Tag: heart of the city

The historic Chateau Theatre: What was and what could be

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Photos by Julie Sawyer

Community input is and will always be core to the efforts of DMC. This past winter, DMC utilized the vacant Chateau Theatre space for a unique luncheon event during which attendees were invited to share both their memories of the Chateau Theatre and ideas for future use of the space.

They recalled many memories from the Chateau’s days gone by. The theater’s unique décor was the perfect setting to catch up with a friend or enjoy a leisurely cup of joe. Grandparents, parents, and grown children alike read books together in the “castle” and sat on Santa’s lap. Rochester’s own Mayor Ardell Brede took his now-wife of 54 years on their first date to a movie at the theater.

DMC seeks volunteers for Heart of the City Public Space Design Community Advisory Committee

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The Destination Medical Center (DMC) development plan identifies six sub-districts, each of which is anchored by a dramatically new or enhanced public space. The sub-district called Heart of the City lies at the intersection of Rochester’s medical environment and the hospitality/entertainment district. At the “heart” of Heart of the City is the Peace Plaza, home to many of the community’s most popular public events.Heart-of-the-City-Patient-Exp

A public skating rink, stunning light and glass features, and attractive portals to other districts are among the concepts used to illustrate the future of the public spaces in Heart of the City.

Encouraged by community support for these ideas, the board of Destination Medical Center Corporation (DMCC) and the City of Rochester are working together to identify a design team to lead the public space design process. With anticipation for a completed design in 2016 and a phased implementation in 2017, a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is being established to aid in the Heart of the City public space design.

KIMT: Mayor: DMC project takes big step forward

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The Destination Medical Center continues to move forward, and on Thursday, Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede said it might have taken a big step.

DMC, which is backed by Mayo Clinic and the state of Minnesota, is expected to transform areas of Rochester and add up to 40,000 jobs over the next two decades.

One of the sections expected to be worked on is called “The Heart of the City” which is located near Peace Plaza.

Mayor Brede says the city is putting together an advisory committee made up of nine to 12 people to help guide the project. Their job will include getting proposals from companies and possibly making suggestions to the City Council.

Brede says it’s time to start acting on DMC.

DMC’s Heart of the City seeks volunteers for Public Space Design Community Advisory Committee

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ROCHESTER, Minn. – A Community Advisory Committee (CAC) for the Heart of the City public space design is being formed In collaboration with the City of Rochester and the Destination Medical Center Corporation (DMCC). This volunteer committee will assist with the planning and design for the public spaces of the Heart of the City, a sub-district of the Destination Medical Center (DMC) Development Plan at the intersection of First Street SW and First Avenue SW.

“Heart of the City will create a true center for Rochester, a cross-roads where Mayo Clinic, commercial, hospitality, retail and residential meet,” Said Mayor Ardele Brede, who will co-chair the Community Advisory Committee and DMC Corporation Board Member R.T. Rybak.

The nine- to 12-member committee will consist of business and property owners, civic leaders, citizen at-large members, partner organizations, design experts, a City Council representative and a Chateau Theatre Task Force representative.

Post Bulletin: Public spaces take stage in DMC spotlight

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Public spaces are as integral to Destination Medical Center plans as the private development that will surround them, and the Rochester City Council is nearly ready to take a step ahead in designing those spaces.

The council at a Monday committee of the whole meeting discussed plans to advertise for public space design services, for the DMC subdistrict Heart of the City. The city would coordinate with the DMC Corp. Board to issue a request for proposals, said Gary Neumann, assistant city administrator.

MPR News: City of Rochester buys historic theater with help from Mayo

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20150316_chateau-theater_33The city of Rochester has closed on the $6 million purchase of the historic Chateau Theatre.

The theater purchase is considered a Destination Medical Center project, which allows the expense to count toward the city’s $128 million contribution for public infrastructure costs. The Mayo Clinic paid $500,000 of the deal.

Rochester City Council President Randy Staver said it’s still unclear what the building’s long-term use and financial model will be.

Live Blog | 2016: “Our Year of Building Momentum”

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Heart of the City, seen above, represents the heart of downtown. This district creates a true center of Rochester, a crossroads where Mayo Clinic, commercial, retail, and residential meet.

DMC Corporation Board member and Mayo Clinic Trustee Bill George called 2016 “our year of building momentum.”

As he has done at several previous DMC Corporation Board meetings, George continued to emphasize a strong focus on the Heart of the City sub-district.

“All the citizens, all the visitors to Rochster need to see improvements,” George said. “It’s incumbent upon us to get that moving quickly.”

George also suggested the DMC Economic Development Agency begin detailing plans for development of Heart of the City.

“We need to back this and get it moving,” George said. “We need to have specific milestones by which we can measure progress.”