Meet DMC intern Tam Ta. Tam joins the DMC team from Hanoi, Vietnam. She is a student at Luther College majoring in Data Science with a focus on Economics and a background in Visual Communications. Her plan after graduation is to work in the field of urban design and smart & green city planning. We are happy to have her on the team.
Why did you choose Luther College? I am from the capital city so I have always been interested in studying in a small beautiful town to not have to deal with a lot of distractions. I am also attracted to Luther because of its sustainability commitment to go carbon neutral, being at a green-driven campus is important since it aligns with my values. Luther’s class size and close connection to professors are a plus for me since I can easily reach out to my instructors.
Why did you choose an internship at DMC? Growing up in a developing urban area where urban sprawls and transportation are major issues in the city, I have always been interested in how the city functions with regard to its economics, environment, and residences. I have the chance to learn more about sustainability projects, what they entail and how I can bring my own perspective and contributions to better the city.
What are your duties at DMC? One of the projects I am working on now is tracking investment for buildings in Rochester, understanding and keeping track of this information so as to inform future decisions on investment.
What is a unique fact about yourself? In my free time, I enjoy watching videos from the Youtube channel “OBF”, which talks about the design of various countries and how they are different and efficient in comparison to others. I find this very informative and entertaining at the same time since it captures the intersection of my interests which are sustainability, design, and economics.
The final Downtown Rochester Task Force work session will be held Tuesday, March 14 from 10 – 11 a.m. This will be in an online format only. Registration is required for this session. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on joining the meeting. This session will follow the same format as the in-person work sessions. Register for the work session here.
The Downtown Rochester Task Force invites the community and downtown businesses to participate and share specific challenges they are experiencing related to downtown. Together, attendees will identify both priority concerns and solutions. Once key priorities are identified, an action plan will be created to address each concern.
First Downtown Rochester Work Session at Fagan Studios/Studio 324.
“The pandemic was a disrupter to many aspects of our national, state, and local economies. How and where people work, shop, and participate in activities has changed,” states Kim Norton, mayor of the City of Rochester. “While downtown Rochester has and will change, there are several opportunities in how we can strengthen and become a more resilient downtown. And we must do this work together.”
Patrick Seeb, executive director of Destination Medical Center, shares, “Everyone has a stake in a healthy downtown. Now is the time to be intentional about the steps we take to help accelerate recovery. We will build on existing strengths while focusing on the future.”
The Downtown Rochester Task Force includes members from the City of Rochester, Destination Medical Center, Experience Rochester, Mayo Clinic, Rochester Area Economic Development Agency, Inc., Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, and Rochester Downtown Alliance.
An accelerated model in creating an action plan, which will allow participants to identify concerns and work on solutions quickly. The goal is to present an action plan by May 2023 to guide the Downtown Rochester Task Force moving forward. Register for the work session here.
A 19-foot LED screen in Peace Plaza will broadcast eight games of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ from December 9 to December 18.
In collaboration with Destination Medical Center and Mayo Clinic, the Rochester Downtown Alliance will host a World Cup Viewing Party and broadcast the following games in Peace Plaza:
Because the World Cup Viewing Party is outdoors in winter, the RDA encourages people attending the free event to come dressed for the weather and to bring their own chairs to enjoy the games. Between games, attendees are encouraged to visit downtown’s shops, restaurants, and service businesses.
Parking is free within the first hour and on weekends in downtown ramps.
DMC’s November Sustainability Series: Sketchbox – Simplified and Free Energy Modeling Tool
What: Destination Medical Center (DMC) Monthly Sustainability Series
When: Wednesday, November 16, 2022, 12-1 p.m.
Where: Viewable by webinar only. Join the presentation here.
Details: Join us for an interactive presentation by Slipstream, a mission-driven nonprofit organization, that recently launched a free version of its simplified energy modeling tool—Sketchbox.
If you’re not familiar with energy modeling, it is a software-based tool that architects, engineers and building operators use to make accurate energy-saving decisions on new and existing buildings. A user creates the initial building using an energy code baseline and then re-simulates the building using various energy conservation measures. Sketchbox can also be used to identify energy savings for existing buildings and retrofits.
OUR PRESENTER Ben Heymer
Slipstream—Director of Engineering, Chicago Ben leads a team of energy engineers focused on decarbonizing the built environment. He is an experienced engineering consultant, designer, researcher, and energy modeler. He leads technical assistance and program design for energy efficiency programs and builds tools to help owners and designers focus on high-impact solutions.
