Community News
Downtown Rochester Task Force Six Month 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.
Read more updates at www.downtownrochestermn. com/downtown-rochester-taskforce 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: • Task Force members continue to commit to iconic downtown events while collaborating with other organizations to enhance event success . • Modifying approach of downtown activation from single event to seasonal activation . COMPLETED: • Experience Rochester, Mayo Clinic, and RDA partnered to create a hospitality package to increase knowledge and access to downtown. • Experience Rochester, RDA and other partners brought a new downtown PROMOTION, ACTIVATION, AND PROGRAMMING
ONGOING: • City staff are finalizing modifying the Parklet, Street Café, and Sidewalk Café application and developing a quick reference guide. • City will recommend changes for licensing after the City Clerk's office did a comprehensive review on the processes. • Continued commitment to Business Forward and coordination of all downtown construction . BARRIERS TO DOING BUSINESS DOWNTOWN
ACCESS TO DOWNTOWN
DOWNTOWN GROWTH
ONGOING: • City Council approved winter/holiday parking program and is continuing to explore the feasability of parking adjustments. • City continues evaluation and investment in wayfinding tools. Task Force members are working with Mayo Clinic on their Bold. Forward Unbound. team to align future wayfinding as well. COMPLETED: • City extended the ramp security program. • City and Mayo Clinic are working to finalize opening a temporary police substation downtown.
ONGOING: • Mayo Clinic, DMC and the task force team are researching and actively working on ways to repurpose street-level vacant and leased spaces . have convened Grow Downtown Together working group that has reviewed tools to provide insights, trends, and more. • 57 existing and new downtown businesses have been supported, with r esources from the Main Street Economic Revitalization Grant program. COMPLETED: • DMC and READI
event , Alive After Five: Party on the Mayo Civic Center Riverfront Plaza.
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