Incumbent Albert Lea 6th Ward Councilor Al “Minnow” Brooks filed for re-election Wednesday on what was the second day of the filing period for elected office.

Brooks, who has been on the Albert Lea City Council for 16 years, said he likes the opportunity to make the city a place that people want to live in and raise a family.

He said he does not make decisions hastily and is always open to hearing both sides of an issue.

He noted during the last four years one major project he has been a part of is the downtown Broadway reconstruction.

Though he did not vote in favor of the project — and stands by his vote today — he said he thinks the project turned out beautiful and will be positive for the downtown.

“People are excited about it,” Brooks said. “I hope everything turns out great. I hope it brings brings more business, more traffic downtown.”

He said he did not support the project because of the cost.

“I wouldn’t change my vote, but also I realize there’s a large portion of the community that thinks it’s good, too.”

He thanked all of the organizations such as the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Albert Lea Downtown Association who are working to bring in more events downtown.

“I hope it continues and gets bigger and better,” he said.

Looking forward to his ward in the next four years, he said he would like to focus on the reconstruction of Virginia and Fifth streets‚ which he described as “landmines.”

A portion of Fifth Street caved in after it was driven over by a garbage truck earlier this year.

He said he is also an advocate of the Albert Lea Senior Center and thinks the city needs to continue to support it financially.

The filing period for city, county and state elected offices runs through June 3.

Thus far in the city, incumbents Mayor Vern Rasmussen, Larry Baker and Reid Olson have filed for re-election. No opponents have filed for city elective offices.