Elk River City Government

Elk River City Government This is the official page of the City of Elk River, MN. The site also allows users to speak
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Yesterday, the City Council met downtown with our consultant and staff to discuss Phase 2 of the Downtown Improvement Pr...
09/01/2026

Yesterday, the City Council met downtown with our consultant and staff to discuss Phase 2 of the Downtown Improvement Project. Their conversations focused on accessibility, sidewalks, landscaping, electrical, maintenance, and potential turnaround points for traffic. Phase 2 of the project is expected to begin in spring of 2027. Learn more at https://bit.ly/4uRqZQk

08/31/2026

Development Minute | Elk River Lutheran Church
Elk River Lutheran Church has removed their drive thru in the front and is replacing it with a communal space. Learn more in our latest edition of the Development Minute.

Help Plan the Future of our Parks 🛝 It’s time to update our Parks and Recreation Framework Plan, and we need your input!...
08/28/2026

Help Plan the Future of our Parks 🛝
It’s time to update our Parks and Recreation Framework Plan, and we need your input! Our trails, playgrounds, ball fields, and programs will benefit from your feedback. Please take a few minutes to complete our short survey and use the mapping tool to help us build a vision for the next decade: https://bit.ly/4hTycvX

Citizen's Academy is always a great opportunity!
08/27/2026

Citizen's Academy is always a great opportunity!

Citizen's Academy Registration is Now Open!
Ever wanted to take a behind-the-scenes look of your local police department? Your chance is here with our annual Citizen's Academy. The academy is three hours on Wednesdays for five weeks. Learn more and apply today at https://bit.ly/49NubBR

08/26/2026

Development Minute | Elk Dental Center
Elk Dental Center is moving to the former Nature's Dry Cleaners building. Learn more about why in our latest development minute.

City of Elk River Economic Development

Congratulations to our August Volunteer of the Month!Vern Draxler served as commander, vice commander, and adjutant for ...
08/25/2026

Congratulations to our August Volunteer of the Month!
Vern Draxler served as commander, vice commander, and adjutant for the Elk River American Legion, he has also been a part of their honor guard since 1984. Vern is the past chairman of the Range Association. He participants in the Honeywell retirees volunteer program building access ramps and is a member of the Elk River Quarterback Club. He was a past president of the St. Andrew's Catholic School board and spent 37 years in the St. Andrew's Catholic Church choir. Thank you, Vern, for everything you do!

Congratulations to the 2026 Garden Gem Award winners!City of Elk River Economic Development recently announced this year...
08/20/2026

Congratulations to the 2026 Garden Gem Award winners!
City of Elk River Economic Development recently announced this year's winners. These residents and business owners take pride in their beautiful gardens and landscapes. The Garden Gem Awards recognize their efforts and appreciate their commitment to making Elk River a beautiful place to live and work.

2026 Winners:
Rural - Jill Varty, Varty's Greenhouse
Townhome - Martha Quesenberry
Single Family Home (before 2000) - Cassandra Miller
Single Family Home (after 2000) - Paul and Sandy Peterson
Commercial - Cretex Companies
Neighborhood - Freeport Business Center

View more about the winners at https://bit.ly/2026GardenGemWinners

Happy retirement to our Human Resources Manager, Lauren Wipper!Lauren will be retiring this September after 30 years of ...
08/20/2026

Happy retirement to our Human Resources Manager, Lauren Wipper!
Lauren will be retiring this September after 30 years of service with the city. Her dedication to employee recruiting and retaining, policy development, and benefits management has shaped us all. Lauren will truly be missed, but we hope she enjoys this new chapter!

Photographed: City Administrator Calvin Portner with Human Resources Manager Lauren Wipper and Councilmember Mike Beyer

Swipe right because we're interested ❤️ Are you looking for a long-term relationship with your city? We're looking for a...
08/17/2026

Swipe right because we're interested ❤️

Are you looking for a long-term relationship with your city? We're looking for a Parks and Recreation Commissioner who is interested in:
- Parks
- Quality of Life
- Recreational Activities
- and Serving their Community

Think we could be a match? Learn more and apply at https://elkrivermn.gov/295/Parks-and-Recreation-Commission

Elk River Northbound Liquor Breaks Ground for New Store City leaders, LSE Architects, and Terra Construction celebrated ...
08/17/2026

Elk River Northbound Liquor Breaks Ground for New Store

City leaders, LSE Architects, and Terra Construction celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Northbound Liquor store on Wednesday, August 5. The new store will be built across the street from its current location, replacing a facility that has served the community since 1997.

Located next to Coborn's at 19417 Evans St. NW, the new 16,500-square-foot store is designed to enhance the customer experience while improving operational efficiency. Features include expanded product displays, improved storage space, energy-efficient cooling and lighting systems, and a more efficient layout for customers and staff. Unlike the current building, which relies on a passenger elevator to transport product pallets from basement storage, the new facility will offer a modern design that better supports daily operations.

Most importantly, the new store will highlight the unique value of Elk River's municipal liquor operation, reminding shoppers that every purchase directly benefits the community.

"The liquor operation is very vital to the city's finances. It contributes a lot of money to the General Fund and for park improvements. A lot of people don't realize what a benefit it is to have that," said Mayor John Dietz during the groundbreaking ceremony.

Councilmember Jennifer Wagner added, "This new building has more to do with the success and the longevity of the future of Elk River."

Municipal liquor stores help promote the responsible sale of alcohol while generating revenue that supports city services. Over the last five years, $5,700,000 has been transferred from Elk River's liquor operations to the city's General Fund and Park Improvement Fund, ultimately reducing the burden on property taxpayers.

"We're looking forward to serving the community with a much more modern and customer-friendly experience," said Retail Operations Manager Joe Audette.

Construction is expected to be completed in summer 2027. The city has received considerable interest in the commercial development of the current Northbound Liquor store site.

Address

13065 Orono Pkwy NW
Elk River, MN
55330

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