Monroe Living: Our City at Work

Monroe Bike Month

In Episode 10 of Monroe Living: Our City at Work, we're getting on our bikes! May is Bike Month, and the City of Monroe is marking the occasion with a full slate of community activities designed to get residents engaged with the future of biking in Monroe. City Planners Bryson Hester and Megan Brightharp sit down with Assistant City Manager Lisa Hollowell to talk about what Bike Month looks like this year, why public input matters right now, and how residents can get involved. From a self-guided audio tour of Historic Downtown Monroe to a community Bicycle Scavenger Hunt, there's something for everyone this month. And if you haven't taken the Bicycle Interest Survey yet, this episode will convince you. It takes about 3 minutes, covers your interest in biking, bicycle safety, and future programming in Monroe, and finishing it enters you for a chance to win a free bicycle. Learn more and take the survey at www.monroenc.org/BikeMonth [http://www.monroenc.org/BikeMonth]

On Stage at the Dowd Center Theatre

In Episode 9 of Monroe Living: Our City at Work, we go inside one of Monroe's most beloved landmarks. The Dowd Center Theatre has been a fixture of historic downtown Monroe since 1940, and today it's home to live concerts, films, art galleries, and performers from across the country. Assistant City Manager Lisa Hollowell sits down with Theatre Operations Supervisor Tim Pappas, who brings nearly 20 years of Disney World performing experience and a passion for community arts to this role. From the signature backstage wall where every performer who's ever hit that stage has left their name, to the restored 1940 carbon arc film projector now on display in the lobby, Tim pulls back the curtain on what makes this place special and what's coming next.

Restoring the Sauna at the Monroe Aquatics and Fitness Center

In Episode 8 of Monroe Living: Our City at Work, we spotlight the Monroe Aquatics and Fitness Center maintenance crew and the hands-on restoration of the center’s sauna. When the sauna began showing its age, the team did not outsource the work. Instead, they stepped up and completed a full overhaul themselves. Hear from Facility Maintenance Division Supervisor Gerald Millis, along with maintenance team members Chuck Powell and Danny Crump, as they share how teamwork, craftsmanship, and pride in service brought this space back to life.

Winchester Revitalization, Part 3 (Featuring Asst. Manager Jeff Wells and Director of Economic Development Teresa Campo)

In the third episode of our Winchester Revitalization series, Assistant City Manager Lisa Hollowell sits down with Assistant City Manager Jeff Wells and Director of Economic Development Teresa Campo to discuss what is coming next for the Winchester community. The conversation explores upcoming projects, the intent behind key investments, and how infrastructure, economic development, and long-term planning are working together to support Winchester’s future. Together, they discuss how each project connects back to the neighborhood’s history while laying the groundwork for sustainable growth and opportunity. Monroe Living: Our City at Work is the City of Monroe’s official podcast, highlighting the people, projects, and stories that keep our community moving forward. Episode Updated 12/22/2025

Winchester Revitalization – Part Two

In this second episode of our Winchester Revitalization series, Mayor Robert Burns reflects on the importance of preserving Winchester’s legacy, empowering local voices, and building a future that honors those who came before.