Meet the DMC Team

Man with dark, curly hair, brown eyes and a mustache. He is wearing a white-collared shirt under a burgundy-colored sweater.
DMC intern Hernan Manzanet
Meet Hernan Manzanet, DMC intern. Hernan joins the team from Luther College by way of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, majoring in Data Science. His plan after graduation is to find a job as a business analyst, ride motorcycle, and spend time with friends and family.
1. Why did you choose Luther College? I chose Luther College because it was the best option for me in which I would have a good soccer experience and academic career.
2. Why did you choose an internship at DMC? I liked the plan of the DMC to put Rochester on the map and all the positive things they are doing for the city of Rochester. I always wanted my job to have a positive impact on society, so when I thought about working with data and being part of a project that will have a positive impact on a community, the internship at the DMC was the perfect fit for me.
3. What are your duties at DMC? Collect and organize data to answer questions and develop projects that will help advance the DMC plan. Also, use GIS to visualize data and create story maps with that data.
4. What is a unique fact about yourself? A unique fact about myself is that I love motorcycles.

DMC Announces New Business Development Manager and Energy and Sustainability Manager

(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.

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.

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

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

(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.

New Local Black History Traveling Exhibit Launches at City Hall in February

Nationwide, Black History Month will be celebrated in February 2024. This presents a rich opportunity for the Rochester community to honor its local and regional Black history and to celebrate the vibrant and dynamic community that makes up Rochester today.

The City of Rochester in partnership with Olmsted County and Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency (DMC EDA) will kick off the exhibition tour of a new traveling exhibit entitled Still We Rise: Rochester’s Black Legacy on Monday, February 5th, 2024 at 10am. The launch will feature an exhibition opening at the City Hall Rotunda and a brief program including remarks from Mayor Kim Norton and DEI Director Chao Mwatela. Due to space limitations, the launch event is limited to invited members of the community, City and County governance, and the press. The exhibit will be on public view in the City Hall Rotunda after the event from February 5-9 from 8am-5pm.

The Still We Rise: Rochester’s Black Legacy exhibit is a traveling showcase of the key leaders and events that have shaped the local community and its history. First developed through the leadership of Andre Crockett in partnership with the History Center of Olmsted County, the first “Rochester Black History” exhibit is currently installed at the History Center.

The new traveling pop-up exhibition directed by Andre Crockett (Founder and Owner of BarberShop & Social Services and Sports Mentorship Academy), and curated and designed by writer, Nicole Asong Nfonoyim-Hara (Founder of Griot Arts) will be hosted in various community venues and locations to activate dialogue and invite further learning about the city’s own connections to its Black history and a legacy of Black leadership and excellence. This exhibit is the first of its kind in its span of Rochester Black history and its contextualization of this history within the wider state and regional history from the mid-1800s to today.

Media Contacts:

Andre Crockett Sr. | [email protected]

Nicole Asong Nfonoyim-Hara | [email protected]

Request for Proposals, DMC Corp. Legal Services

The Destination Medical Center Corporation (the “DMCC”) is soliciting proposals for the provision of a full-service, outside legal counsel to represent it in an ongoing capacity as general counsel to a public, nonprofit corporation. The DMCC is a public, nonprofit corporation established by the City of Rochester under Minnesota Statutes, Sections 469.40 through 469.47, and Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 317A.

Proposals must be received no later than 4:00 p.m., Central Time (CT), March 28, 2024.

You may view and download the Request for Proposals (RFP) by clicking HERE.

Questions may be directed to Patrick Seeb, Executive Director, Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, at [email protected].

Submitted questions and DMC responses are available by clicking HERE.

Posted: January 25, 2024

Mayo Clinic’s Bold. Forward. Unbound. in Rochester Initiative: A New Chapter for Destination Medical Center

At Destination Medical Center (DMC), we are thrilled and inspired by the news that Mayo Clinic has announced a $5 billion dollar commitment to expanding its Rochester campus as part of the Bold. Forward. Unbound. in Rochester initiative. This is a historic moment for Mayo Clinic, the city of Rochester, Olmsted County, the state of Minnesota, and DMC. Mayo Clinic’s newest commitment to the city demonstrates the success and impact of the 20-year economic development initiative first authorized by a bipartisan group of Minnesota legislators and the Governor in 2013.

Not only is this the largest investment in Mayo’s 160-year history, but it is also the largest public or private investment in Minnesota’s history!

DMC was created to position Rochester as a global destination for health and wellness, and to support Mayo Clinic’s vision of transforming health care for the benefit of patients and society. Through DMC, we are leveraging public and private investments to create a vibrant, welcoming, and livable city that attracts talent, innovation, and visitors from around the world and solidifies Rochester as America’s City for Health.  Mayor Norton, in her remarks at the announcement, credited the DMC initiative as helping to “set the stage for this transformational project, in Rochester.”

