Month: November 2022

November Sustainability Series: Sketchbox – Simplified and Free Energy Modeling Tool

DMC’s November Sustainability Series: Sketchbox – Simplified and Free Energy Modeling Tool

 

What:           Destination Medical Center (DMC) Monthly Sustainability Series

When:          Wednesday, November 16, 2022, 12-1 p.m.

Where:         Viewable by webinar only. Join the presentation here.

Details:        Join us for an interactive presentation by Slipstream, a mission-driven nonprofit organization, that recently launched a free version of its simplified energy modeling tool—Sketchbox.

If you’re not familiar with energy modeling, it is a software-based tool that architects, engineers and building operators use to make accurate energy-saving decisions on new and existing buildings. A user creates the initial building using an energy code baseline and then re-simulates the building using various energy conservation measures. Sketchbox can also be used to identify energy savings for existing buildings and retrofits.

For more information and to access Sketchbox, please visit https://slipstreaminc.org/sketchbox.

OUR PRESENTER
Ben Heymer
Slipstream—Director of Engineering, Chicago
Ben leads a team of energy engineers focused on decarbonizing the built environment.  He is an experienced engineering consultant, designer, researcher, and energy modeler. He leads technical assistance and program design for energy efficiency programs and builds tools to help owners and designers focus on high-impact solutions.

About the DMC Sustainability Series

The DMC Sustainability Series is a monthly seminar sponsored by Destination Medical Center and the City of Rochester. The purpose is to introduce sustainability concepts and best practices for everyone to consider. The series is held virtually the third Wednesday of every month at noon.

 

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Destination Medical Center Corporation Board Applauds Process of Soldiers Field Memorial Park Improvements

At the November 10, 2022 meeting, the Destination Medical Center Corporation (DMCC) Board of Directors commended the process the City of Rochester and Rochester City Park Board have undertaken in working toward an equitable, sustainable, inclusive final design. The Rochester Parks Board adopted the Short-Term Soldiers Field Master Plan at their October 4, 2022 meeting.

There are several key features within the 2022 Soldiers Field Master Plan that align with the DMC Development Plan

  • Continues to define Soldiers Field Memorial Park as an anchor and signature public space of the Education and Recreation Sub-district.
  • Equitably designed spaces that are created with the specific needs of users.
  • Provides a welcoming and inclusive park for a growing and diverse community.
  • Incorporating sustainable design practices.

“We have a great opportunity with this project, the Riverfront, and key infrastructure, most notably Discovery Walk to differentiate us from our competitors,” said board member R.T. Rybak. “I strongly support putting funds into this project and making sure the City and Destination Medical Center are in alignment on how this incredible redesigned asset connects to Discovery Walk and the Riverfront.”

An update on the Main Street Economic Revitalization grant program was also provided to the board. To date, funding has been awarded to 36 different projects for a total award of $2.01 million with an average award of $56,000. 42% of the awardees are Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color (BIPOC), woman-owned/led, and or/veteran-owned businesses.

The board also received an update on DMC’s equitable economic development strategies. DMC EDA staff members Kevin Bright and Wafa Elkhalifa were joined by Chao Mwatela, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director Chao for the City of Rochester, and Dee Sabol, Executive Director of the Diversity Council to highlight this collaborative effort by the Rochester community toward ensuring that everyone in Rochester is included in the economic prosperity associated with the DMC initiative.

“This is what sets DMC apart from many other economic development initiatives; the buy-in from the DMC team and our partners,” said board member Brooke Carlson. “This is a collective community responsibility. It takes engagement and partnership across so many different sectors and representatives and leaders in our community as well as those living and breathing and experiencing the inequities in our community to come together. Thank you for setting the gold standard for how we do our work at the City and DMC through this co-design process and being the catalyst for how this work can be done across the state and across the country.”

The next DMCC Board meeting is set for Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 9:30 a.m.

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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.

Meet the Link Rapid Transit station artists at two public events, November 2 & 3

The City of Rochester and Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency are holding two in-person “Meet the Station Artists” events on Wednesday, November 2 and Thursday, November 3. The in-person events will provide basic information on Link Rapid Transit and will introduce the community to plans for integrating public art into the transit stations. The six artists will highlight their respective conceptual designs based on input collected during previously held community stakeholder sessions.

The events will be an opportunity for members of the community to ask questions of the project staff and artists, as well as share their concerns and aspirations for their neighborhood and for how the art will be represented in transit.

The two events are:

Meet the Station Artists – Open House #1
Wednesday, November 2, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
Riverside Central Elementary School, inside the cafeteria
506 5th Ave. SE, Rochester, MN
Poster boards with project details and artists’ conceptual designs will be available.
Light refreshments will be provided. Parking is available.

Meet the Station Artists – Open House #2
Thursday, November 3, 11 am-1 pm
Café Aquí
1811 2nd St SW Suite B, Rochester, MN 55902
Poster boards with project details and artists’ conceptual designs will be available.
Light refreshments will be provided. Parking is available.

For more information, view the event flier or visit the Link BRT webpage.

Link Rapid Transit is a generational investment in Rochester’s public transit infrastructure, which promises to deliver an entirely new level of service and rider experience to the Rochester Community. The 2.6-mile bus rapid transit (BRT) line will provide high-capacity transit along 2nd Street and 3rd Avenue SE, and is expected to begin service in 2026.