About the DMC Sustainability Series
The DMC Sustainability Series is a monthly seminar sponsored by Destination Medical Center and the City of Rochester. The purpose is to introduce sustainability concepts and best practices for everyone to consider. The series is held virtually the third Wednesday of every month at noon.
The City of Rochester and Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency are holding two in-person “Meet the Station Artists” events on Wednesday, November 2 and Thursday, November 3. The in-person events will provide basic information on Link Rapid Transit and will introduce the community to plans for integrating public art into the transit stations. The six artists will highlight their respective conceptual designs based on input collected during previously held community stakeholder sessions.
The events will be an opportunity for members of the community to ask questions of the project staff and artists, as well as share their concerns and aspirations for their neighborhood and for how the art will be represented in transit.
The two events are:
Meet the Station Artists – Open House #1 Wednesday, November 2, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
Riverside Central Elementary School, inside the cafeteria
506 5th Ave. SE, Rochester, MN
Poster boards with project details and artists’ conceptual designs will be available.
Light refreshments will be provided. Parking is available.
Meet the Station Artists – Open House #2 Thursday, November 3, 11 am-1 pm
Café Aquí
1811 2nd St SW Suite B, Rochester, MN 55902
Poster boards with project details and artists’ conceptual designs will be available.
Light refreshments will be provided. Parking is available.
Link Rapid Transit is a generational investment in Rochester’s public transit infrastructure, which promises to deliver an entirely new level of service and rider experience to the Rochester Community. The 2.6-mile bus rapid transit (BRT) line will provide high-capacity transit along 2nd Street and 3rd Avenue SE, and is expected to begin service in 2026.
With the newly unveiled mural Sol Flowers by local artist Jenna Whiting on display, the Rochester community gathered in a most unlikely spot for Destination Medical Center’s 2022 Annual Meeting. At the corner of 1st Avenue and 1st Street Southeast, guests enjoyed music from local duo True North, food from The Duck Truck and Infuzn, and a perfect southeast Minnesota evening. DMC partner organizations lined the tunnel next to the railroad tracks, showcasing the myriad ideas and activities that make downtown Rochester a vibrant, welcoming environment.
The location may have seemed unusual at first – located next to three parking ramps and an undeveloped city block – but, as DMC Executive Director Patrick Seeb described, it’s at the nexus of several potential development sites, as well as a future extension of the Heart of the City, connecting Peace Plaza with the Mayo Civic Center and the Zumbro River. “That is the conversation we want to begin tonight is thinking about the future of this site, thinking about the public realm potential of 1st Street connecting the downtown to Mayo Civic Center,” said Seeb.
Reasons for Optimism
DMC EDA President Dr. Clark Otley spoke about the continued optimism for the future of DMC and Rochester. He pointed to the continued expansion of the Mayo Clinic Downtown campus with the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Building and Proton Beam facility expansion, as well as the completion of Two Discovery Square as reasons for enthusiasm. “When we think of facilities, we think about building world-class facilities for world-class doctors and researchers and nurses and technicians for patients from across the world who have the toughest diseases in the world,” stated Otley.
Dr. Otley shined a spotlight on another significant project. “Earlier this year, we opened up the Peace Plaza to a renewed, beautiful state,” he noted. “Those of you that made it down through the summer saw little kids stomping in water, families having fun… It’s a really beautiful space.” He also prefaced the excitement of Discovery Walk construction as it will connect Peace Plaza to Soldiers Field Memorial Park.
The Riverfront presents another area for optimism. “It’s going to be an opportunity to be a legacy for our community,” he continued. “DMC has been a very good partner with the City, the County, and lots of other agencies, to do a community discovery process to really get input. What does that mean for us? What can we make that space into really speaks to our vision as a community? A community that is focused on health and equity and diversity and sustainability moving forward.”
Capacity Building
Mayor Kim Norton spoke about the importance of ensuring all members of our community participate in the prosperity of the DMC initiative. “Not only are we designing and building the infrastructure necessary for Rochester’s successful growth,” Mayor Norton said, “we are also designing and building the systems necessary to ensure that how we build is just as important as what we build.”
Mayor Norton spoke about the goals that the City of Rochester and DMC share to make sure that women and minorities have opportunities to participate in publicly funded projects. She also spoke about the community co-design process which is an approach to encourage, compensate, and prioritize the inclusion of diverse populations throughout the design and development process. Community Co-Design has become a valued and effective community-centric approach to developing healthy and equitable projects, policies, and practices in the Rochester region. It has been used for projects like Discovery Walk, LINK Bus Rapid Transit, and Riverfront Small Area Plan development. Norton stated, “We use co-design to ensure that there would be inclusive, accessible, and welcoming spaces that encourage health and cultural belonging.”
