The downtown landscape of Rochester is ever-changing, and come this September you will see many more creations.
The Rochester Downtown Alliance, along with Destination Medical Center and the Rochester Art Center are putting together what’s called PlaceMakers Prototyping Festival. This year’s theme is health and building the environment.
The idea of this fest is to have creative people come up with ideas to fill physical space. This could be as simple as creating something unique on a cement arch that hangs over a parking garage and restaurant. The possibilities are endless and the festival will take place this September downtown.
Tag: In the News
Star Tribune: Giant apartment, retail complex is planned in Rochester’s medical district
Two developers are teaming up to bring some Twin Cities flavor to Rochester’s apartment scene.
Minneapolis-based Alatus LLC is partnering with the Pompeian family, longtime real estate developers in Rochester, on a proposed 13-story apartment tower that would visually change the main entrance from Hwy.
52 into the city’s downtown and Mayo Clinic complex.
The $100-million plan is unique for Rochester in both size and style, introducing a luxury class of apartments that have become common in bigger cities, including the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, in recent years.
Post Bulletin: Firm selected to lead Chateau re-use
A consulting firm’s commitment to public engagement was the difference maker Tuesday as the city of Rochester’s Chateau Theatre Re-Use Task Force decided between the final two firms to lead the restoration and re-use project at the downtown theater.
“Community involvement doesn’t have to be ‘open the doors and see who shows up,'” said John Mecum, a principal at Minneapolis-based Miller Dunwiddie Architecture.
The public engagement process for re-use of the Chateau Theatre could involve public events, performances and focused meetings with performing arts organizations, said Denita Lemmon, an associate principal at Miller Dunwiddie.
StarTribune: Med-tech partnership promotes Minnesota as a place to do business
Rochester’s med-tech business community is getting a national boost.
Earlier this week, Greater MSP – an economic development agency in the Twin Cities – announced the Minnesota Medical Manufacturing Partnership, giving medical manufacturers working in Rochester and in Minnesota access to federal agencies that coordinate $1 billion in economic development assistance.
Rochester is in one of 24 regions selected by the federal government as part of a nationwide effort to reignite manufacturing.
Destination Medical Center Executive Director Lisa Clarke said the partnership will help transform Rochester’s med-tech community in the Discovery Square Subdistrict and our region.
KSMQ TV: R-Town / Big Question – Patrick Seeb, DMC
$1.8 billion in infrastructure planned with DMC
In the next two decades, Rochester leaders will face the largest public infrastructure decisions in the city’s history. In tandem with the Destination Medical Center initiative, about $1.8 billion in infrastructure projects are on the city’s near horizon.
Of the estimated $1.8 billion in infrastructure identified in the DMC Development Plan, about $720 million is targeted to create 16,000 new structure parking spaces; $348 million is envisioned to create a downtown transit circulator; and $112 million is planned for other transit, streets and city loop improvements, according to city documents.
KROC: Rochester Launches FIRST Ever Hospitality Accreditation Program
Rochester is taking “Minnesota Nice” to a whole new level to enhance visitor’s stay in our city.
The Rochester Convention & Visitors Bureau, Mayo Clinic, and Destination Medical Center have partnered to develop the Experience Accreditation program focused on hotels, restaurants, retail, and transportation companies, according to a press release from RCVB.
Companies can apply for accreditation on the RCVB website here.Businesses that are already accredited are: Scheels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Hers and Twigs, but according to the press release, several additional hospitality businesses have submitted applications.
“This program will promote high service standards and unmatched hospitality in our city. It is a valuable step forward in making Rochester an even better destination for patients and visitors with positive benefits for Rochester residents,” Brad Jones, executive director of the Rochester Convention and Visitors Bureau.
KAAL TV: “Heart of the City” Community Advisory Members Named
Medical Alley: Destination Medical Center: The Why, The How
The Destination Medical Center (DMC) investment in the Rochester community is more $6B; most of that privately funded. It is a 20-year initiative that will redesign the city creating a spillover benefit to the state of Minnesota as a whole. Rochester is home to the famed Mayo Clinic and a growing startup health technology community. The DMC will accelerate and complement what is already happening in Rochester, and will help Minnesota retain its place as the great state of everything healthcare.
The project is much more than a city planning and economic development effort as attendees at the first Board of Directors Senior Executive Briefing learned on February 17th at our Medical Alley Association (MAA) headquarters. Lisa Clarke, Executive Director of the DMC and Patrick Seeb, the head of economic development, delivered a briefing to approximately 40 guests of the MAA board, laying out the details of the enormous DMC effort, providing the why and the how.
Post Bulletin: Our View: Change requires defined expectations
After waiting a few minutes to speak during a downtown press conference on transportation this week, Rochester City Council Member Michael Wojcik glanced over his shoulder and referenced the possibility that new buildings may have popped up during his wait.
The joke featuring unrealistic expectations in the midst of Destination Medical Center efforts draws attention to blossoming realities: Developers are looking for local opportunities, and growth is coming.
In the wake of St. Cloud-based developer Larry Brutger’s decision to back off plans to erect a new Holiday Inn across from Mayo Clinic’s Saint Marys Hospital, a related reality is being brought to light — development takes time, and everything doesn’t always go as planned.