Through 2022, approximately $200 million of public investment through DMC has helped attract nearly $1.5 billion of private investment from Mayo Clinic and other investors. Estimated job growth related to these initiatives total nearly 8,000 thus far. New public spaces supported with DMC funding include Discovery Walk, Heart of the City, and forthcoming Soldiers Field and riverfront redevelopment projects.

DMC successes through its first decade have helped create the conditions and opportunities that support Mayo Clinic’s new multi-billion-dollar commitment. Mayo Clinic’s Bold. Forward. Unbound. in Rochester initiative will expand its clinical, research, and education facilities in Rochester, enhancing the patient experience in addition to its ability to deliver world-class care and innovation to patients while advancing its mission of inspiring hope and contributing to health and well-being.  According to Mayo CEO, Gianrico Farrugia, M.D., the Unbound project will blur “…the lines across hospital, clinic, and digital care to help our teams anticipate our patients’ needs, accelerate more cures and greater connection to our patients.”

Mayo Clinic’s new commitment will also bring significant benefits to Rochester and the region, including:

  • Creating thousands of new jobs and generating new tax revenue for the state and local governments.
  • Attracting more visitors and businesses to Rochester, boosting the local economy and tourism industry.
  • Enhancing the quality of life and well-being of Rochester residents and Mayo Clinic patients and visitors, by providing more amenities, services, and opportunities for recreation, culture, and entertainment.
  • Strengthening Rochester’s reputation as America’s City for Health, and a model for sustainable and inclusive urban development.

As we celebrate this milestone, I want to thank Mayo Clinic for its leadership and partnership, and for its unwavering commitment to Rochester and Minnesota.  Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was explicit in acknowledging Mayo’s decision to invest in Rochester…” it’s not lost on myself, our administration or the people of Minnesota — you choose to make that investment in Rochester, Minnesota. You made a conscious effort as you looked elsewhere, where you could go, you said ‘No, this is the best place.”

I also want to thank the DMC Corporation Board, the City of Rochester, Olmsted County, and the State of Minnesota, and all our stakeholders and community members for their support and collaboration.

Together, we are enabling DMC to deliver on the vision and aspiration behind its inception and together, we will continue to make it a success.

I invite you to learn more about DMC and Mayo Clinic’s Bold Forward Unbound initiative by visiting our website and following us on social media. I also encourage you to share your thoughts and ideas on how we can make Rochester an even better place to live, work, and visit.

Thank you for being part of this journey, and for your passion and enthusiasm for DMC and Mayo Clinic. I look forward to working with you as we embark on this new chapter of growth and transformation.

Patrick Seeb
Executive Director
Destination Medical Center

Mayo Clinic’s Bold. Forward. Unbound. in Rochester is exciting news for Rochester

The news that Mayo Clinic’s board of directors has approved the $5 billion Bold. Forward. Unbound. in Rochester initiative to further expand its Rochester campus is a historic moment for our

city, our state, and our region, as we witness the world’s premier destination for health and wellness grow and thrive. “This is a transformative investment in the future of health care,” said executive director Patrick Seeb. “It solidifies Rochester as America’s City for Health, a destination for health and innovation.”

Mayo Clinic’s continued commitment to Rochester is also a reflection of the vision and collaboration that Destination Medical Center has nurtured and advanced since its inception in 2013. DMC, born of a bipartisan effort in the Minnesota legislature to strengthen Rochester as America’s City for Health with Mayo Clinic at its heart, has been instrumental in creating an environment that helped Mayo Clinic confidently commit to substantial expansion of its core campus. This unprecedented investment by Mayo Clinic coupled with additional significant public and private investment in downtown Rochester, is accelerating the Destination Medical Center initiative originally envisioned.

Over the past 10 years, we have seen this in many ways, including:

  • DMC’s ongoing stewardship of $585 million of public infrastructure funds, the largest in Minnesota history, to support improvements, public amenities, and placemaking projects in Rochester. The scope of improvements encompassed transportation, utilities, parking, parks, trails, public art, and more. These enhancements not only benefit Mayo Clinic, but the entire community and region.
  • DMC has facilitated the development of Discovery Square, a 16-block innovation district that connects Mayo with entrepreneurs, researchers, and educators. It is also home to One and Two Discovery Square which have a combined 290,000 square feet of cutting-edge life science amenities with such tenants as Phillips, Rion, and Mayo Clinic Advanced Diagnostics Laboratory.
  • DMC has supported the creation of signature public realm projects to enhance the experience and well-being of patients, visitors, and residents. The Heart of the City is a vibrant and welcoming public space that serves as the gateway to downtown Rochester and Mayo Clinic. Improvements to Soldiers Field Memorial Park will provide a relaxing experience for everyone, just a short walk from downtown. Connecting all of this is Discovery Walk, a 4-block linear parkway through Discovery Square that extends the collaborative environment within One and Two Discovery Square to the outdoor space.

