Month: October 2015

Presented by Lisa Clarke

Economic Development Agency (EDA) Updates

• Development
  • Joined City’s development team in reviewing private development projects in the DMC District and are impressed with range and diversity of projects in review.
  • Asked by Mayor Brede to facilitate the Chateau Theatre Task Force work over the next 15 months with a goal of developing a sustainable program and business plan that is acceptable to the City Council.
  • Working on “Developer’s Guide” that will serve as a reference for building and development in the DMC Development District.
  • Working with City of Rochester to refine DMC Capital Improvement Plan.
  • Continuing to progress on Discovery Square bio/med/tech development.
• Finance
  • Operating within budget for 2015 and utilizing the Working Capital Loan structure implement by the DMCC and the City.

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The DMC vision is to provide high-quality patient, companion, visitor, and community member experience to become the world’s premier destination medical community.

Based on DMC research, patients do not differentiate between the 70% of time they spend in the community and the 30% they spend inside Mayo Clinic.

At 67%, patients and companions make up the largest market segment of visitors to Rochester, but business visitors and community residents are also key market segments. Research showed commonalities for these market segments, indicating desires for an authentic community experience, diverse dining and shopping, and high-quality hotels.

DMC has connected with the Mayo Clinic Office of Patient Experience and the Rochester Convention and Visitors Bureau to explore new ways of integrating efforts to create a more seamless patient experience.

Ultimately, the DMC plan will enhance the patient experience by:

• Providing a sense of welcome at key touch points.
• Facilitating the patient, companion, and visitor journey.
• Creating places, programs and services for down time and for patients to feel normal.
• Engaging visitors and community residents in health and wellness.

Presented by Olmsted County Commissioner Stephanie Podulke, Olmsted County Housing Director Cheryl Jacobson

Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (OCHRA) held a housing summit in 2013 to present the Maxfield Housing Needs Assessment findings identifying present and future housing needs. The study indicated that in Olmsted County, 22% of homeowners and 45% of renters are paying more than 30% of their income for housing costs.

The 35,000-45,000 jobs that will be generated by DMC will include a diverse income range, thus a similar range of affordable housing options are integral to DMC’s success. A capital campaign, managed by the Rochester Area Foundation, is in draft form to ensure affordable housing is available to support this growth through public/private collaborations.

 

Presented by Mike Bull, Director for Policy and Communications for the Center for Energy and Environment

The Center for Energy and Environment spent many hours working with a variety of individuals to better understand the nuances of and learn more about the needs of the Rochester community.

At the Nov. 19, 2015 DMCC Board meeting, the energy and environment team will provide a more comprehensive update. Prior to that meeting, they will coordinate with and obtain input from the nine-member citizen board that Mayor Brede appointed to help guide their plan for progress.

They anticipate presenting a cost-effective, pragmatic plan for renewable and sustainable energy. Tracking and transparency about progress will be key to ensuring success.

The Board has requested direction from the group about how they can actively advance the plan, leveraging assets to bring together like-minded individuals and organizations for a shared vision.

 

 

Public comments at today’s DMCC Board meeting included:

• historic and heritage preservation considerations.
• recent media attention regarding pace of development.
• concerns regarding the method by which proposals and related information are being delivered to the DMCC Board.
• request to evaluate the use of planning consultants in the development process (presented as a comparison to the stadium proposal) to ensure the $585M in public dollars invested in DMC are used effectively and efficiently.
• need to protect taxpayers and be cognizant of potential conflicts of interest.
• desire for comprehensive renewable energy plan for Rochester and request that DMC supports the weeklong EarthFest event planned for April 2016.
• recommendation that city invests in elevated transit system.

The October 29, 2015 DMC Corporation Board meeting is underway.

Click here to access the agenda and board packet.

Click here to view the meeting on live stream.

Lt. Governor Tina Smith was in Rochester last week to announce $92.4 million in funding awards that will create and preserve 1,420 affordable housing units throughout Minnesota. During the event, Lt. Governor Smith highlighted the importance of affordable housing to economic growth, especially in Rochester with Destination Medical Center initiative expected create thousands of new jobs.

“We need high-quality, affordable housing to support Minnesota’s growing economy, and to ensure every family has a great place to live,” said Lt. Governor Tina Smith.

With the anticipated addition of 35,000 to 45,000 jobs in Olmsted County during the duration of the 20-year DMC initiative, a range of affordable housing options in Rochester, including for sale multifamily, for rent multifamily, high-rise, duplexes, and townhomes, will be important to DMC’s success.

“This need for affordable housing here in Olmsted County is only going to increase dramatically as our efforts around the Destination Medical Center continue,” Smith said. “[Affordable housing] has to be core to the overall strategy for this region.”

Affordable housing aligns with the DMC Development Plan, which recommends the mixing of market-rate and affordable housing for new residential development to accommodate the needs of Rochester’s growing workforce, low income, and senior communities.

Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is the world’s largest celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch startups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth, and expand human welfare.

GEW Rochester kicks off on Monday, November 2 and runs through Saturday, November 7. With daily events in the morning, over the lunch hour, and in the evening, there will be multiple opportunities for attendees to interact with startups and business leaders across Southern Minnesota, explore their own potential as self-starters and innovators, and attend activities that connect them with potential collaborators, mentors, and investors.

GEW Rochester will help to grow and nurture a collective entrepreneurial spirit and, as outlined in the DMC Development Plan, reinforce the importance of supporting new businesses to enhance and expand the local, regional, and state economies, ultimately improving the quality of life for those visiting and living in our community.

The Destination Medical Center Corporation Board of Directors holds its regularly scheduled October meeting at 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2015.

The meeting agenda and board packet will be posted here on the DMC Corporation website prior to the meeting as they become available.

Attend in person – Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive SE, Rochester, MN 55904

View online – Live stream, Twitter, and the DMC blog