The Destination Medical Center Corporation (DMCC) Board of Directors conditionally approved $10 million for improvements at Soldiers Field Memorial Park. This request will help to fund proposed uses north of the golf course, which falls within the DMC District. Soldiers Field Golf Course is outside the district.

“We look forward to partnering with the community to make their vision for Soldiers Field become a reality,” said DMC Board Chair Pamela Wheelock. “It is a critical piece of community infrastructure and a great asset to downtown Rochester.”

The improvements will be based on the Soldiers Field Master plan update that is currently being reviewed by the Rochester City Council.

Additionally, the board approved funding for the continued support of LINK Bus Rapid Transit, the construction of the final two blocks of Discovery Walk, and funding the advancement of the Riverfront Small Area Plan that was approved by the Rochester City Council in July of 2022.

The board also received an update on DMC’s strategies to develop new community housing in the downtown core with the support of the Coalition for Rochester Area Housing, a collaborative community program to create and preserve affordable and workforce-priced housing in the Rochester area. One of the successful strategies has been the introduction of new housing developers to the Rochester market.

“It has been a long road getting everyone to the table,” said DMC Board Secretary Paul Williams. “This is exciting to see. We want to have a community where there is competition to build affordable housing.”

Additionally, the DMCC board approved the DMC Economic Development Agency’s (EDA) 2023 workplan and budgets. Strategic direction from the board as well as DMC goals, guiding principles and priorities helped shape the request. It will be presented in October to Rochester City Council for approval.

See the full video below:

The next DMCC Board meeting is set for Thursday, November 10, 2022 at 9:30 a.m.

September 8, 2022 – ROCHESTER, MINN. – Destination Medical Center (DMC) Economic Development Agency is pleased to announce the first recipients of grants from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Main Street Economic Revitalization Program.

“There is an excellent partnership between DEED, DMC, and the City of Rochester, and thanks to that close collaboration these grants are focused on supporting local businesses hit hardest by the pandemic,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. “These grants will help revitalize areas with the greatest economic development and redevelopment needs that have arisen since the pandemic began.”

To date, 30 businesses within the DMC District have been recommended for funding totaling over $1.6 million. These funds will help to leverage over $48 million in private investment into Rochester’s downtown.

“The City of Rochester would like to thank DEED and DMC for their partnership in this important grant program. Our local businesses play such a vital role in the vibrancy and character of our community. I have heard from many businesses how impactful the COVID-19 pandemic has been and I hope that these grant dollars will help with both recovery and their ability to thrive in the future,” shared Mayor Kim Norton.

A community-based team comprised of downtown stakeholders was assembled to review applications and provide feedback on each grant application based on the following criteria:

• Revitalization of properties or organizations operating within or contiguous to the DMC district harmed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Elevating opportunities for BIPOC, veteran, disabled business and property owners, and disadvantaged business entities.
• Creating and retaining permanent jobs.
• Enabling businesses to strengthen and diversify their products and services.

DMC Executive Director Patrick Seeb said, “We are grateful to our team of staff and community co-designers for their assistance in bringing this project to fruition. We wanted to make this process as fair and equitable as possible and to help those organizations in greatest need.”

This community-based team provided their recommendations to the DMC EDA Board for review and approval. Each entity agreed on the following recommendations:

