Local artists bring life to public spaces. With the summer winding down, we invite you to make the most of the beautiful weather by taking an “Art Walk” through Downtown Rochester. Downtown is full of sculptures, murals and other creative installations, each with their own stories to tell.

The city of Rochester celebrates its local artists through a variety of online resources. To learn more about the many artworks downtown, visitors can refer to the Public Art Map. On the map, you can discover art installations, see which ones may be on your usual route or plan out an art walk centered around viewing the pieces. Each piece is assigned a number to help you identify it on the map. The website will also point you to nearby pieces to help develop your route.

Interested in taking your own art walk? We put together an example of what one could look like:

Start your walk with a coffee and vibrant murals  

The 300 block of Broadway Avenue is host to a variety of colorful artworks. Eye-catching and selfie-worthy murals such as artist Leah Bee’s Organically Yours (#46 on the Public Art Map) and Maggie Panetta’s Impala (#34) adorn the walls near Café Steam, a favorite local coffee shop. Start your walk off with a latte and a quick photo with a colorful backdrop.

Head northeast to the Triton fountain and Hope sculpture

Make your way over to 1^st street to admire two very different yet complementary works: Triton and Hope. Triton (#64), created by Swedish sculptor Carl Milles, is a bronze fountain sculpted in the likeness of Poseidon. Nearby, Hope (#33) stands in striking contrast. Sculpted by Charles Huntington, an American Indian artist of Ojibwe descent, Hope is a steel structure painted in bright, vivid orange.

Make your way to Discovery Walk

The brand-new Discovery Walk is not only home to lush greenery; it also features numerous art installations from talented artists, including Ayub HajiOmar and Sophia Chai. HajiOmar’s Poems in the Park is a collection of poems designed to engage with those passing by. Chai’s Punctuated Asymptote, a series of bright blue lights spanning the length of Discovery Walk, illuminates the walkway by night and day.

Conclude your art walk at the Heart of the City

Five world-renowned artists were invited to collaborate with the Heart of the City design team. Finish your walk with some of the most

captivating works in the city, including A Not So Private Sky (#2), A Song for Water with De Wakpa Taŋka Odowaŋ (#4), Peace Fountain (#49) and Wakefield (#67). Ending your route here will place you steps away from excellent bars and restaurants to continue enjoying your day downtown.

Join us on September 19 for Destination Medical Center’s Annual Meeting from 4 – 7 p.m. on Discovery Walk. This year the DMC annual meeting will highlight public space assets in our community, celebrate the 2024 milestones, provide the opportunity to connect with members and organizations in the community, and learn about what is on the horizon for the coming year. The evening includes gathering outside with strategic activities coordinated by community partners and a program. We hope to see you there. REGISTER HERE!

4:00-5:30 p.m. Open House Highlighting Strategic Initiatives and Networking
5:30-6:00 p.m. Program
6:30-7:00 p.m. Networking and Light Bites

A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors:

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Knutson Construction, Kraus-Anderson, SRF Consulting Group, Fredrikson, Weis Builders

Finding summer activities all ages can enjoy

Planning a day out with the kids? Rochester offers so much to do, with activities that appeal to all age groups and interests. We’ve put together a list of ideas for your next family outing in downtown Rochester.

“Rochester is not only a vibrant place to live and work, but it is also a great place to raise a family,” said Patrick Seeb, DMC Economic Development Agency Executive Director. “In our planning efforts, we are always looking for ways to appeal to all stages of life, including implementing features anyone can enjoy downtown.”

Rochester Public Library

Rochester’s downtown library is much more than just a place to check out books. The library offers a steady flow of kid-friendly activities, including story time, crafts, family dance parties and more. The library also hosts visiting performers, so refer to their calendar to see all their upcoming events. For avid readers, there is always the option to drop by and browse the ever-growing collection of books for both children and teens. Stop in and find a cozy nook to read a book!

Play on the Plaza

Each Saturday, during the summer months, families can come to Peace Plaza from 8:30 to 11:30 am to enjoy Play on the Plaza, with fun activities out in the sun. It is free to attend, and events have included family yoga, art activities, and programming from partners such as Threshold Arts and SPARK Children’s Museum. Play on the Plaza also offers an inclusive experience through their partner, Autism Resource Guide, by providing a sensory nook. After the fun wraps up, we recommend heading over to one of the many restaurants downtown to grab lunch.

