Community News
Downtown Rochester Task Force Progress 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 and the RDA are actively discussing event cross promotion opportunities. • Experience Rochester has begun regional marketing focusing on weekend getaways in Rochester. • RDA began a promotional campaign “Explore Rochester’s Downtown”. Included is an online promotional resource and a new free downtown trolley service. • City staff, DMC, RDA, and Experience Rochester are partnering for public art downtown through DMC and NEA grant funding. PROMOTION, ACTIVATION, AND PROGRAMMING
BARRIERS TO DOING BUSINESS DOWNTOWN
ACCESS TO DOWNTOWN
DOWNTOWN GROWTH
ONGOING: • City Council supported exploring new downtown parking solutions. City staff are actively working on options and details will be available soon. • Rochester Police Department (RPD) is discussing an opportunity with Mayo Clinic to possibly activate first floor space downtown for a “sub station” RPD presence. COMPLETED: • Increased Downtown RPD Patrols and Downtown Parking Ramp Security were shared to address public safety concerns.
ONGOING: • DMC and the taskforce team are collaborating with Mayo Clinic to repurpose street level space in the US Bank building and the 201 Building, both considered high profile retail locations . COMPLETED: • 57 existing and new downtown businesses have been supported, with resources from the Main Street Economic Revitalization Grant program.
ONGOING: • City staff have
started discussions with businesses for an opportunity to review their barriers and obstacles with the permitting and approval process .
22 | ROCHESTER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ADVANTAGE MAGAZINE — JULY 2023
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software