Month: May 2023

(Rochester, Minn.) May 25, 2023 – The Destination Medical Center Corporation Board of Directors recognized the extraordinary work of the Downtown Rochester Task Force at today’s regular meeting. The Task Force conducted several working sessions to identify four main themes to help inform a community-based action plan to address immediate and short-term recommendations to be taken by organizations and businesses that support downtown Rochester.

“While the DMC initiative is about the long-term vision for Rochester, it is important that we don’t lose sight of the immediate needs of our community,” said board member Brooke Carlson. “The City and City Council are committed to helping with the goals identified by the task force to help our downtown businesses.”

The Downtown Rochester Task Force includes members from the City of Rochester, Destination Medical Center, Experience Rochester, Mayo Clinic, Rochester Area Economic Development Agency, Inc., Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, and Rochester Downtown Alliance.

The board also received an update on funding options for the District Energy System Rochester (DESR). With new possibilities available from the Inflation Reduction Act, it may now be possible to build out the system to its initial design while remaining within the original budget set by the Rochester City Council.

“It is heartening to know there is so much federal money for this project. It is a positive for this community and closely supports what the city council has already decided,” said Vice Chair Kim Norton. “It will be good for everyone’s health and everyone’s pocketbook.”

An update on the Main Street Revitalization Grant program was provided by DMC EDA President Dr. Clark Otley. The program provided $3 million in no-cost grants for capital improvement projects that result in improvements to any permanent structure or other asset added to a property that adds to its value. The grant awards covered up to 30% of the project costs.

Highlights from the presentation included:

• Funding was provided to more than 50 projects
• 24% of awardees were Black, Indigenous, or People of Color
• 30% of awardees were women-led applicant teams
• 22 awardees are occupying previously vacant or under-utilized project sites

“We invited a diverse group of entrepreneurs and community members to be a part of the application evaluation process,” stated Dr. Clark Otley. “It gave us great insights into some of the challenges that entrepreneurs in our community face when they are trying to develop businesses.”

Board members also kicked off a discussion on DMC investment priorities in preparation for the 2024 DMC funding request. Strategic direction from the board as well as DMC goals, guiding principles and priorities will help shape the annual request before it is presented to the DMC EDA Board of Directors, DMCC Board, and Rochester City Council for approval.

The DMCC Board will consider the 2024 funding request at its next meeting on September 28, 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.

Register here!

When: Wednesday, May 31, 2023 | 10:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Where: Mayo Civic Center – 30 Civic Center Drive SE
What: The Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency Real Estate Development and Investment Summit is an opportunity for real estate and development professionals to learn about investment and development opportunities in Rochester, Minnesota. This event will feature a series of short, informative presentations on:

• Economics and demographics of Southeast Minnesota
• Mayo Clinic’s vision for the future and upcoming projects
• City of Rochester’s priorities and upcoming opportunities
• DMC and partner organizations discussing tools to support investment and development

After the presentations, participants will have the opportunity to network with other attendees over lunch, and then choose from a set of tours in the afternoon, including:

Heart of the City to Discovery Square

See the newly completed public realm where “Healthcare meets Hospitality” in the Heart of the City, and then walk along the under-construction Discovery Walk to Discovery Square, where you will tour the biomed-tech buildings that have been completed and hear about the entrepreneurial ecosystem under development.

Rochester Housing Market

Learn about the housing needs of the Rochester community and visit a recently completed mixed-income apartment building (Bryk on Broadway, 180 units at 50%, 60%, and 80% AMI rents), as well as other site developments underway in the downtown.

LINK Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Corridor Tour

Hop on a bus that will take us along the planned BRT route along 2nd Street and learn about the project timeline, schedule, and development opportunities along the route, including the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Village planned for the western terminus.

Riverfront

Take a walk along the Zumbro River as it passes through downtown and learn about the Rochester community vision captured in small area plans recently completed along the corridor. Get a preview of the City-owned properties that will be the subject of a forthcoming developer RFP.

This is a unique opportunity to learn about the exciting developments and investment opportunities in Rochester, Minnesota, and to connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for economic growth and development.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Register here!

(Rochester, Minn.) May 5, 2023 – Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency and the City of Rochester are thrilled to announce the graduation of the first cohort of Community Co-design Facilitators. At a ceremony at City Hall on May 4, seven Rochester residents were recognized for their time and effort toward the advancement of the co-design process.

“How are we, as a community, going to compete in the future? How can we be more resilient? We will be able to do those things because of co-design,” said Cindy Steinhauser, deputy city administrator. “Community co-design is not just a DMC initiative or a City of Rochester initiative. This is an initiative for government, non-profits, and the private sector as well.”

The seven co-design facilitator graduates are Fatuma Ahmed, Khadija Ali, Shay Baumbach, Lida Casper, Derrick Fritz, Julie Ruzek, and Claudia Tabini.

“I am very excited to be recognized as a co-design facilitator. I look forward to helping include diverse voices in future projects and initiatives,” said newly graduated facilitator Khadija Ali. “I have always been on the co-designer side, but now I will be able to recruit people and facilitate these sessions.”

A second cohort will be launched in the summer of 2023 and a third cohort will be held in late 2023 or early 2024.

The evening also saw the unveiling of a webpage dedicated to co-design in the Rochester area. On the page is information on upcoming leadership and facilitator trainings, as well as access to the Co-Design toolkit and case studies from several successful co-designs. The page can be found at www.rochestercodesign.com. You can learn more about Community Co-design by downloading the Community Co-design Toolkit.