Attention was also brought to collaborations with the local business community including the Business Forward strategy that has been employed on several recent construction projects like Heart of the City Phase I and Discovery Walk. Business Forward is meant to mitigate the impact of construction by prioritizing the needs of businesses and other stakeholders in the construction process.
The Main Street Economic Revitalization Grant Program was also highlighted. It is a partnership with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development designed to help our downtown businesses recover from the pandemic, as well as elevate opportunities for BIPOC, veteran, and disabled business and property owners. “To date, 30 organizations have been recommended for funding totaling over $1.6 million,” announced Mayor Norton. “These funds will help to leverage over $48 million in private investment into Rochester’s downtown. Our local businesses are the lifeblood of our community. We are eager to support them in whatever ways we can.”
Vision for the Future
DMC Corporation Chair Pam Wheelock pointed to the “persistence, resilience and spirit that is woven into the very fabric of this community” for an optimistic view of the future. She called attention to the way Rochester’s business community responded to the pandemic by pivoting to find new ways to safely reach their customers and to those that caught the entrepreneurial spirit and brought their ideas to life.
“The persistence, resilience, and community spirit already in evidence in Rochester bodes well for achieving Destination Medical Center’s vision of making Rochester America’s City for Health,” said Wheelock. “We are already attracting new investment from outside the area, including new commercial development and new life science and technology companies.”
She referenced the significant infrastructure improvements in the past and on the horizon, as well as a continued focus on community engagement as reasons why Rochester has a bright future. She also stressed the importance of telling Rochester’s story to the world as not only a destination for the world’s best medical care but also a great place to live, work and raise a family.
“On behalf of the Destination Medical Center Corporation’s board of directors, I want to express profound thanks and gratitude for the myriad partnerships and collaborations that have enabled the progress we have seen through DMC’s first years,” Wheelock avowed. “I firmly believe that what we have accomplished together so far grants us the right to think very boldly and optimistically about Rochester’s future and to fulfill our ambition to be America’s City for Health.”
Final Surprise
Patrick Seeb again took the stage to introduce the evening’s final speaker, one that was not on the agenda when the Annual Meeting was being planned. As part of the “leave behind” to continue bringing attention to the meeting space, a mural was painted on the blank wall of the Civic Center Ramp. There were many amazing artists that submitted ideas but none of them were better than Jenna Whiting. “I would like to give the last words to Jenna Whiting to describe this piece of art that will now be permanently part of our community,” said Seeb. “Perhaps it will be an inspiration for how we can use other blank walls in our community, to start enlivening and connecting.”
Jenna Whiting was born and raised in Rochester, MN. As a self-taught artist, she specializes in mural work, digital design, children’s book illustrations, and acrylic painting. Her designs reflect a sense of whimsy and childlike wonder but are also balanced with simplistic and sophisticated methods.
Here is Jenna Whiting’s description of her piece in her own words. “My inspiration for Sol Flowers literally came out of thin air. As I was reaching for my drawing tools to sketch out some ideas, three sun prints I had recently created fell to my feet in a perfect layout. I’m pretty sure a beacon of light was shining somewhere. I immediately imagined the facade of this building covered in botanical images on a vivid cyan background. The images are inspired by native grasses and flowers growing throughout our city – which are just as captivating to see on the ground as they are five stories up.”
A perfect end to a perfect southeast Minnesota evening.
Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency and the City of Rochester celebrated the culmination of over two years of work with the publication of the Community Co-Design Toolkit. It is a booklet of tools and tactics for “equitable community engagement and action”.
“This is a celebration of an approach that has been used to help create new places and programs, answer particularly difficult questions, and open up opportunities for many community members to participate in public decision-making processes,” said DMC Executive Director Patrick Seeb.
Ten local community co-design pilots have been completed over the last two years to help guide local projects. One of those pilots led to Rochester winning a $1 million grant as a 2021 Global Mayor’s Challenge Champion City. This project created a set of programs to address the challenges encountered by workplaces and members of the BIPOC community in the construction industry. It combined the experiences of industry, educators, and the experiences of BIPOC women to develop ideas to increase the chance of successful and meaningful employment.
Mayor Kim Norton added, “One of the reasons we were selected for this award was the use of the co-design process and forming solutions in collaboration with the community to increase their likelihood of success.”
