Austin Mayor Bonnie Rietz now has an opponent in the mayor's race.

Gary Hanson filed Friday to run for the position. Hanson has not held a political position before, but thinks his ideas will help revitalize downtown Austin.

"The reason I want to run is I want to see some changes in this city," Hanson said.

Hanson would like the city use the second floors of the downtown buildings for offices. He thinks they could be connected and said an elevator in one of the buildings could be redone to make the complex handicapped accessible.

"There's a lot of potential in the second floor on that stretch on both sides, actually," Hanson said.

The store fronts should also be restored, Hanson said.

Rietz also wants to improve the downtown and would like to see one building restored each year. She also wants to bring more industrial development to Austin and wants to maintain beautification projects, such as the flowers and trees downtown and improving walking trails.

Rietz is nearing the end of her third term as mayor. She was on city council for eight years before that.

Rietz said she is excited to meet Hanson and is pleased he is running against her because it makes for a better democratic process.

"It's a good way for people, if they have issues, to bring them out," Rietz said.

Hanson graduated from Austin High School and moved back to town 12 years ago. He works at McNielous in Dodge Center. His wife and two children are nervous for him, he said.

"They're nervous," Hanson said. "And it's actually even scary for me right now."

Hanson is starting to put together a campaign and finding people to help him with it. He said he has a lot of work ahead of him.

"I'm going into this political deal with no money, no backing and I've just got myself," Hanson said.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at :mailto:cari.quam@austindailyherald.com