Rochester Art Center

The Rochester Art Center is well known for its world-class exhibits. During the summer, they offer programming for children. While the adults in the family enjoy the galleries, children can attend Total Arts Day Camp, where they can create their own art, learn from professionals and build their skill set and confidence in the visual arts. Day camp sessions are available for children in grades 1-6.

Soldiers Field Memorial Park

Families can make a whole day out of visiting Soldiers Field. The park is home to an aquatic center, tennis courts, softball, baseball, a play area, and more. The aquatic center recently underwent improvements and now features slides, a lazy river, multiple pools, and a splash pad. Whether guests want to spend a day cooling off at the pool or out on the playground, they can find it here at the park.

Downtown Farmers Market

Each Wednesday afternoon during the growing season, families can pay a visit to the downtown Rochester Farmers Market on Discovery Walk. Visitors can learn about and support local businesses and leave with a gift or sweet treat. Head to the Farmers Market website to learn more about vendors and see what’s in season.

There is so much for families to do and see downtown, and only more to come on the horizon. Keep an eye on our website for more family-friendly events. We are just getting started!

Our Guide to Outdoor Dining  

In Minnesota, we wait all winter for patio season, and it’s finally here! Are you looking for some recommendations on where to grab happy hour outdoors with friends or eat dinner under the stars? Luckily, Rochester has a wide array of restaurants that provide opportunities for some fun in the sun.

Here is a list of some DMC favorites:

International Cuisine

ThaiPop – ThaiPop’s colorful patio area is sure to catch your eye. Located on Historic 3^rd Street, this Thai restaurant has won numerous awards, including best Asian restaurant by Rochester Magazine, and best bar for mocktails by Travel and Leisure. ThaiPop features dishes that are just as vibrant as their patio; they are currently offering their summer menu, so stop in for wings, curry, coconut brisket and more.

BeBap – A colorful mural adorns the outdoor space at BeBap. Enjoy delicious Korean dishes in a lively setting. BeBap features a happy hour, shareable dishes, and a wide selection of cocktails. It’s the perfect place to hang out after work and unwind or stop in for their lunch specials. You can enjoy dishes such as bulgogi beef, kimchi fried rice or seaweed fries.

Grab a Beer and a Bite

The Tap House – Tap House’s 3^rd Street location features a rooftop patio where you can enjoy craft brews and a burger while taking in the view of the city from above. Tap House has a rotating selection of craft beers, so you will always have a shot at trying something new. If you can’t make up your mind, they also offer flights so you can sample multiple brews.

507 Pub(lic) House – This downtown pub boasts cuisine from around the world, with dishes such as chicken tikka masala, Irish meatloaf, and Moroccan meatballs. 507 Public House also serves a variety of tap beer selections, wine and cocktails. Brunch is also served on the weekends. Enjoy the buzz of downtown while savoring their international fare.

Date Night Destinations

Our Paladar – An airy and open patio adorns this Cuban influenced restaurant. Enjoy a variety of seafood options and Cuban sides like yuca fries, patatas bravas and plantains. Our Paladar is an ideal spot for date night or dinner and drinks with friends. They also offer a happy hour, so stop in and enjoy a bite and a delicious cocktail before your dinner.

Victoria’s Ristorante & Wine Bar – With a convenient location on 1^st Avenue, Victoria’s is an ideal spot to enjoy dinner and a glass of wine. They have a happy hour available on their patio and at the bar. Their signature Italian dishes include pasta, pizza and seafood. Provimi veal is also featured in a number of their dishes.

Gluten-Free Dining

Twigs Tavern and Grille – Twigs’ patio is a local favorite. With an abundant amount of greenery, guests can dine outside into the evening, with the backdrop of lanterns and a nearby stream. Those who are gluten-free can rest assured that they will be able to find a wide variety of entrees. Twigs also prepares gluten-free items in a separate kitchen to prevent cross contamination. They also feature “hot rock” grilling, which lets diners grill their own meat or seafood on a 650-degree rock, brought right to their table.

