Community News
Downtown Rochester Task Force Progress September Update
In response to the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on downtown Rochester, a task force was assembled to build a community-based action plan to address immediate and short-term recommendations to be taken by organizations and businesses that support downtown Rochester.
The Downtown Rochester Task Force includes members from the City of Rochester, Destination Medical Center (DMC), Experience Rochester, Mayo Clinic, Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, Rochester Area Economic Development Agency, Inc. (RAEDI), and Rochester Downtown Alliance (RDA).
Listed below is an update highlighting ongoing and completed actions by the Task Force members.
ONGOING: • Experience Rochester, RDA and other partners are beginning a new downtown event , Alive After Five: Party on the Mayo Civic Center Riverfront Plaza. • RDA continues the “Explore Rochester’s Downtown” promotional campaign . Includes paid advertising, free downtown trolley service, and events. • City staff, DMC, RDA, and Experience Rochester are partnering for public art downtown through DMC and NEA grant funding. PROMOTION, ACTIVATION, AND PROGRAMMING
ONGOING: • City staff are reworking the Parklet, Street Café, and Sidewalk Café application and developing a quick reference guide. There will be an annual sign- up event to help guide business through the application process. • City Clerk and staff are reviewing opportunities to refine business licensing processes. BARRIERS TO DOING BUSINESS DOWNTOWN
ACCESS TO DOWNTOWN
DOWNTOWN GROWTH
ONGOING: • City and RDA are
ONGOING: • Mayo Clinic, DMC and the task force team are researching ways to repurpose vacant Mayo Clinic properties considered to be high profile retail locations . COMPLETED: • 57 existing and new downtown businesses have been supported, with r esources from the Main Street Economic Revitalization Grant program.
planning discussions with small businesses about parking needs and an employee parking program pilot. • City staff are in process of repurposing an existing sign to a large wayfinding map of downtown. COMPLETED: • City Council approved extending the ramp security program. • Increased downtown RPD patrols and parking ramp security to address public safety concerns in the summer. • City added wayfinding signage to ramps. • The Broadway divider has been removed.
OCTOBER 2023 — ROCHESTER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ADVANTAGE MAGAZINE | 27
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