Other co-design pilots include:
Discovery Walk
Channel One Food Bank
Greater Rochester Advocates for Universities & Colleges (GRAUC) Healthcare Simulation Center
6th Street Bridge
Riverfront Reimagined
Link BRT Station Design
Senior Housing (with Rochester Area Foundation)
BIPOC Home Ownership (with Rochester Area Foundation)
Rochester Public Schools Students Belonging
What is Community Co-Design
Community Co-Design is an approach to encourage, compensate, and prioritize the inclusion of diverse populations throughout the design and development process. Community Co-Design has become a valued and effective community-centric approach to developing healthy and equitable projects, policies, and practices in the Rochester region.
This process was developed as an alternative to traditional engagement practices that limited participation and focused on short-term relationships. Co-design seeks to focus on challenges and the people impacted by them by prioritizing lived experiences and investing in long-term relationships, trust building, and networking.
The Community Co-Design Toolkit was authored by Jess Roberts (Culture of Health, LLC & University of Minnesota), Kevin Bright (DMC EDA & City of Rochester), and Wafa Elkhalifa (DMC EDA).
For more Co-Design information and resources, please contact DMC Equitable Development Coordinator Wafa Elkhalifa.
Destination Medical Center, City of Rochester, Knutson Construction, and Rochester Mom invite community families to The Big Dig; a hands-on, family-friendly event to learn about the Discovery Walk project in downtown Rochester.
Kids will get a chance to play and dig in a giant pile of sand, explore construction equipment, and meet construction workers. Get to know the businesses in the construction zone and have some fun with activities such as a giant chalk mural, bubbles, music from the D’Sievers, and more.
This family-friendly event provides an opportunity to get up close with Discovery Walk and the people that are a part of the project. Discovery Walk, currently under construction, will be a new linear parkway along 2nd Avenue SW in downtown Rochester that will connect Soldiers Field Park to downtown Rochester and is set to be completed in late 2023.
“The Big Dig is an exciting opportunity for our community to have some hands-on fun while learning more about Discovery Walk,” says Jamie Rothe, Destination Medical Center’s Director of Community Engagement. “Our project team and the area businesses have a fun morning planned for all ages.”
The Big Dig is free and open to the public. Parking is also free and available in various places: the 3rd Street SW Parking ramp, street parking along 1st Avenue SW, and 4th Street SW.
Need help with your application for the Main Street Grant? Not sure if you qualify? Our navigators are dedicated professionals with the knowledge to assist you.
The SBDC offers at no cost, confidential consulting to help businesses in SE Minnesota identify, understand and overcome the challenges of starting a business, running a successful business, and developing exit strategies. We provide the professional expertise and guidance that every small business owner needs to flourish in today’s competitive and ever-changing business world. We do not lend money to small businesses, however we work with the business owners and financial institutions to prepare documentation that lenders require for business loans.
SBDC’s mission is to represent the collective interest of our members by promoting, informing, supporting and continuously improving the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network, which delivers nationwide educational assistance to strengthen small/medium business management, thereby contributing to the growth of local, state and national economies.
Elocina Tawonda Burks Address: 1903 S Broadway, Rochester, MN 55904 Phone: 507-206-6344 Email:[email protected] Website: elocina.com Hours of operation: M-F 9:00 am – 7:00 pm SAT – Appointment only SUN – CLOSED
We offer small business start-up consulting services that enable entrepreneurs to work with our business experts as we build key foundational business structures or products for you. This strengthens your business from the start and less assumptions are made for your business. At ELOCINA, we have the knowledge required for the specific task and we’re ready to help you start your small business.
Whether you are looking for consulting services to help you start, allowing us to create a powerful business or strategic plan, or seeking our assistance in helping you build your personal or business credit, we are here to assist you along the way.
At DelaLight Consulting LLC, we collaborate with you through your entrepreneurial journey to build a sustainable business. We collaborate with you to make sure that your goals and objectives are met with strategic and innovative approach. We provide a comprehensive range of business solutions that are efficient. From finance to business our collaborative approach can transform your business and its operations. We are ready to partner with you to help ensure your success.
Collider activates, connects, and empowers Rochester’s early-stage entrepreneurs and small businesses with 1:1 ecosystem navigation, education, space, and storytelling to help foster an inclusive, diverse, and healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem. We believe that entrepreneurship should be accessible to EVERYONE in Rochester.
We believe there should be zero barriers to entrepreneurship for everyone in Rochester with a great idea and a passion to see it grow.