DMC will continue to work with Mayo Clinic, the City of Rochester, and Olmsted County to make Rochester an increasingly attractive place to live, work and visit. Among other initiatives, we will be working together on the Link Bus Rapid Transit system and redevelopment of key riverfront areas along with a new Sixth Street bridge.

As these projects unfold, we will continue to approach them through lenses of equity and sustainability. Community co-design will be used in conjunction with Discovery Walk and other DMC initiatives to engage, hear from, and collaborate with our community. Work will continue with our partners in the City of Rochester to achieve sustainability and energy goals. We will leverage what we have learned in DMC’s first decade with respect to engaging businesses and other stakeholders impacted by construction to lessen inconvenience through Business Forward.

Mayo Clinic’s Bold. Forward. Unbound. in Rochester initiative is exciting news for Rochester. At DMC, we are proud to have played a part in enabling Mayo Clinic

to make a substantial new commitment to our community. We look forward to working with Mayo Clinic, the City of Rochester, and Olmsted County to fulfill our shared vision of making Rochester a world-class city that is a destination for health and wellness, and a place where everyone can live, work, and thrive.

Destination Medical Center Corporation Provides Direction on Shared Lab Environment

At the quarterly Destination Medical Center Corporation (DMCC) Board of Directors meeting, a request was made by DMC EDA staff for direction regarding the development of a shared lab environment at Two Discovery Square. This would be a shared laboratory space for life sciences startups for technology, workforce, and economic development with accessible lease rates and terms. The environment has the potential to attract businesses by reducing their risk and barriers to entry in the life sciences field.

“This is one of the more important initiatives we are involved in,” said board member Rybak. “Given the research we have seen, the shared lab concept will be a game changer for the Discovery Square ecosystem. While this is next to Mayo, it’s really about birthing other medical-related enterprises so we create more drivers of employment opportunities in the community.”

The shared lab environment has come to even more importance with the designation of Minnesota as a “med tech” hub by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The initiative, called MedTech 3.0, has the goal of making Minnesota a global center for “smart med-tech.”

If all goes according to plan, the shared lab space could begin operation in late 2024.

The DMCC Board also received a report from Dr. Lori Carrell, chancellor of the University of Minnesota-Rochester. The focus of the update was on the UMR Campus and Climate Action planning process and the future direction of the university. The Campus and Climate Action plan is being created to support UMR’s commitment to excellence sustained through managed enrollment growth by identifying time horizons and criteria for strategic decision points in a phased approach to facilities expansion.

When asked what DMC can do to support the success of University of Minnesota-Rochester, Chancellor Carrell responded, “The reality is you have already been helpful, and we want to be more intentional as we move forward. One way is in the recruitment of new businesses to Rochester. The sooner we can be involved in that process, the sooner we can meet their workforce needs.”

The board also received a report on the requirements for the 2025 DMC Development Plan. According to the DMC legislation, the DMC Development Plan needs to be updated every 5 years. The last time the plan was updated was in 2020. The 2025 plan will represent the halfway point of the DMC initiative.

“This is a perfect moment to review what has been achieved in the last 5 years, as well as an opportunity to take an in-depth look at the near future of the DMC initiative and what that means for our community,” said DMCC Board Chair Wheelock. “Let’s sharpen our thoughts and think strategically about how to keep the broader community informed about our progress.”

Much of the Development Plan update work will occur in mid- to late-2024 with the Plan moving for approval by the DMCC board and Rochester City Council in May of 2025.

The next DMCC Board meeting is set for February 1, 2023 at 9:30. a.m.

Main Street Grant Program a Resounding Success

The Main Street Economic Revitalization Grant Program’s completion was marked by a visit from Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Matt Varilek on a pleasant day in October. Over two rounds of funding, Destination Medical Center (DMC) allocated nearly $4 million to support over 70 businesses and organizations in Rochester.

MN DEED Matt Varilek pictured with Main Street Grant recipients, co-designers, navigators, lenders, and DMC EDA staff.

Patrick Seeb, DMC EDA Executive Director, emphasized the importance of downtowns as they embody the essence and identity of a community, whether it’s in Rochester, St. Cloud, Minneapolis-St. Paul, or Mankato. Recognizing this, the State of Minnesota wisely chose to support downtown areas in their recovery.

Destination Medical Center received funding from MN DEED to distribute to current and future organizations in three key business districts in Rochester for capital improvement projects. These business districts include the DMC district, the southeast Crossroads to Bear Creek area, and the Northgate area.

The grant awards ranged from $5,000 to $500,000, with an average award of around $59,000. Thanks to this initiative, over 300 permanent jobs have been created, and 22 vacant storefronts are now occupied.

While these grants were available to all, special efforts were made to reach out to BIPOC-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses in these areas. These efforts resulted in 20 BIPOC-owned businesses receiving grant funding, and 18 woman- and veteran-owned businesses also being awarded funding.

This program has played a vital role in supporting and revitalizing downtown areas, fostering economic growth, and creating opportunities for a diverse range of businesses and organizations.