• 100 1st Ave. Commercial Condo Association: $2,250
  Repaving the parking lot with asphalt.
• 1AF, LP – $1,700
  Replace lobby flooring.
• BGD5 Development, LLC – $52,900
  Demolition of existing blighted structure, with intent of removing for future planning and development
• BGD5 Mall DBA: Galleria at University Square – $23,797
  Broadway and Peace Plaza facing: Exterior entrance repair & repaint, exterior lighting replacement, exterior door replacement.
• Capital Ventures, LLC – $200,000
  Restoration of the building for new restaurant concept
• Chabad of Southern Minnesota – $59,900
  Renovation of hospitality house operator suite into patient/guest quarters.
• City Walk, LLC – $200,000
  Development and construction of 142 unit apartment building with 142 parking stalls
• Everyday 365 Clothing, LLC – $4,500
  Renovations to outside of storefront, shelving space to be built into walls, new paint job, new signage, door for back room, new flooring, signage/lighting inside of store.
• Guerin Studio, LLC – $22,500
  Remodel storefront
• Healing Touch Spa, LLC – $35,000
  Construct two couples massage rooms and a meditation room and a dispensary for staff.
• Interiors by J. Curry, LLC – $1,220
  Purchase and installation of a new sign
• Ironton, LLC: $85,800
  Building out the main floor to accommodate office space.
• James Krom Natural Images – $1,750
  Replace flooring
• Kahler Inn and Suites: $15,000
  Improvements to the façade of the east facing wall of the building.
• Knight’s Chamber: $9,600
  Remodeling the front entry of the business, as well as adding a dressing room, lighting and repainting.
• La Michoacana Purepecha 3, LLC – $52,500
  Remodeling of the entire site, with dry storage, employee break room, kitchen preparation, sinks, hand-wash stations, and new flooring
• The Landing MN – $200,000
  Property is being renovated to house a commercial kitchen, day room, restrooms, showers, and laundry as well as offices for leadership, staff, and volunteer medical providers.
• Marrow Restaurant – $133,919
  Demolition, site preparation, build-out of restaurant and installation of equipment – including engineering, pre-design and design work
• Masjed Abubakr A-Seddeig, Inc. – $100,000
  Renovating two floors of the building with classroom space to support new job training programs. An elevator will also be installed to support access to the classrooms.
• Neighborly Group – $58,700
  Remodel of Neighborly Creative and Neighborly Gifts stores
• Nordic Shop: $23,400
  Expanding their footprint to an adjacent vacant storefront to accommodate growth of in-store and web-based sales.
• Rochester Art Center – $5,100
  Exterior window bird collision mitigation
• Rowan International Grocery Store, LLC – $15,000
  Installation of a walk-in cooler and remodeling of the building
• Skiathos, LLC – $8,000
  Repairing and restriping the parking lot of the Queen City Center Strip Mall
• Thesis Beer Project: $9000
  Construction of a new 30-40 seat patio on 2^nd Street
• TRCH Plaza, LLP: $11,000
  New roof on the building.
• True Queens Boutique: $4,500
  New downtown business will use funds to assist with purchasing signage, flooring, furniture, lighting, tables, and shelves.
• The Well: $200,000
  Renovation of the former Dooley’s Pub site into a new family restaurant.
• Well Living Lab, Inc – $10,000
  Energy efficiency and technology upgrades
• Zumbro Lutheran Church – $6,000
  Purchase and installation of an exterior digital sign

All grant awards are subject to final approval from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

About the Main Street Grant Program
The Main Street Grant program provides 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 can cover up to 30% of the project costs with applicants securing other sources of funding to match any funds granted by this program. Funding for the $3 million grant was awarded on October 14, 2021, from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Main Street Economic Revitalization Program.

For more information on the Main Street Grant program and to apply, visit dmc.mn/ms.

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Learn, Transform, and Innovate at DMC’s Annual Meeting

Join us in celebrating Rochester’s continued growth and transformation at the DMC Annual meeting on Thursday, September 15th from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on 1st Avenue SE between Center Street and 1st Street SE. This location will showcase a future public realm project connecting the Heart of the City with the Mayo Civic Center and the Downtown Waterfront sub-district, as well as proximity to future development sites.

The DMC Annual Meeting is free and open to the public. Advanced registration is preferred.

“The solution to housing in Rochester is in this room and in this community.”

These words by DMC Executive Director Patrick Seeb kicked off the 2022 Rochester Housing Summit on Thursday, May 12th at the Mayo Civic Center. The Rochester Housing Summit provided a deep dive into understanding Rochester’s housing needs. There was also a spotlight focused on the opportunities, potential development sites, and the financial tools available to bring more housing to the community.