Stop by any of these destinations all summer long! Your taste buds will thank you.

If you work downtown, you know there’s no shortage of great places to grab a tasty lunch to fuel your afternoon. But don’t stop there. Rochester’s food scene is bursting with options for fun happy hours, delicious dinners and weekend cuisine adventures.

“It’s been exciting to see the energy downtown, with more people and families coming to check out new restaurants and visit old favorites,” said Patrick Seeb, DMC Economic Development Agency Executive Director. “There’s a lot of positive momentum and we’re happy to be part of it. It’s great to see our city flourish and grow.”

Here’s some tasty food for thought when you’re feeling hungry for a downtown experience.

Dining Delights

Bleu Duck Kitchen

Look no further than Bleu Duck Kitchen, a locally owned restaurant and event space where “white linens meet a casual feel” and every customer is treated as a friend. Choose from an ever-changing menu featuring fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients, along with the largest oyster bar in Rochester. Want to learn their cooking secrets? No problem – cooking classes are available throughout the year.

Chester’s Kitchen and Bar

If you have a taste for savory American cuisine with a side of comfort, you can’t beat Chester’s.  Nestled in the heart of Peace Plaza, Chester’s upscale fare features everything from salads and sandwiches to delicious burgers, seafood and steaks. If you’ve been there, you know why it consistently receives high marks not only for its food, but for its atmosphere and service as well.

Wanting Weekend Vibes?

Benedict’s

What’s more “weekend-y” than a modern diner that serves up the classics as well as new takes on old favorites? That’s Benedict’s, where contemporary chic meets comforting homestyle charm every day from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy familiar favorites for breakfast, brunch, and lunch, along with inventive pancakes, house-made tater tot hashes, and nine varieties of eggs Benedict. And don’t forget to toast your weekend with your choice of fresh morning cocktails.

Bitter and Pour

For those of you interested in the best nightlife has to offer, Rochester’s own Bitter and Pour has been rated one of the Top 50 speakeasies in the United States and Canada (as rated by Yelp). Housed in the Merchant Exchange building on Historic 3rd Street, visitors must enter via concealed bookcase after answering a riddle. The throwback-meets-modern drink menu includes house creations with fun names (Chubby Ginger and The Rich Uncle, for example), classics (also with fun names like First World Problem and Soul Crusher), mocktails like Virgin Ginger and Zero Expectation (“no alcohol but twice the love”) as well as wine and spirits. Come for the unique cocktails and stay for the great atmosphere!

Keeping it Quick and Easy

Al Madina Restaurant

Plan your next international food adventure just down the street at Al Madina Restaurant. Step through the doors of this family-owned oasis and you’re immersed in authentic Middle Eastern/ Mediterranean décor and tantalizing smells of flavorful shawarma, falafel, hummus and more. Dine or take out – and don’t forget their homemade desserts. You’ll definitely be booking a return trip this summer!

City Market

If an urban deli is your style, stop by City Market. With its big New York-style sandwiches featuring large portions of freshly sliced meats, gourmet cheeses, crisp vegetables and one-of-a-kind spreads on bakery fresh bread, it’s no wonder that City Market has been voted Rochester’s best deli and sandwiches for the past seven years. Not in the mood for a sandwich? They also have signature salads, soups, and homemade desserts. Come and go or linger in the outside seating area and enjoy the city sunshine.

The First Avenue Food Court

Can’t agree on a restaurant for lunch? Take the skyway cuisine tour in the First Avenue Food Court. Choose from six different global cuisines including Taste of Philippines, Cedar Taste Mediterranean Food for shawarma and falafel, Chinese Chinh’s Express, Thai Garden, Blue Diamond Indian Restaurant and Wabi Sabi for sushi and noodles. Quick, easy, tasty and convenient – and everyone gets what they want.

Are you hungry yet? Us, too! Bon Appetit.

One of our community’s favorite summer activities, Thursdays Downtown, is back for another exciting season. This year marks the 20^th anniversary of this beloved gathering, still as popular as ever, with 15,000 visitors expected each week. Originally started in 2004 to attract visitors to Rochester, Thursdays Downtown has become a summer mainstay not only for out-of-town guests but also for those of us who live, work, and play downtown, enjoying all that Rochester has to offer.

