Mayor’s Minutes: Brooklyn Park’s Hollies Winston
In a fall update, Brooklyn Park Mayor Hollies Winston shared with CCX Media’s Dave Kiser about his recent trip to Japan with Gov. Tim Walz, where the city is on possible changes to the Community Activity Center, and where the city hopes to focus when the Minnesota Legislature reconvenes in January.
Winston traveled with Gov. Walz and other mayors from across the state to Japan earlier this fall, as his city, like others in the state, is home to Japanese companies including Takeda and Olympus, among others.
Brooklyn Park Mayor Hollies Winston talks with CCX Media in October 2023.
“The reason for it was to meet with some of the chambers. We met with some in Tokyo and some in Osaka, and we’re able to learn what they’re looking for in terms of workforce and what they need as business so they can grow,” said Winston about the trip. “We have some takeaways in terms of what we can do to keep those businesses here and help them grow, as well.”
Back at home, one of the big issues facing Brooklyn Park are plans to change or improve the Community Athletic Center. Some residents have expressed concerns over changes to remove an ice sheet to replace with more basketball or pickleball courts. Winston said conversations at city hall between city staff and residents and other stakeholders continues.
“We want to explore all of our options because if we can grow the pie, that means people can get what they want without feeling like they’re losing,” said Winston.
As the legislature comes back into session in St. Paul, Winston said he and other city leaders will continue to push for millions in state bonding money to help pay for a new Central Fire Station, among other public safety needs.
“We’re finding increasingly, that our fire station is a regional hub, so we’re going to be looking for dollars to make sure we get more of that to Brooklyn Park,” he said.