The summit included experts from the City of Rochester, Olmsted County, Destination Medical Center, and the Coalition for Rochester Area Housing. Wes Johnson, Senior Underwriter for the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund and Anne Ketz, Director of Real Estate Development and Asset Management for Urban Homeworks were also on hand to discuss the financial tools and innovative housing approaches that are available across the state.

One of the keynote presenters was Johnny Opara, President, and CEO of JO Companies, LLC, a Black-owned, mission-driven real estate development company that specializes in developing affordable multifamily housing, workforce housing, and selling residential and commercial real estate. When asked about the key ingredients in creating equitable housing, Opara said, “Engage the community, be fair, listen first and foremost. I think you have a really strong chance for projects to move forward.”

“I would like to thank all of our sponsors, our partners and panelists, that helped put together this amazing day,” said DMC Director of Housing and Sustainability Kevin Bright. We are very appreciative. We couldn’t have done it without you.”

You can watch the 2022 Rochester Housing Summit on DMC’s YouTube channel. Click on this link for access to the materials presented at the summit.

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May 19, 2022 – ROCHESTER, MINN. – The City of Rochester and Destination Medical Center (DMC) Economic Development Agency are pleased to announce the launch of the $3 million Main Street Grant program. Funding for the grant was awarded on October 14, 2021, from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Main Street Economic Revitalization Program.

“Destination Medical Center has established itself as one of the leading economic development partnerships in the country,” said Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Steve Grove. “These new investments in Main Street revitalization will create jobs and growth in Rochester – particularly in corridors hit hardest by the pandemic.”

The Main Street Grant program intends to provide 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 can cover up to 30% of the project costs with applicants securing other sources of funding to match any funds granted by this program.

Any person or organization planning to invest in eligible capital projects in the DMC district may apply. Businesses and organizations that represent Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), veteran, disabled, Black, Indigenous, or people of color whose projects will build wealth, create jobs, and stabilize communities in the district are strongly encouraged to apply.

“We are pleased to be launching the Main Street Grant program and we are grateful for the efforts of our community partners in shaping the application process,” said DMC Director of Business Development Chris Schad. “The Main Street Grant program reflects our shared vision of equitable access to financial tools for property owners and small businesses.”

DMC worked with six community co-designers to help guide the design process of the Main Street Grant program. Co-designers are connectors to underrepresented community members with different perspectives – cultural, religious, mobility, mental health, and socio-economic. The community co-designers engaged with their communities to discuss how the application and approval process could be more accessible to under-represented communities.

“Co-design was a conscious and intentional effort to make an application process with the people it intends to serve,” said Kevin Bright, DMC’s Director of Housing and Sustainability. “From its use, we learned many challenges the community faces in accessing grant opportunities and we believe provided a set of tools, resources, connections, and support to allow as many as possible to ease their access to these funds. We want to thank our co-designers whose commitment to the project and the community, we think created a much more equitable outcome”.

In addition to the $3 million grant award in October, MN DEED announced a second round of funding on Tuesday, May 17, of which DMC was awarded an additional $988,000. This second round of funding will expand the Main Street Economic Revitalization initiative to provide grants to businesses outside of the DMC district to support economic recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak.

“The City of Rochester and our partners in economic development, particularly DEED, DMC and RAEDI, understand the importance of having healthy, viable neighborhood commercial corridors”, said Deputy City Administrator Cindy Steinhauser. “This funding from the DEED Main Street Economic Revitalization program will provide funding to support equitable, economic recovery for these neighborhoods devastated by the impacts of COVID-19. We want to thank the State of Minnesota and DEED for creating opportunities for cities and for their confidence in investing in Rochester’s recovery.”

The details for the second Main Street Grant program will be announced in the coming months.