Made possible by the Rochester Downtown Alliance, Thursdays Downtown has something for everyone, no matter what you are in the mood for.

In the mood to shop? Check out local vendors.

Shopping local is a great way to support and get to know your community. The 2024 list of vendors is available in the Thursdays Downtown event guide, with details on all the offerings and the dates vendors will be downtown. From beautifully designed (and environmentally friendly) Biyaya Bags to the unique, handmade perfumes of Osmofolia, children’s books by author and illustrator Kutie Kari, and fun wine-tasting events with Four Daughters Vineyard and Winery. Each week offers a different selection of vendors, so you can plan your walk ahead of time with the event layout guide to make sure you get to everyone. Vendors selling organic products are also indicated in the guide. You can also stop and shop at the Galleria at University Square, a short walk away from the festivities. Find a new shop or return for an old favorite!

Hungry?

You’re guaranteed to leave stuffed. Stop by for lunch or after a long day of work! With a rotating selection of food vendors, you’re sure to find something delicious. Whether you’re in the mood for tacos or Thai food, pizza, or something sweet, you’ll find it downtown. The event guide indicates vendors selling organic and naturally grown products. Food vendors include Little Thistle Brewing, Popus Gourmet Popcorn, Benedict’s and many more.

Looking to kick back and listen to music?

Thursdays Downtown’s entertainment is weekend-worthy. Musicians will perform on the 1^st Ave and Peace Plaza stages starting at 11 a.m. with a break in the afternoon and return in the evening from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Musicians from a variety of genres will take the stage, including performances from Mariachi Estrella MN, The Soul Train, Uptown Jazz and more. Whether you are stopping by on a lunch break with coworkers or spending an evening out on the town, your ears – and dancing shoes, if you’re up for it – are in for a treat!

Check out the entertainment calendar to plan ahead.

Planning on bringing the kids?

The Family Nook, presented by Mayo Clinic, will feature fun for the kids, including arts and crafts, games, music and more. There will also be a sensory area where children can take a break in a calming environment. Kids can also explore the main event to grab a sweet treat or a gift from a vendor.

Can’t wait for the weekend? Neither can we. That’s why we’ll see you at Thursdays Downtown!

Thursdays Downtown will continue weekly until August 15, except July 4.

Destination Medical Center is contributing to the vibrancy and diversity of Rochester’s downtown by helping attract new dining, retail, and entertainment options everyone can enjoy. Learn more at Destination Medical Center | A Global Destination for Health & Wellness (dmc.mn).

The 2024 Real Estate Development and Investment Summit, a collaboration between Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency (DMC EDA) and ULI Minnesota, promised unprecedented demand and opportunity – and it delivered.

The morning began with an insightful panel highlighting the current and future plans of key stakeholders in Rochester, including Mayo Clinic, the City of Rochester, and University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR). Representatives from Mayo Clinic unveiled their strategic initiative, “Bold. Forward. Unbound. in Rochester,” which aims to revolutionize healthcare through innovative care concepts and digital technologies. Chancellor Lori Carrell of UMR discussed the university’s rapid innovation focus and tailored education solutions.

The City of Rochester, amidst unprecedented levels of public and private investment, nearing $7 billion over the next 7 years, showcased its strategic infrastructure investments and partnerships to support sustainable growth. Deputy City Administrator Cindy Steinhauser outlined the city’s efforts to position itself for transformation while fostering an environment for additional private investment to thrive.

Attendees had the opportunity to explore Rochester’s development opportunities through guided tours:

Link Bus Rapid Transit & West Transit Village: Participants toured the planned 2.9-mile bus route along 2nd Street, learning about development opportunities, including the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) village.

Bold. Forward. Unbound.: This tour showcased the evolving downtown community and Mayo Clinic’s growth, highlighting connections to hospitality, neighborhoods, and public transportation.

Riverfront Small Area Plan: Attendees walked along the Zumbro River to explore Rochester’s community vision captured in the Riverfront Small Area Plan, focusing on potential public and private investment opportunities.

Discovery Square: Dubbed “Healthcare meets Hospitality,” this tour provided insights into the Biomed-tech buildings and the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Discovery Square innovation district.

