City Detail

Background Information

City of Alexandria
County: Douglas
Population: 14943
GreenStep City category: A
Full-time equivalent city staff (approx.): 22
Participating township, county, school:

GreenStep Coordinator

Bobbie Osterberg
Elected Official
bosterberg@alexandriamn.city
320.759.3632
City web page relating to sustainability/GreenStep activities:
https://alexandriamn.city
GreenStep City resolution: Click here to view the file.
GreenStep City status and date: STEP 1 ( )

City Assessment Files and City Performance Metrics

City councils pass a resolution to join the GreenStep program and are recognized at Step 1. Step 2 and Step 3 recognition levels reflect completed city actions, reported and rated below with stars (1 star = good, 2 stars = better, 3 stars = best). The Assessment File below summarizes completed city actions in a short Word file. Step 4 recognition is awarded to cities who report a minimum number of core metrics for the previous calendar year. These metrics aim to show the aggregate, quantitative results of taking multiple GreenStep actions. Step 5 cities show improvement in the Step 4 metrics. See yearly data for Steps 4&5. Additional city data can be found by reviewing information on B3 Benchmarking and Regional Indicators Initiative.

Best Practice Actions Underway and Completed

Completed actions are denoted by stars.

Total completed actions: 6

Buildings and Lighting Buildings and Lighting

Efficient Existing Private Buildings {BP no.2}

Pending - Action 1:

Create or participate in a marketing/outreach/incentive program to promote/achieve residential energy/water use reduction and energy efficiency.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
Alexandria Lake Area Sanitary District (the City's sanitary sewer provider) has an incentive program for purchasing efficient water softening systems that reduce water and salt usage. Rebate Pilot Program began in 2022 and continues to present.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
I do not have information on metrics.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
https://alasdistrict.org/rebates/
Alexandria Lake Area Sanitary District
For more information contact:
Tim Schoonhoven (Community Volunteer) | tim.schoonhoven1730@gmail.com | 3208152718
Pending - Action 5:

Conserve/protect drinking/groundwater resources by creating a water-wise landscaping ordinance/guidance, WaterSense purchasing program, or guidance on rainwater harvesting and home water softener use.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2010
Implementation details:
The City of Alexandria has a Stormwater Management Program which includes a public education and outreach program with topics including: Car Care for Cleaner Water, Residents Guide to Stormwater, Construction Infiltration Systems, Lawn Care Tips that Work, Don't rake into the lake, Concrete Washout Guidance.
The program is managed by the city's Stormwater Management Committee which meets monthly.
I am unsure of the year that the committee was formed.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
https://alexandriamn.city/live-visit-alexandria-mn/stormwater-management-program/
For more information contact:
Tim Schoonhoven (Community Volunteer) | tim.schoonhoven1730@gmail.com | 3208152718

Land Use Land Use

Mixed Uses {BP no.8}

Pending - Action 2:

Locate or lease a property for use as a school, city building or other government facility that has at least two of these attributes:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 1994
Implementation details:
The Alexandria City Hall, located at 704 Broadway is on the south end of the downtown shopping district. It is one block away from the housing facility that is managed by the Alexandria housing authority. There are also several downtown apartments. It is an ADA accessible building. There are widened sidewalks along Broadway that were constructed in 2014. It has pedestrian activated traffic signals at the intersection of 7th Avenue and Broadway. It is served by the area transit service, Rainbow Rider.
The City Hall was constructed at this location in about 1994.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Tim Schoonhoven (Community Volunteer) | tim.schoonhoven1730@gmail.com | 3208152718
Pending - Action 5:

Have a downtown zoning district that emphasizes small and destination business, entrepreneurial spaces, and allows or requires residential and residential-compatible commercial development.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2000
Implementation details:
Alexandria has a downtown zoning district that emphasizes the historic nature of this area which includes small shops, restaurants, entrepreneurial spaces, and other local businesses. This zoning district has zero-yard setbacks. There are a large number of small apartments above many of the stores.
City Code: Chapter 10-10.12.1 CBD, Central Business District includes the following language:
A. Providing for downtown business development
supporting a strong central business district while enhancing the
overall character of the community in conformance with downtown
redevelopment plans, goals and objectives;
B. Regulating temporary outdoor events, seasonal
and sidewalk sales activities; and,
C. Providing for those temporary outdoor events,
seasonal and sidewalk sales activities which are distinguished
from permanent outside business activities that are allowed only
by conditional use permit or interim use permit approved by the
city council.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Tim Schoonhoven (Community Volunteer) | tim.schoonhoven1730@gmail.com | 3208152718

Transportation Transportation

Living & Complete Streets {BP no.11}

Pending - Action 3:

Modify a street in compliance with the city's complete streets policy.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2014
Implementation details:
Broadway was reconstructed in 2014 to make the corridor safer for traffic and for pedestrians. Broadway is the heart of Alexandria's downtown shopping district. The project included narrower traffic lanes, bump outs, wider sidewalks, updated pedestrian activated signals, street trees and street furniture include benches.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
The crash rate on this portion of Broadway Street was essentially cut in half from about 26 crashes per year to about 13 crashed per year.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
Minnesota Department of Transportation
For more information contact:
Tim Schoonhoven (Community Volunteer) | tim.schoonhoven1730@gmail.com | 3208152718
Pending - Action 3:

Modify a street in compliance with the city's complete streets policy.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2014
Implementation details:
Broadway was reconstructed in 2014 to make the corridor safer for traffic and for pedestrians. The project included narrowing the traffic lanes to 11-feet, adding bump outs at all intersections, updated pedestrian activated traffic signals, street trees and furniture including benches.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Crashes on this section of Broadway were reduced from about 26 crashes per year to about 13 crashes per year.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZkEZ3kJfFM
Minnesota Department of Transportation
For more information contact:
Tim Schoonhoven (Community Volunteer) | tim.schoonhoven1730@gmail.com | 3208152718