Month: February 2019

Five Proposals Received for Chateau Theatre Operations and Management

Press Releases

Feb 16, 2019 – ROCHESTER, MINN – The City of Rochester is pleased to announce that five proposals were received in response to the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the initial operations and management of the historic Chateau Theatre.  The submissions included: Entourage Events Group, Exhibits Development Group, Arcades are Awesome!, Threshold Arts LLC, and Arts Trust Minnesota.

Deputy City Administrator, Aaron Parrish shares, “We are pleased with the number of proposals received.  It is always encouraging to see a mix of local applicants with those outside of the area.  We look forward to moving this process forward in a thoughtful and timely manner.”

Of the five proposals, three were from local entities and two were from entities who reside in the Twin Cities area.  Staff from the City of Rochester and Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency (DMC EDA) are currently reviewing the submissions and will be bringing forward a review process in the coming weeks.  Community engagement will be a part of a to-be-defined selection process.

“The interest in the Chateau Theatre has been and continues to be strong.  This is reflected in the five proposals received,” says Patrick Seeb, Director Economic Development and Placemaking with Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency.  All five proposals are diverse in their approach to use and activate the space.”

The Destination Medical Center Corporation Board of Directors and the Rochester City Council approved $1.1 million in funding for the renovation.  The escalator and second floor are expected to be removed in the coming weeks.  All initial work being done to the building is anticipated to be complete in mid-June 2019.

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New Energy Benchmarking Program Available to Rochester Businesses

Press Releases

Feb 13, 2019 – ROCHESTER, MINN – The City of Rochester and the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency are excited to launch the Rochester Energy Benchmarking Program for businesses and building owners to track their energy use and identify ways to save money on utility bills.

The kick-off meeting will be held at the Rochester Public Library (101 2nd St SE, Rochester, MN 55904) in Meeting Room C on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Attendees will learn about the benefits of the program, hear from organizations that are currently realizing the benefits of benchmarking, and how to participate in this voluntary program.

Kevin Bright, Energy and Sustainability Director, states, “The creation of the benchmarking program is an important first step to help our local businesses identify ways to reduce their operating costs by saving energy.”

Building owners and facility managers are encouraged to attend. Representatives from participating organizations will be in attendance. There will be networking and light refreshments following the program.

Mayor Kim Norton shares, “Working collaboratively with the private sector through this benchmarking program are the types of creative solutions that are needed.  This work will help ensure Rochester meet its ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals outlined in the City’s adopted Energy Action Plan.”

On April 24, 2019, the Benchmarking program will host a training session for interested organizations at Rochester City Hall in Room 104 from 8:00 am. – 12:00 p.m. This session will help organizations create and efficiently complete a benchmarking profile which is the core of participation in the program.

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A digital version of this release can be found here.

Press Release: Destination Medical Center Corporation Board Green Lights Mobility Hub Locations in Rochester

Press Releases

(Rochester, MN) Feb. 5, 2019 – The Destination Medical Center Corporation (DMCC) Board of Directors today approved a resolution supporting two preliminary mobility hub locations in Rochester, MN, and authorizing up to $400,000 in financial support for additional studies and engineering.

The two recommended mobility hub locations – approximately four miles apart – will be connected by bus rapid transit (BRT). This high-capacity circulator will transport commuters, community members, and visitors into and around downtown Rochester in a safe, reliable, and efficient manner.

“We have chosen sites for transit hubs, but our vision is they are mobility villages where people can live, possibly work and park for the day,” said DMCC Board Chair R.T. Rybak. “We don’t just want to build ramps. We want to build communities.”

In addition to the significant progress with the DMC transportation plan, nine private development projects, totaling more than $300 million, have planned openings in the DMC district in 2019. They include: Hilton hotel, First Avenue parking ramp, One Discovery Square, Urban on First apartments, Residence at Discovery Square apartments, Hotel Indigo (Holiday Inn renovation), Wells Fargo renovation, Chateau Theatre short-term use renovation and the Ronald McDonald House expansion.

“2019 is a remarkable year for Rochester, noted DMC Economic Development Agency Executive Director Lisa Clarke. “We are well on our way to achieving the DMC vision and creating a livable, sustainable and vibrant city.”

In his new role as Mayo Clinic President and CEO, Dr. Gianrico Farrugia (jan-REE-koh fa-ROO-jah), a 30-year veteran with Mayo Clinic, met with DMCC Board members and provided a few remarks.

“Mayo Clinic’s commitment to Rochester, the state of Minnesota and DMC is very strong,” said Farrugia. “Mayo has experienced significant growth over the last five years, and we expect even more economic growth and development going forward.”

Farrugia noted that Mayo Clinic will invest over $1 billion in Rochester facilities and equipment between now and 2021.

Following the board meeting, DMCC hosted a collaborative session with the Destination Medical Center EDA Board, Rochester City Council and Olmsted County Board of Commissioners.

About DMC

 

Destination Medical Center (DMC) is the largest public-private economic initiative in Minnesota’s history. The 20-year plan to transform Rochester into a global destination for health and wellness will attract developers, investors, startups, and entrepreneurs to live, work and play in America’s City for Health. For more information, visit dmc.mn.

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