Housing: Tour groups visited Bryk on Broadway, a mixed-income apartment building, and explored the University of Minnesota’s conversion of the Doubletree Hotel into a student housing complex.

The 2024 Real Estate Development and Investment Summit exemplified Rochester’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth, setting the stage for an exciting future in the heart of Minnesota.

DMC and ULI Minnesota would like to thank our sponsors for their support
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Silver Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bronze Level
Kraus-Anderson Construction
Ryan Companies
Premier Bank

2024 Real Estate Development and Investment Summit Resources

58 years. 

That’s how long Anderson Wheelchair, 1117 Second St SW, has provided mobility to residents and visitors to Med City.

The shop sells, rents, customizes, and services mobility products. Best known for skillful wheelchair customization, their staff works with everything from hospital beds and lifts to walkers and scooters. Though ultimately of a personal, mechanical nature, the work requires coordination with a network of therapists, doctors, insurers, and customers to get a mobility solution just right. 

In the last 15 years, their software has logged over 20,000 people served, but in terms of total people helped during the company’s lifespan:

“It’s almost impossible to put a number on that question,” says Drew Anderson, part-owner of the business with his brother and their father, Jay, who has run the business for the last 30 years.  

“It’s a third-generation, family business,” says Anderson. “Grandpa and Grandma started the business out of their garage 58 years ago. Since then, last 30-plus years, my dad has taken over and run it along with my uncle who helped out. Now my brother and I are the third generation.”

The business has grown alongside the family. In January of 2023, Anderson Wheelchairs started work with architects and contractors on the next-door six-apartment complex they’d acquired. The goal: join the new space to their old one to increase capacity for both product inventory and customization workspace. 

“That allowed us to stock more inventory, which allows us to help more people,” says Anderson. “In a sense, it can be compared to a bike shop; the same bike is not meant for every person. Having more inventory on hand is helpful for us in our community,” says Anderson.

Anderson Wheelchair was awarded $88,548 through DMC’s Main Streets Grants program to help with the remodel of the interior and facade.

“We redid our entire facade. Instead of having two separate facades, there’s now one conjoined, uniform look between the building we’ve operated out of for the last 40 or 50 years to our new building,” says Anderson.

The expansion has allowed them to hire one new employee so far; a search for a maintenance technician and people to work on internal sales and customer service continues. Aside from COVID-19 and its attendant lockdowns and closures of public spaces, Anderson says that’s been the biggest challenge his business has faced since 2020: finding new employees.

“During COVID, the Mayo Clinic basically shutting down was a challenge, as people stopped coming, people stopped going out. So that was a challenge. But everybody knows that wasn’t easy on any business.,” says Anderson. “We are back to normal in terms of just about every aspect of the business.”

The visitor-friendly nature of their shop’s location means they won’t have trouble dealing with an increased customer base, either. 

“Every business that’s located down here does have parking, even a small business like us, we have at least 15 parking spots in the back of our office. Or whether it’s Caribou Coffee or The Canadian Honker… just about every business in the downtown district does have parking,” says Anderson.

It’s hard to imagine a place in Rochester where a dollar’s impact can cause more positive ripples than The Landing, 426 3rd Ave SE.

The organization was founded in 2018 to provide direct support to members of the Rochester community experiencing homelessness and has operated some iteration of a day center since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In November of 2023, The Landing opened its own, independent, privately funded day center. Their center is open daily, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., regardless of weekends, holidays, or weather.

“We figure homelessness doesn’t get a day off, so neither do we,” says Holly Fifield, co-founder of The Landing.

The $200,000 in Main Street grant funding awarded to the organization helped fund part of the renovations necessary to transform the building from pawn shop/auto garage into the clinic/office space/day shelter it is now. That construction, in turn, opened up the doors for new employees.

“Because we were able to open our new data center, we now employ 9 full-time employees and around 12 part-time employees. We have created over 20 jobs,” says Fifield.

That means 20 more people building trust and connection with Rochesterites experiencing homelessness. As trust builds, so does momentum toward stability, which lessens demand on downtown Rochester’s skyways, subways, and leafy oases.