(Rochester, Minn.) May 18, 2022 – The Destination Medical Center Corporation (DMCC) Board of Directors at a special meeting today passed a resolution to approve three enhancements to the Link Bus Rapid Transit project for submission to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Small Starts Program. The enhancements approved in the resolution are:

• Realignment and extension of east terminus with a new station on 6th St. SE, west of 3rd Ave. SE.
• Enhanced station user experience focused on weather protection and sustainable design materials with direct access to pedestrian subways.
• Expanding the project definition in the application to the FTA Small Starts Program to include infrastructure improvements, including design and construction of a public plaza area, a portion (1,400 feet) of the roadway, municipal utilities along this roadway, and public parking at the West Transit Village, extension of 6th Street SE, and bus maintenance improvements at the Public Works Transit Operations Center.

The reason for these enhancements is to improve connections between people, neighborhoods, employment, parks, shopping, and dining along the Link route. The approved enhancements will extend the estimated completion date of the project to the spring of 2026. The resolution will next move to the Rochester City Council for approval.

The DMCC also approved a resolution to for additional capital investments for the Chateau Theatre. These funds will provide for the installing, furnishing, and equipping of the Chateau Theatre as a multipurpose performing arts center and driver of DMC development district economic activity and revitalization.

The improvements will include:

• Audience furnishings
• Lighting, projection, and audio/public address equipment
• Stage, pipe and drape, and truss items

“This is an opportunity to see what works really well and how it connects to the Heart of the City,” said board member Brooke Carlson. “It gives us at the city time to figure out a long-term strategy for the theatre.”

The meeting also marked the end of board member R.T. Rybak’s term as chair. During the meeting, Pam Wheelock was voted in as the new chair of the DMCC Board of Directors. “I am honored to pass the gavel to Pam Wheelock,” said former chair R.T. Rybak. Pam has tremendous experience working in economic development and with cities.”

Newly elected Chair Pam Wheelock stated, “I am delighted that R.T. [Rybak] will continue his service on the board. I am also pleased that Kim [Norton] will continue to serve as vice chair. I look forward to their sustained support as we move forward.” Mark Thein was elected Treasurer of the board. Chair Wheelock appointed Paul Williams as Secretary and Dale Martinson, City of Rochester Director of Finance and Information Technology, will continue as Vice Treasurer.

The next DMCC Board Meeting is scheduled for September 22, 2022, at 9:30 a.m.

May 16, 2022 – ROCHESTER, MINN. – The City of Rochester and Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency are announcing the beginning of the Downtown Sidewalk Experience Enhancement project on Monday, May 16^th. The purpose of the project is to replace the deteriorated brick inlay with an exposed aggregate pattern similar to other areas in downtown.

The new sidewalk will eliminate the tripping hazards caused by the brick inlay popping out. Pedestrian ramps will also be improved in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines. As a result of these improvements, the overall downtown pedestrian experience will be enhanced.

“It is great to see this project take its next steps after continuous input from the community requesting these upgrades,” shared City of Rochester Project Manager Jaymi Wilson. “On top of safety improvements, the Downtown Sidewalk Enhancement Project will bring a new level of visual appeal to our Downtown area.”

An important part of the project will be the implementation of Business Forward strategies that were pioneered during the Heart of the City Phase I project. Business Forward seeks to minimize the impact of construction on businesses and pedestrians in the area. Some of the tools implemented include strategic phasing of the project, maintaining access to businesses, and the placement of public art to beautify the space.

“Adding art to the otherwise mundane concrete barriers is a creative way to add vibrancy to an important pedestrian space,” said Founding Director of Threshold Arts Naura Anderson. “This collaboration with the City and DMC helps Threshold Arts fulfill our mission to support local artists financially while connecting the community with their work in nontraditional ways. Our hope is that these murals will bring more folks downtown, and that they will support neighboring businesses, while they are in the area.”

The first phase of the project will begin on the southwest corner of Broadway Avenue and 4 Street SW and will move up the west side of Broadway to 3 Street SW. As a result, southbound traffic on Broadway Avenue will be reduced to one lane in the project area. Upon completion of this phase, the project will move over to the east side of Broadway. The total project scope includes sidewalks along Broadway Avenue from 2 Street North to 4 Street South as well as sidewalks along Historic 3rd Street SW and 1 Avenue SW. For more information on the Downtown Sidewalk Experience Enhancement, please visit the project webpage.