Destination Medical Center is Attracting Private Investment from Across the Country

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Destination Medical Center (DMC) is proving to be a magnet for private investment from across the country. In the case of seven DMC-supported projects, capital has come from Minnesota, California, Utah, Nebraska, Illinois, Florida and Massachusetts.

“One of our jobs is to drive investment and talent to Rochester and the state of Minnesota,” said Lisa Clarke, DMC Economic Development Agency executive director. “This shows that it is actually happening. We want people to invest here and stay here in Minnesota.”

Rochester entrepreneurs create website to inspire new adventures in Southeast Minnesota

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Andy Vig (left) and Chris Lukenbill

Endless adventures await throughout Southeast Minnesota. You just need to be able to find them.

That’s where Shrpa comes in. Rochester residents Chris Lukenbill and Andy Vig created the online resource to share ideas for local activities.

“There were so many things to do that we were finding out about in Rochester through other people’s adventures and expeditions,” said Lukenbill. “They were discovering new things that we had never known about.”

“You can usually do the research by looking up Yelp, Google, talking to people, trying to aggregate all this yourself, but that’s so much work,” Vig said. “I’ve got two young kids, Chris has two slightly older kids, and there’s just no time in the day for that.”

DMCC Board Doubles Down on Discovery Square in Rochester, Minnesota

Press Releases

Approves Next Phase of Life Science and Technology Campus

The Destination Medical Center Corporation (DMCC) Board today approved $7.3 million in public infrastructure funding for Mortenson Development Inc’s construction of Discovery Square Two in the DMC Discovery Square subdistrict.

The $45 million project will be a five-story,124,000 square foot, LEED-certified medical office and lab building with outdoor space, connectivity to One Discovery Square, tenant and public programming and potential 5G connectivity. The building will support approximately 500 long-term jobs while its construction will create approximately 800 short-term jobs.

From Renovation to Operation – Hotel Indigo now open in downtown Rochester

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After undergoing an extensive renovation and a name change, what once was the Holiday Inn in downtown Rochester, Minnesota is now welcoming guests as the new Hotel Indigo.

The project, led by EKN Development Group, began in 2018 after the Destination Medical Center Corporation Board approved public infrastructure funding for the project. The renovation includes updates to its 178 rooms, exterior, ballroom, pool, fitness room, and conference spaces.

“This is another milestone that shows DMC is moving forward,” said Lisa Clarke, DMC Economic Development Agency executive director. “It’s progressing, the momentum is building and it’s really exciting for us to see these projects open. There’s a little something for everyone in a building like this.”

Open houses provide opportunity for community to share ideas along proposed rapid transit route

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The City of Rochester and Destination Medical Center (DMC) are completing a comprehensive assessment and analysis of economic development opportunity, transit-supportive land use possibilities, public realm improvement options and infrastructure that will enhance access and ridership on a planned Rochester rapid transit system. The work will be used in the City and DMC’s collaborative planning with Olmsted County and Mayo Clinic as it relates to the development of the east and west transit villages that serve as the foundation for the system.

The proposed Rochester rapid transit corridor runs along 2nd Street SW and South Broadway Avenue. This new investment has the potential to add mobility options for residents, employees and businesses, guide future growth and development in a smart way, and enhance well-being.

To kick off this effort, two open houses will be held on Tuesday, February 4, 2020:

Five Questions with Wayne Gannaway, History Center of Olmsted County Executive Director

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Wayne Gannaway joined the History Center of Olmsted County as its executive director in June 2019. The history center shares the stories of Olmsted County’s people and places to encourage residents and visitors to explore how those stories connect to their own experience and those of their community. The organization is currently working on a re-branding to engage with a broader segment of the community, with a special emphasis on bringing history downtown, through pop-up exhibits, digital platforms and special tours and programs.

A Message from Lisa Clarke

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 Realizing progress and planning for what’s next

One of the rewards for being involved in Rochester’s growth is that I get to see something new – change happening every single day – in real time.

The physical changes to downtown Rochester with new buildings and spaces and renovations are already transforming our community in positive ways, but the true power of Destination Medical Center (DMC) lies in what’s happening around and between these physical structures- the collective work of many.

The Berkman mixed-use apartment building in Rochester nears completion

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Rochester media and community partners recently toured The Berkman, a 14-story mixed-use apartment building being developed by Alatus, LLC, a Minneapolis-based real estate development group. The DMC-supported project in the Saint Marys sub-district was approved in 2016 and broke ground in May of 2018.

DMC EDA executive director Lisa Clarke speaks to media and community partners touring The Berkman.

“This is a momentous occasion for DMC and for Rochester,” said Lisa Clarke, DMC Economic Development Agency executive director. “We’re going to add 350 units to this particular area at Saint Marys and that means a lot more people are going to shop in this area. They have access to trails, they have access to public transportation, and they can walk downtown. This is the live-work environment envisioned for downtown Rochester.”

Five Questions with Holly Masek, Rochester Downtown Alliance Executive Director

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Holly Masek joined the Rochester Downtown Alliance (RDA) in June of 2019 as the organization’s executive director. The mission of the Rochester Downtown Alliance is to be “a unique, vibrant, urban experience—a central gathering place—for the community that is attractive, inviting, fun, and livable.”

Through a series of special events, activities, and initiatives, the RDA creates energy, excitement, and a unique character to Downtown Rochester, Minnesota, with the belief that a strong core positively impacts the greater city of Rochester.