The City of Rochester and Destination Medical Center accepted an award of $3.12 million from the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED) on October 14, 2021, as a part of their recently created Main Street Economic Revitalization Program. The grant dollars will be used to help central business districts rebuild and reposition themselves in the face of a substantially changing downtown economy. Rochester was one of eight communities receiving funding, with a total investment of approximately $40 million being invested across the state.
We at DMC have received many questions about the grant. Here is a list of Frequently Asked Questions about the Main Street Grant Program.
What is the Main Street Economic Revitalization Grant Program?
This is a state-funded initiative intended to provide no-cost grants for capital improvement projects in central business districts across the state.
Projects that result in improvements to any permanent structure or other asset added to a property that adds to its value are eligible. Business operational expenses are not eligible. Applicants must also have other sources of funding to “match” any funds given by this program, details are below.
Who may apply for funding?
Any person or company planning to invest in eligible capital projects in the DMC development district (map below) may apply. Priority will be given to businesses and organizations that represent veteran, disabled, Black, Indigenous, or people of color whose projects will build wealth, create jobs, and stabilize communities along the corridors.
What investments may be funded by the grant?
Capital investments, such as:
− Repair or renovation of real property, including expansions and additions
− Demolition, site preparation, and building construction
− Landscaping, streetscaping and related site amenities
− Engineering, pre-design and design work
− Infrastructure
What are the primary objectives?
– Revitalizing properties in the DMC district harmed by the events of the past two years.
– Elevating opportunities for BIPOC, veteran, Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), or disabled business and property owners.
– Creating and retaining permanent jobs.
– Enabling existing businesses to strengthen and diversify their products and services.
Are funds available for projects already completed? No, these funds are only available for new projects as described in your application.
What if I have already started the project?
The funds can’t be used for work already in progress. However, the funds can be used for work that has not yet been started. The work yet-to-be-done would need to be described in your application.
What investments may NOT be funded by the grant?
The purchase of real estate is not eligible, nor are business operations or business operating expenses, such as inventory, wages, or working capital.
How much is the DMC EDA’s grant award?
The DMC EDA will be distributing up to $3 million in grants with a maximum of $750,000 per award. These grant awards can cover up to 30% of the project cost. The remaining funds must come from other sources. For example: a. A $100,000 capital project can be awarded up to $30,000 in Main Street Grant funds. The remaining balance must be funded through other sources.
What can be used for the matching funds?
Loans, equity, and local government funding not derived from state or federal sources can be used for the match.
When can interested applicants apply for funding?
The DMC EDA intends to begin accepting applications no later than May 2022. DEED requires all funds to be awarded no later than Dec 31, 2024, and the projects must be completed by Dec 31, 2026. If you have a project that might qualify, we encourage you to contact [email protected] to set up a call for more information.
What is the application process?
DEED has designated the DMC EDA to develop a customized application process for projects in Rochester. The DMC EDA is engaging local stakeholders, and will utilize a community co-design team, to develop an accessible application and review process. The details of this application process will be forthcoming as the design of the application gets developed.
What details will be finalized in the coming weeks and months? A) Identifying community co-designers that will help the DMC EDA:
Build the application and review process
Engage outreach and communication partners
Identify resources that DMC EDA can make available to applicants
B) Building and publishing a webpage
C) Begin reviewing applications
D) Issuing grant awards
Who is providing the grant funding?
Funding is provided by the State of Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (MN DEED).
Why did the State of Minnesota initiate this program?
The grant program is intended to help central business districts physically rebuild and reposition themselves in the face of a substantially changing downtown economy.
Who is administering the grant program in Rochester?
The Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency (DMC EDA), a private non-profit corporation located in downtown Rochester, MN. The DMC EDA applied for and secured the grant award with the support of the City of Rochester.
Eligible projects must be within the DMC District boundaries (map above).
Meeting. At the corner of 1st Avenue and 1st Street Southeast, guests enjoyed music from local duo True North, food from The Duck Truck and Infuzn, and a perfect southeast Minnesota evening. DMC partner organizations lined the tunnel next to the railroad tracks, showcasing the myriad ideas and activities that make downtown Rochester a vibrant, welcoming environment.
ere better than Jenna Whiting. “I would like to give the last words to Jenna Whiting to describe this piece of art that will now be permanently part of our community,” said Seeb. “Perhaps it will be an inspiration for how we can use other blank walls in our community, to start enlivening and connecting.”
become a valued and effective community-centric approach to developing healthy and equitable projects, policies, and practices in the Rochester region.
