ROCHESTER, Minn. (June 23, 2016) – At today’s board meeting, the Destination Medical Center (DMC) Corporation Board of Directors discussed Mayo Clinic’s recent announcement of a major milestone for DMC’s Discovery Square; highlights from this year’s BIO International Convention; DMC urban design guidelines; and updates on DMC priorities, including Heart of the City and transportation.
“Mayo Clinic’s investment in Discovery Square is an exciting step for the City of Rochester. Discovery Square will propel the development of innovative ideas, products, and businesses in southeast Minnesota,” said Lt. Governor Tina Smith, DMC Corporation Board Chair. “We are well-positioned to make Rochester ‘America’s City for Health’ and the world’s premier destination for health and wellness.”
Discovery Square
During the BIO International Convention earlier this month, Mayo Clinic announced its plan for DMC’s Discovery Square sub-district, an urban research campus where doctors, researchers and scientists will come together to accelerate new advancements in medical research, technology and patient care. Mayo Clinic is working to identify a strategic real estate partner to expand its campus by building out more than 2 million square feet of research, commercial and product development space in Discovery Square. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2017, and the first of several Discovery Square buildings is anticipated to be completed within two years.
“Discovery Square is one of DMC’s top priorities,” said Lisa Clarke, executive director of the DMC Economic Development Agency (DMC EDA). “With its close physical linkage to Mayo Clinic, Discovery Square will provide an authentic urban experience that supports a unique environment for community amenities, collaborative culture and an innovative ecosystem.”
BIO International Convention
DMC EDA shared with the Board its objectives and outcomes from the BIO International Convention, including broadening visibility and building knowledge for DMC, Discovery Square and Minnesota’s life science leadership. DMC EDA participated in one-on-one meetings, small group sessions and other networking opportunities with businesses that may be interested in relocating to Rochester. Approximately 16,000 industry leaders attended the convention and over 5,000 companies were represented.
DMC Design Guidelines
The City of Rochester and DMC EDA presented on the DMC Design Guidelines to achieve the goal of transforming Rochester into “America’s City for Health” where local infrastructure encourages healthy lifestyles. These urban design guidelines were developed by the University of Minnesota Metropolitan Design Center and will assist developers and architects to better understand the expectations the City of Rochester has for DMC project and public realm design. There will be several public presentations of the DMC Design Guidelines
Transportation and Infrastructure Updates
The DMC Corporation Board heard a progress report from SRF Consulting Group, Inc. summarizing transportation and infrastructure management accomplishments for May 2016, including the completion of agency interviews for a Women and Minority Business Enterprise program.
During May’s Board meeting, the City of Rochester and SRF Consulting Group, Inc. announced that consultant firms were selected to conduct four transit planning studies for future improvements to the DMC District: Downtown Transit Circulator & Operations Study, Downtown Street Use & Operations Study, Parking & Travel Demand Management Study, and City Loop Study.
DMC EDA informed the Board that it is actively working with the City of Rochester and SRF Consulting Group, Inc. to ensure that the underlying research and findings of the DMC Plan are used as the basis of the four current studies.
Sub-District Developments
DMC EDA updated the Board on the process to design the public space for the Heart of the City sub-district. Six qualified firms were selected to submit proposals due on July 15, 2016.
DMC EDA has been working with the City of Rochester, property owners, Mayo Clinic, and volunteer leadership from the three nearby neighborhood organizations to develop a 90-day process to design the public realm/public infrastructure for the entire St. Marys Place sub-district. DMC EDA is working with the University of Minnesota Metropolitan Design Center to develop and lead the Design Sprint phase of this process.
Other
In other business, the DMC Corporation Board received financial statements and audit results for the year ended December 31, 2015.
The next regularly scheduled DMC Corporation Board meeting is set for Thursday, August 25, 2016, at 9:30 a.m.