Mark Fischenich

1 week ago | mankatofreepress.com | Mark Fischenich

MANKATO — The Mankato City Council approved a scaled-back tax subsidy Monday night for a years-long effort to replace a nearly windowless 68-year-old concrete block building along Madison Avenue with a modern office building. Swapping out the squat bunker-like structure at the corner of Madison and North Broad Street with a two-story office building is expected to boost the property's taxable market value from the current $143,600 to just over $1 million.

1 week ago | mankatofreepress.com | Mark Fischenich

Q: I was driving on Riverfront Drive from Sibley Park. A vehicle was in the turn lane at the stoplight before the turn onto Highway 169 North. I was cautious because I thought the driver might be going straight ahead and not turning left at the light. When I signaled my turn the driver honked at me. So I waited for him to pass. Is the turn lane at the stoplight marked “left turn only?”A: This is one of Mankato’s goofier stretches of roadway.

2 weeks ago | mankatofreepress.com | Mark Fischenich

EAGLE LAKE — A $300,000 study of Highway 14 at Eagle Lake has identified four concepts to make the roadway work better and more safely, with final recommendations coming as soon as this summer. "There's no perfect solutions. They all have benefits and trade-offs. That's why we're here," project manager Angie Bersaw told a crowd of about 100 residents at the Eagle Lake American Legion Tuesday.

2 weeks ago | mankatofreepress.com | Mark Fischenich

MANKATO — The first phase of a comprehensive effort to fight homelessness in Mankato could be open by the end of 2026 just west of downtown. Minneapolis-based affordable housing developer Trellis Co. has finalized funding, reached out to neighboring property owners, submitted a traffic study to the city and requested a land-use amendment — all in preparation to begin construction by December on a 40-unit supportive housing complex.

2 weeks ago | mankatofreepress.com | Mark Fischenich

MANKATO — First there was shock. “You’re sitting watching TV and you hear the governor was shutting down the state for 30 days,” said Steve Wegman, owner of Weggy’s On Campus and The 507 bar and grill. “What’s next, aliens landing?”Later there was resolve, even in those moments when pessimism was on the ascent.