Tag: Infrastructure

Local investments pay off as state funds for infrastructure arrive

General

This past spring, DMC reached a major milestone when the private investment threshold required to release state dollars for public infrastructure improvements was not only met but surpassed.

The unique economic development model set forth by the legislature in 2013 required that $200 million in private investments be committed to the DMC initiative before state funds could be released, and multiple projects of varying dollar amounts contributed to the threshold being exceeded by nearly $97 million. The Department of Employment and Economic Development certified the investment dollars so the state money could be released and used for local infrastructure improvements. With that certification now complete, the first of the state DMC funds are now available.

Ramping up Rochester’s innovation capacity

General

A diverse business landscape is critical to Rochester becoming a true Destination Medical Center. It will take more than excellence in patient care for the DMC vision to succeed. Susan Windham-Bannister knows this well.

Windham-Bannister is a life sciences industry expert and president and CEO of Biomedical Growth Strategies. She has spent years working in areas like New York, Boston, and Maryland to help communities create environments that are enticing to startups and established businesses alike.

Windham-Bannister joined more than 35 stakeholders from across the state to share her experiences and provide insight on how our own community should go about setting priorities to ensure DMC’s success.

Press Release: DMCC board approves $38M residential and retail project

Press Releases

Board also reviews Mortenson roadmap for Discovery Square Project

ROCHESTER, Minn. (Feb. 8, 2017) – Highlighting the growing momentum of the Destination Medical Center initiative, the DMCC Board of Directors today approved a $38 million mixed-used development project. The development would bring 156 market-rate apartments, retail shopping, public parking and pedestrian access to downtown Rochester. 

“The Destination Medical Center and Rochester continue to attract private investment and innovation, as our actions at this Board meeting demonstrate,” said Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, chair of the DMCC Board. “The momentum with Discovery Square, which will be a nation-leading center for life science innovation, is especially encouraging.  We need to keep this momentum going and continue working with Rochester, Mayo Clinic, and the private sector to expand jobs and opportunity in America’s City for Health, and all of Minnesota.”

DMC seeks community input in next steps for St. Marys Place and 2nd Street

General

The DMC sub-district known as St. Marys Place has received a great deal of attention of late. With several new development projects under consideration or in the works, DMC needs your help.

Several months ago, in collaboration with the City of Rochester and a team of stakeholders, DMC began a design process for the public realm and infrastructure for the area and the 2nd Street Corridor.

Contextual map of area
Contextual map of area

The process began by assembling and analyzing existing and new data. This served as the foundation for a recent “Design Sprint,” which involved three teams of stakeholders who were asked to explore and develop concepts to address design issues, such as transportation, parking, commercial districts, and neighborhood connections. Each team took on a different point of view for design considerations. One group took on the perspective of patients, visitors, and St. Marys employees; another, adjacent business and property owners; and the third, nearby neighborhoods.

Transportation studies: Advancing the DMC vision

General

20160920_154409Four transportation consulting groups gathered in Rochester this week to observe traffic conditions and transit operations on a typical weekday and, ultimately, advance the DMC vision through first-hand knowledge of existing capabilities and future needs.

The DMC Plan identifies the need to create an integrated system of parking and transit options to better facilitate pedestrian and bicycle options and create efficient, healthy, high-amenity options that can accommodate a doubling of downtown jobs. “Infrastructure is the backbone of our DMC planning, with transportation being a critical component,” says Lisa Clarke, DMC EDA executive director. A world-class transportation network would not only improve livability for Rochester’s residents and businesses but also attract the workforce talent required to achieve the DMC vision.

Destination Medical Center Corporation Board Takes Major Step Forward on Heart of the City

Press Releases

ROCHESTER, Minn. (August 25, 2016) – At today’s board meeting, the Destination Medical Center (DMC) Corporation Board of Directors took a major step forward on DMC’s Heart of the City sub-district by approving the recommendation of the Heart of the City Community Advisory Committee to select RSP Architects as the design team for public space in Heart of the City. The DMC Corporation Board also was updated on the latest progress of the Discovery Square sub-district and transportation.

“The Heart of the City district is an essential part of our strategy to ensure Rochester’s place as America’s City for Health,” said Lt. Governor Tina Smith, DMC Corporation Board Chair. “It will be the place where Mayo Clinic, medical innovation, new business and hospitality opportunities, and housing choices all meet. Today’s announcement takes us a step closer to this goal.”

Following the meeting, the DMC Corporation Board toured the recently reopened Conley-Maass Building located in Discovery Square and met with the building’s tenants and collaborators.

Destination Medical Center Corporation Board Discusses Major Milestone for Discovery Square and other DMC Progress

Press Releases

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.”

Destination Medical Center Corporation Board Meeting Highlights Substantial Progress Occurring in DMC District

Press Releases

ROCHESTER, Minn. (May 26, 2016) – At today’s board meeting, the Destination Medical Center (DMC) Corporation Board of Directors highlighted the substantial progress being made on projects in the DMC District. These projects include some of the DMC’s top development priorities: Discovery Square, Heart of the City, and transportation improvements. The Board also heard plans for DMC’s participation in this year’s BIO International Convention, the largest international event for the biotechnology industry.

$1.8 billion in infrastructure planned with DMC

General

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.