Month: February 2024

DMC Announces New Business Development Manager and Energy and Sustainability Manager

Press Releases

(Rochester, Minn.) February 27, 2024 – Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency (DMC EDA) announced the hiring of Kylle Jordan to the position of Business Development Manager. She previously held the position of Global Principal for Medical Alley Association.

Image of Kylle Jordan.
Kylle Jordan

In her role as business development manager, she will expand upon DMC’s business attraction and recruitment strategies to bring new businesses to Rochester. She will report to DMC EDA’s

Senior Director of Economic Development Michael Flynn.

“Kylle’s extensive experience working with life science and MedTech companies from around the world, as well as her tenure working within the Minnesota life science and MedTech ecosystems makes her the perfect fit for Destination Medical Center, and our aggressive program of work,” said Flynn.

At Medical Alley, she helped to attract over 30 internationally based life science companies to Minnesota, as well as building key stakeholder relationships to promote the Minnesota ecosystem for life science investment. Prior to that she worked for Greater MSP as their director of business investment.

Throughout her 15-year career in economic development, Kylle was focused on investment recruitment, industry marketing, and awareness building, all areas that fit closely in the DMC EDA business development program of work. She also has extensive experience working with MedTech companies evaluating Minnesota for investment opportunities.

Kylle started her new position on February 26. She has a bachelor’s degree in international relations and French from St. Cloud State University and a master’s degree in global finance, trade, economic integration from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver.

Image of Lauren Jensen
Lauren Jensen

DMC EDA also announced the hiring of Lauren Jensen to the position of Energy and Sustainability Manager. She previously held the position of Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Rochester.

As Energy and Sustainability Manager, she will lead DMC’s participation in the Downtown District Energy system development, community electrification campaign, electric vehicle strategy, and other related initiatives. Director of Public Infrastructure and Development Strategy Catherine Malmberg will be overseeing this position.

“We are thrilled to welcome Lauren Jensen as our new energy and sustainability manager. She brings a wealth of experience to our Rochester community alongside fresh ideas that will be invaluable as we continue to work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a more sustainable DMC district. We look forward to the positive impact Lauren will have as she helps chart a greener future for our community,” said Malmberg.

At the City of Rochester, Lauren worked to create a culture of sustainability through environmental, economic, and social equity components while collaborating to build capacity between stakeholders and community partners to develop communities that are truly sustainable for all.

Lauren started her new position on February 26. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources & Industrial Relations from the University of Minnesota and a Certificate in Social Media Management from Minnesota State Community & Technical College.

DMC Projects

General

Since the adoption of the DMC Development Plan on April 23, 2015, a number of projects have been approved by the DMCC and the City.

Discovery Walk

Discovery Walk is a four-block linear parkway along 2nd Avenue SW. It is planned to connect Annenberg Plaza to Soldiers Field Memorial Park and function as an extension of the Heart of the City public realm project. Discovery Walk is designed to feel like a park and to promote health, wellness, and innovation. It will also serve as a catalyst for future private development in Discovery Square. Construction advanced significantly in 2023, including the pedestrian ramp located in the 300 block, pedestrian lighting art, and the snow melt system. Completion is anticipated in spring 2024.

 

Heart of the City Phase One

The first phase of the project was renovating the east elements of Peace Plaza and surrounding areas. It was unveiled in 2023. The public realm project features universal design elements, sustainability, integrated art and improved infrastructure, and a catenary lighting system. This project has stimulated new and expanded commercial and retail businesses in the area and won the 2023 Award of Excellence in Urban Design from the American Society of Landscape Architects.

 

Riverfront Reimagined

Following the City-initiated Downtown Waterfront S.E. Small Area Plan study for a 60+ acre area located southeast of the downtown core on the Zumbro River, the City continues to lead the development of this future mixed-use neighborhood. In July 2022, the City adopted the Riverfront Small Area Plan as a preferred plan to guide the transformation of the redevelopment area as a “front door” to the river and gateway into downtown. In August of 2022, the City was awarded a federal RAISE grant in the amount of $19.9 million for the Sixth Street Bridge crossing the Zumbro River. In 2023, the project advanced with site preparation, flood wall work with the Army Corps of Engineers, further design, and interim site activation.