“Coordination is just huge,” says Fifield. “It’s a lot like Mayo Clinic has a multi-specialty, multidisciplinary approach. They bring all the specialties under one roof. Ours is a different application of the same kind of concept; we’re bringing social services and medical care and treatment facilities and peer recovery services and all of those things under one roof so that they’re easily accessible and available to the people that need them.”

The Landing’s central location means barriers to healing stability, like transportation, communication, trust, or distrust, dissipate. The Landing’s day center is a one-stop shop for nutrition, hydration, free laundry, shower facilities, on-site medical care, and social services. It’s a place for members of the community experiencing homelessness to rest, decompress, and recover from the often minute-to-minute stresses of homelessness. The services also allow guests to move toward wellness and stability.

“They’re in a place that they know and trust with people that they know and trust in the services are right here. It’s not, ‘Let me make an appointment for you next Tuesday, somewhere else with somebody you don’t know…’,” says Fifield.

With over 50% of The Landing’s annual budget coming from public donations, the organization feels a constant tide of gratitude toward the Rochester community. Still, according to Fifield, The Landing’s biggest challenge since 2020 has been misunderstandings and misperceptions around the issue of homelessness. She encourages people to come and tour the center, to ask questions, to invite The Landing to speak at group events.

“The downtown in the business district of Rochester is a wonderful resource and area for all the members of our community. And that includes the members of our community experiencing homelessness. They are our friends, our neighbors, our brothers, our sisters, our sons, our daughters. They are members of our community, and they are needing us to link arms with them and hold them up during this very difficult time of their lives,” says Fifield.

Because of its absolute uniqueness, Jack’s Bottle Shop, 909 6th St NW, is an established pillar of the Rochester beer (and by extension social) scene. That same uniqueness means the shop doesn’t often find itself fitting neatly into bullet points on an application.

But, as owner Jack Lester says, “Stars can align sometimes like that.”

Since opening in December 2020, Lester and his staff’s meticulous, aficionado-first approach to craft beer has earned a reputation for the most varied, specific, and downright niche coolers in the city. When they decided to add a wine and spirits wing to their already-expansive emporium, Lester found himself putting in even longer nights on the never-off-the-clock small business owner schedule. Finding an application for the DMC Main Street Grants program felt serendipitous.

“When I saw the grant, while we were in the midst of building [the wine and spirits expansion] out, I was like, ‘Oh my goodness, this is exactly what we’re about to start doing!’ Literally, every single bullet point what the grant was for was what we were just about to do,” says Lester.

The $15,000 in grant funds awarded to Jack’s Bottle Shop allowed it “to become more than a beer store,” says Lester. The funds were used to construct the wine and spirits side of the shop and to hire on a full-time beer buyer position. That buyer position will work daily with brand representatives, research new flavor horizons, and cultivate durably fresh relationships with suppliers.

“One thing that makes Jack’s Bottle Shop very special is how we have the selection that nobody else has in Rochester. Like, Jason just walked back in the door from his Twin Cities trip. He goes up every single Tuesday and picks up almost all about 70% of the beer that we carry from the breweries that we select to bring beer in from,” says Lester. “People ask all the time, like, ‘How are you getting these guys?’ We’re putting in the work to go get it.”

If it sounds like Lester’s motivation for excellence in beer selling comes from somewhere deep, that’s because it does. Lester has shepherded his store with consistent enthusiasm through a pandemic, finicky regulations, and the ever-vexing questions of growth and market. Both the bottle shop and the funds they’ve raised for the transplant house and Children’s Clinic of St. Paul are in memory of Marcus, his son.

“We lost Marcus in 2019 to a fight for a dual lung transplant. Nothing in my life has been challenging since then. That’s honest. Truth.” Lester says.  “We don’t have a lot of struggles. I love what I do. You should love what you do in life. If you’re not happy at work, go be happy somewhere else and work somewhere different. My biggest challenge here has been nothing close to what life can present.”

That attitude has translated into a citywide embrace of the enthusiasm crackling through the coolers and over-the-counter interactions at Jack’s Bottle Shop. Each interaction means the world to Lester and his staff.

“I’m so grateful for everybody that goes out of their way to drive across town to come to Jack’s bottle shop and be greeted by us and shop with us. Every single person that pulls our door makes a difference,” he says.