See all posts in the Mayor & Cities Corner series

(Mayor’s Corner is a regular feature where Carver County mayors share updates, insights, and messages with their communities. Carver City Mayor Courtney Johnson is providing this week’s edition.)

Happy New Year! It has been my tradition to share 10 items that were the most impactful or memorable in Carver from the previous year in my first column each year. Looking back on 2025, here’s my Top 10 list:

10. Merriam Junction Trail progress —
While this is not a city of Carver project (it’s one Scott County is leading, with a contribution from Carver County), it sure has been fun watching the Merriam Junction Trail bridge being built over the Minnesota River! The bridge and the 2.2 miles of paved trail through the Louisville Swamp are planned to open in 2027.

9. Fire Department leadership transition —
There was a significant transition within the Fire Department’s leadership last year when Cally Trimbo, who had been with Carver Fire for 22 years, retired in July after serving for six years as our chief. Tim Walsh, who was formerly the deputy fire chief and has been with Carver fire for 13 years, was appointed chief this fall. Chief Walsh has an extensive background in emergency management and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role.

8. Carver Stories oral history project —
Carver on the Minnesota, winner of the 2025 Greg Osterdyk Community Service Award, launched the Carver Stories Oral History Project last year. Funded in part by a Legacy Grant from the Minnesota Historical Society, this initiative aims to keep Carver’s history alive and available to all through recorded interviews with lifelong residents talking about some of the most significant events in Carver’s history.

7. Fire Department/Public Services building remodel —
We started and completed the Fire Station and Public Services building remodel project in 2025. This $1.5 million project included replacing the roof and HVAC units and adding a separate space for our firefighters’ turnout gear. By keeping the turnout gear out of the truck bays and away from the diesel exhaust, we’ve added an extra level of safety to help protect Carver’s firefighters.

6. Taco Bell —
Last month, the city approved plans from Marvin Development to build a Taco Bell restaurant in Carver. Construction of the “Kitchen X” design, which will be the first of its kind in the state, is anticipated to start in the spring. After a 120-day construction cycle, Taco Bell could open as soon as next summer. It will bring approximately 30 to 40 full- and part-time jobs to Carver.

5. Public Services space needs —
The city has been working on plans for relocation, development,and construction of a future Public Services facility. The process to date has included a public services space needs study, which provided space needs on a scaled basis, ranging from current needs to needs 50 years in the future. The city purchased property on the south side of town last month which could be the future site of the Public Services Department. Stay tuned for more information later this year, including opportunities to share your thoughts.

4. Affordable housing —
Last September, the Carver County Community Development Agency (CDA) cut the ribbon and celebrated the opening of Carver Place, a 60-unit building with one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Right now, Carver Place is 100% leased and there are 60 individuals and families calling Carver home. Coming later this spring from the CDA will be Carver Oaks, a 43-unit building for those who are 55+.

3. Creekside Park —
Carver’s newest park, Creekside Park, opened this fall at the corner of Jonathan Carver Parkway/CR 11 and Main Street West. It has four pickleball courts, parking, a picnic shelter and a dog park that will open in the spring. The city of Carver received more than $600,000 in grants for Creekside Park, including a $350,000 Outdoor Recreation grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and a nearly $260,000 grant from the state for restoration of Carver Creek at this site. 

2.  Continued progress on the Levee Improvement Project —
This fall, both the House and Senate Capital Investment Committees visited Carver to learn more about the Levee Improvement project, while I continue to work to bridge the approximate $3 million funding gap on what is anticipated to be a $13 million project. Right now, we’re in the midst of the easement acquisition process. After decades of working to address this aging but deeply impactful infrastructure, we will have shovels in the ground for phase one of this project later this year.

1. Winning the inaugural Night to Unite Food Drive Challenge —
On Aug. 5, we collected 750 pounds of food donated from Carver residents at their Night to Unite block parties. What put us over the top of this friendly competition, however, was a very generous cash donation from the Carver Lions, which allowed the city of Carver to surpass Chaska, Chanhassen and Victoria. The real winner, however, was Bountiful Basket Food Shelf and the families they serve!

Here’s to a terrific 2026. As always, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns about anything that’s going on in our community, or if you want to participate in one of my “dinner with constituents” events, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I look forward to hearing from you.

Mayor Courtney Johnson; CJohnson@CityOfCarver.com; Cell: 612.702.7703