DMC celebrates accomplishments, and looks forward
Sep. 19—ROCHESTER — Rain forced the annual Destination Medical Center meeting indoors Thursday, but relocating to the fifth floor of the Two Discovery Square building provided a unique glimpse at how a portion of downtown Rochester has changed.
"From this vantage point, you can see how a sea of parking lots have been transformed into active uses," said Patrick Seeb, executive director of the DMC Economic Development Agency.
From the building at 415 Second Ave. SW, he pointed east to the creation of new housing and commercial spaces that were developed in recent years, some stretching back before the launch of the DMC initiative, while also acknowledging plans for future development.
"There is a lot of collaboration and a lot to look forward to," he added.
Pam Wheelock, chairwoman of the state's DMC Corp. board, said it's important to look back at what's been done before jumping into the future, and the 20-year economic initiative that's nearing its halfway point has much to look back on with excitement.
"We've changed the face of this part of the community," she said of the newly constructed Discovery Walk, which creates a linear park along Second Avenue Southwest, stretching from the Mayo Clinic campus to Soldiers Field Memorial Park, which has also seen renovation supported by DMC funds.
Beyond the physical changes, she said it's important to look at how the work has been done, pointing to the variety of collaborative efforts seen within the downtown work, from enlisting community members to help design public spaces to city efforts seeking to limit disruption amid construction.
She said the collaboration has built trust and inclusion as a valuable asset in a time that can be marked by divisive attitudes.
"That will help us get the hard work done," she said.
In addition to celebrating the past, Rochester Mayor Kim Norton pointed to work that is looming in the near future, including construction of the Link Rapid Transit project along Second Street, the creation of a west transit village and plans for a Sixth Street Southeast bridge over the Zumbro River.
As vice chairwoman of the DMCC board, she said the work of DMC is creating connections throughout the district that covers the downtown core and stretches west to Saint Marys Hospital.
"This is the beginning of a long journey," she said, noting the COVID pandemic changed the pace of some work, but didn't stop it or alter the overall vision.
With DMC EDA staff working on the 10-year update report to the overall concept plan, DMCC board member Jim Campbell said he sees more work ahead in addressing housing and workforce needs, especially as Mayo Clinic begins expansion efforts.
"I think things are on track," he said.
At the same time, as a board member since the start of the initiative, he said he's noticed interest in the community, as well as the state, continue to grow.
"Like all new experiences, it takes time to generate excitement," he said.
