved rehabilitation of old buildings, is in danger of ending this year. Advocates, who point out success stories like The Castle and the Conley-Maass-Downs buildings in Rochester, say it is an economic tool that should be saved. 10:00 am, Feb. 6, 2021 × Dana Knaak, left, and Carl Augustin, right, both of Rochester, grab seats early before a prog...