Building a Thriving Community
Hi, I’m Shawn Nelson, and I’m running for re-election to the District 2 City Council seat. It has been an honor to serve Bloomington for the past seven and a half years, and I hope to earn your vote again.
I’m seeking re-election to continue Bloomington’s progress in parks, economic development, public safety, housing, and fiscal responsibility.
💰 Fiscal Responsibility
Smart Budgeting and Long-Term Planning
Keeping Bloomington affordable while meeting the city’s needs is one of my top priorities. I will continue working to manage costs responsibly as we reinvest in roads, utilities, parks, and facilities, and complete the transition of our fire department from a paid-on-call to a full time staff model.
We face real budget pressures. Adding full-time firefighters, maintaining aging roads and utility systems, and transforming our parks require significant investment. We must face these challenges honestly and remember that many residents—especially seniors on fixed incomes and young families—cannot easily absorb large tax increases.
To keep Bloomington affordable and financially strong, I’m focused on these key strategies:
Priority Based Budgeting - Dive deeper into departmental budgets to looks at how many residents and businesses are impacted by programs and services, if there are alternative providers, how critical the service is to our core purpose, and the cost.
New Revenue Sources – Expand grant funding, adjust program fees to better cover costs (with support for those who need it), and develop a comprehensive sponsorship and advertising program.
Value-Engineered Projects – Design projects to meet essential needs efficiently, focusing on “right-sized” solutions rather than “best-possible” costs.
Economic Development – Keep expanding our tax base through strong business and housing growth. Recent successes include SICK’s U.S. headquarters, SkyWater and Polar Semiconductor expansions,, and redevelopment projects like Gyropolis, which also cleaned up a former gas station site.
Public Input During Budgeting
Detailed review of the city’s working capital funds
“Fiscal responsibility isn’t just about balancing budgets—it’s about protecting taxpayers and preserving Bloomington’s strong future.”
🌳 Parks & Recreation
Great Parks Make Great Neighborhoods
Bloomington is blessed with an exceptional park system — nearly every resident can reach a park with just a short walk, bike ride, or drive. I have championed major park improvements, from new accessible playgrounds and pickleball courts to the bike skills course and upgrades at Dred Scott Park, Sunrise Park, and other locations. I’m a strong advocate for expanding amenities that serve residents of all ages and abilities across the community.
Priorities
Implement the Parks and Recreation Master Plan
Deliver the Bloomington Forward projects — including the Bloomington Ice Garden, Community Health and Wellness Center, and Moir/Nine Mile Creek restoration and improvements approved by voters
Engage neighbors in shaping local park improvements
“Bloomington’s parks are where community happens — from family picnics to youth sports to quiet walks.”
🚒 Public Safety
Keeping Bloomington Safe for Everyone
Public safety is the city’s most essential service. I’m proud that we’ve consistently maintained a fully staffed police department and are transitioning to a full-time fire department. We’ve added embedded social workers to support our police officers and assist community members in crisis, and launched a crime victim liaison program to help those affected by crime.
Priorities
Maintain full staffing and exceed state training standards for police
Increase the number of full-time firefighters
Enhance firefighter training for critical emergency medical response
Modernize fire stations and facilities
Strengthen partnerships between public safety and the community
“Every Bloomington resident deserves to feel safe and supported — no matter where they live or work.”
💼 Economic Growth
Supporting Local Businesses and Local Jobs
Bloomington’s strength comes from its diverse economy — from small businesses to global employers. I have worked to reduce regulations and streamline city processes to make it easier for businesses to grow and succeed. As a member of the City Council and Port Authority, I’ve helped expand services that assist businesses in launching, growing, and thriving in Bloomington — including business planning, financial, and legal support.
As a small business owner, I was honored to serve on the judging panel for our innovative Hatch Bloomington program, a business pitch contest similar to Shark Tank. It was inspiring to see the first-year winner, Scrambling Egg, open its doors — and I’m excited to welcome the second winner, Book Mother, opening next year. Importantly, all contestants receive access to our city’s business support services.
Economic development creates a more vibrant community — with local restaurants, stores, jobs, and a stronger tax base that benefits everyone.
Priorities
Support local entrepreneurship and business retention
Encourage redevelopment that enhances neighborhoods
Expand workforce opportunities
“When Bloomington businesses succeed, our whole community benefits.”
🏠 Housing Choices
Making Bloomington Home for Every Generation
I’ve prioritized housing initiatives that promote affordability, senior living options, and homeownership opportunities for working families. I’m committed to ensuring that housing growth complements existing neighborhoods while keeping Bloomington welcoming and inclusive for all residents.
Priorities
Expand affordable and senior housing
Encourage quality redevelopment and infill
Support first-time homebuyers and family housing options
“Our city should offer a place for everyone — from young families to lifelong residents.”
FATHER AND HUSBAND SMALL BUSINESS OWNER COMMUNITY BUILDER
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Let your neighbors know Nelson for Bloomington is your choice.
NELSON FOR SENIORS
Meeting the housing, transportation, and recreation needs and desires of seniors in our community is a priority for me. I will work to enhance our city so that seniors can eat, shop, and play in our neighborhoods - gather with family and friends, stay active indoors and outdoors, have safe housing that is affordable, and participate in art and recreation programs.
