Month: October 2017

Mayo Civic Center: Attracting more and bigger

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DMC is dedicated to creating first-rate experiences not only for those who live and work in America’s City for Health but also for the 3+ million people who visit Rochester each year.

Since first opening its doors in 1938, the Mayo Civic Center has been attracting conferences, entertainment, and sporting events, balancing the needs of the community with those of visitors and clients. Now, on the heels of a recently completed $84 million convention center expansion and facility renovation, Mayo Civic Center is set to realize the economic benefit in 2018 after 21 months of exceeding booking projections in 2016 and 2017.

“New bookings are up over 30%, mainly because our spectacular new venues are helping us attract more and bigger conventions and meetings,” says Brad Jones, executive director of the Rochester Convention and Visitors Bureau, reinforcing the decision to invest public dollars into the space.

Share in the excitement of Discovery Square

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As part of the groundbreaking ceremony for a new, innovative life-science building in Discovery Square, Destination Medical Center (DMC) is hosting the Discovery Square Community Celebration and Innovation Showcase Thursday, November 2, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

This event will be held in the Discovery Square sub-district, on 5th Street SW between 1st and 2nd Avenues SW (just west of Pasquale’s restaurant).  It will bring together art, science, and community to celebrate the progress that’s already taken place in Discovery Square, and look forward to its promising future.  It’s also an opportunity to meet the innovators and entrepreneurs that are already creating great innovations in Rochester.

“Airglow” lights up the night

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Heart of the City will be aglow this November when Destination Medical Center partners with the Rochester Downtown Alliance and Northern Sun Productions to introduce a first-of-its-kind event to Rochester.

Airglow will bring interactive lighting installations, including a 40-foot inflatable igloo, to downtown’s Peace Plaza from November 4-11. The all-ages event will take place each evening from 5-10 p.m.

Local investments pay off as state funds for infrastructure arrive

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This past spring, DMC reached a major milestone when the private investment threshold required to release state dollars for public infrastructure improvements was not only met but surpassed.

The unique economic development model set forth by the legislature in 2013 required that $200 million in private investments be committed to the DMC initiative before state funds could be released, and multiple projects of varying dollar amounts contributed to the threshold being exceeded by nearly $97 million. The Department of Employment and Economic Development certified the investment dollars so the state money could be released and used for local infrastructure improvements. With that certification now complete, the first of the state DMC funds are now available.

Planning is key to citywide success

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Strategic urban planning is key to sustainable development in a growing community like Rochester. It helps city leaders to maximize public dollars, adapt to changing demographics, and address the demand for housing, transportation, and workforce. While DMC helps shape the future of downtown, city and county planners are looking ahead to prepare for citywide growth.

“Planning to Succeed” or P2S 2040 is the city’s comprehensive plan intended to provide community members, business leaders, city staff, and government officials with a roadmap as they prepare for current and future growth.

Both the City’s Comprehensive Plan and the DMC Development Plan, which was endorsed by the City of Rochester in March 2015, encouraged extensive community engagement throughout the planning processes. “Community-wide participation is incredibly important,” says Patrick Seeb, DMC economic development and placemaking director. “It leads to better ideas, community buy-in, and long-term success.”