 

Bryk on Broadway

The Bryk on Broadway, located at 401 Broadway Ave N., opened in 2023 as a mixed-use, mixed-income apartment building with rents at varying levels. Of the 180 workforce housing apartments, 54 units are income-restricted to those at or below 50% of the area median income, 18 units to those at or below 60% of the area median income, and 108 units to those at or below 80% of the area median income.

 

Soldiers Field Memorial Park

Soldiers Field Memorial Park contains 150 acres of memorials and active recreation space, including 4,000 feet of riverfront. The northern portion lies within the DMC Development District and is featured in the Development Plan as an anchor of the Education and Recreation Subdistrict.

This project also maximizes connections to other key features of the DMC Development District: Discovery Walk will connect the Heart of the City to Soldiers Field and the Sixth Street Bridge will link Soldiers Field to the downtown waterfront area.

The public realm improvements within the district feature an aquatics center, with lap pool, bathhouse, wading pool, and outdoor seating, new basketball courts, a trail through the northeast corner of the park, a nature play area, community shelter, public restrooms, and new public parking. Importantly, this project combines federal, State, City, and DMC funding sources to reinvigorate this public asset. Project improvements are well underway and construction is expected to conclude in 2024.

 

Mobility

Progress continued on the approximately three-mile bus rapid transit project known as “LINK.” This project has applied for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Small Starts funding process. In 2022, the City and Mayo Clinic entered a twenty-year operating agreement in which Mayo Clinic will cover the annual local match for operating costs and all riders may use the system without paying fares. In 2023, design work was nearly completed, and state and federal environmental reviews concluded. With the significant progress in project planning and qualifying expenditures, the City certified, and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) approved, $9,081,280.13 in City and County transit contributions for 2022, qualifying for the State’s disbursement of $7,500,00 as the annual maximum of state transit aid.

A critical component of the Link experience is the future development of the West Transit Village at the western terminus at Second Street SW. The vision for the West Transit Village extends far beyond parking, with the potential uses of mixed-income housing, retail, and childcare.

DMCC Expresses Support for Downtown Property Support Program

Press Releases

(Rochester, Minn.) February 1, 2024 – At the quarterly Destination Medical Center Corporation (DMCC) Board of Directors meeting, the board directed DMC EDA staff to develop a program to support capital improvements to downtown properties. Board members discussed the importance of a vibrant historic Mainstreet experience. “The downtown is vital to the growth and success of Rochester,” board member R.T. Rybak said. “Beyond the cultural and historical significance, downtown contributes significantly to the tax base and to the overall health of this community.”

DMC EDA staff will collaborate with the City of Rochester and other stakeholders and return to the board with a recommended approach at the next regular meeting of the DMCC board.

The board also noted the importance of accelerating housing development, noting the current and future unmet needs.  Members discussed strategies such as tax increment financing (TIF) for market-rate housing that has been used in other communities.

“This is a broader community question,” said board member Paul Williams. “I would like to see goals set and be more visible in how we push toward those goals. I applaud the city for setting aside TIF funding for affordable housing.”

In other action, the board officially affirmed DMC as a partnering organization in the Minnesota MedTech 3.0 (MMT3.0) consortium. The purpose of this action was to meaningfully contribute to the MMT3.0 grant application project plan, the goal of which is to be awarded $40-$70 million in U.S. Economic Development Administration funding to grow Minnesota’s global market share in the medical technology industry.

“This is an unprecedented opportunity for Rochester and for Minnesota,” said board member Jim Campbell. “To be able to tap into federal dollars to advance our standing on the world stage is a winning proposition.”

MMT3.0 is a strategy to build a MedTech ecosystem that is even more connected, more strategic, and “smarter” through the incorporation of cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. The growth of this ecosystem will attract Smart MedTech businesses from the region and around the world to invest in Minnesota.

Additionally, the board unanimously approved the resolution to submit the DMCC-City Annual Report to the Minnesota Legislature. The statutorily required report includes the DMC development plan, progress on projects in the development plan, actual costs & financing sources for projects completed in the past two years, estimated costs & financing sources for the next two years, as well as debt service schedules for outstanding obligations of the city for debt service issued for projects identified in the plan.

The next regular DMCC Board meeting is set for May 23, 2024 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.