HOUSING – Support those seniors that want to stay in their home with modest safety improvements that reduce fall, trip, and other hazards. Help provide senior housing options. Consider property tax freeze and deferment programs to assist those on fixed incomes.
TRANSPORTATION – Ensure transportation services that allow seniors to get to medical appointments, go shopping, and connect with friends.
RECREATION – Maintain and improve the programs and services currently offered at Creekside without interruption. Consider how to expand options for seniors in our local parks - community gardens, stretching and exercise stops, and multigenerational programs that connect seniors and kids.
Bloomington is wonderful because of the people. Many residents I know and have met during the campaign have lived in Bloomington for 40, 50, or more years - and they want to stay here in Bloomington. Meeting their needs will be a priority for me on the City Council.
NELSON FOR FAMILIES
I will work to enhance our community to ensure that it continues to be a wonderful place to live and raise a family. We can have a community where we can eat, shop, and play in our neighborhoods.
EAT, SHOP, PLAY – Attract local restaurants and welcome innovative businesses to our neighborhoods. Protect and enhance our park spaces. Support our community youth sports organizations. We can have a thriving, dynamic community.
COMMUNITY – Enhance our park and recreation areas to provide compelling options for young children, teens, and adults. Consider splash pads, parkour, exercise and stretching stops, skateboarding, wifi enabled shelters, and after school activities in addition to fields, courts, rinks, and playgrounds. Include more kids in the planning process for our community. We can provide positive, safe places for our kids to hang out, have fun, and be active.
SCHOOLS – Strong schools are critical to a strong community. All City Councilmembers, and senior staff, should be a mentor to a high school student. Provide internship opportunities and get students engaged in public works, parks and recs, building inspections, police and fire, and other city services. Connect the business community, city, and schools to provide college and career paths for students.We can value and help students looking to go to college and those seeking career opportunities.
I will bring a fresh perspective to our community and focus on enhancing our neighborhoods.
NEIGHBORHOOD VITALITY
The city needs to have the same level of focus and passion for our existing, and aging, neighborhoods as it does for our world class hospitality and shopping districts.
FAMILY FRIENDLY
Bloomington should be at the top of everyone's list of places to live. We need to attract great local restaurants and shops into our neighborhoods, support our schools, and provide community amenities our residents desire and will use.
STRONG BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
We need to ensure that our regulatory efforts support and promote our businesses, not overburden them, while meeting our shared goals. I have over twenty years of education and experience in leading the business community, locally and nationally. I own two small businesses.
DIVERSITY
We must celebrate our diversity - religion, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender, orientation, identity, culture, ability, and opinions and ideas - and build a community that unites us based on our common humanity.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
The City Council is responsible for being wise stewards of the people’s money. The first priority is to effectively manage the basic services of the city, including roads, parks, water and sewer, safety services, and others. The second priority is to ensure that investments into capital improvements for infrastructure, facilities, recreation areas, and other community assets are financially responsibility in the long term and has strong community backing.
HOUSING
Housing policy has to be a priority for Bloomington. We need a mix of housing options for our community. We need to plan for our boomers transitioning to smaller houses, continue to attract families, and make it possible to provide workforce housing.
EDUCATION
The City needs to be a strong partner of our public and private schools at all levels. I believe we can help connect schools, businesses, and government to provide real world educational opportunities. I also believe that we need to encourage and celebrate different paths, including college, career, vocational training, trade school and on the job training, military service, and religious study. Worker training and retraining is also important in a dynamic economy.
GREEN SPACE
Green space should be available for the use and enjoyment of residents and visitors. This should include a mix of well maintained open space, picnic areas, trails, shelters, and sports and recreation facilities. We may also consider community gardens, exercise stops, pollinator habitat where appropriate, sledding, snowshoeing, and other creative uses. Green space should serve to bring neighbors together on a regular basis.
PUBLIC SAFETY
We need to ensure our police, fire fighters, and first responders continue to have the training, support, and resources to be safe while keeping our community safe.
SUSTAINABILITY
We enjoy high quality drinking water, great parks, clean air, and access to lakes and rivers. We need to protect these resources with cost effective sustainable management of our resources, view energy and water efficiency as competitive advantages, and reduce our long-term impact and costs.
TRANSPORTATION
Bloomington is fortunate to be bordered and crossed by three major highways. However, the levels of congestion on the highways and internal roads raises concerns about safety and quality of life.
Shawn Nelson
First elected to the Bloomington City Council in 2017
Board Member of the Bloomington MN Travel and Tourism
Board Member of VEAP
Business Education at Valparaiso University and MBA at St. Thomas
Small business owner - New Spaces and Blue Sky Skylights
Director and Board member of several local and national organizations
Daughters attended Olson Middle School and Jefferson High School
Helped write two green building programs - MN GreenStar and National Green Remodeling Guidelines
Leader in the housing industry. Worked with industry, agencies, legislature, and city to ensure safe, efficient housing that families can afford.
Volunteer at school events, Feed My Starving Children, Loaves and Fishes, youth programs at church, Bloomington Fastpitch Association, and Olson Middle School Volleyball.