Get Ready For Another Busy Construction Season in Rochester

Get our free mobile app

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - As the transformation of downtown Rochester continues, the Destination Medical Center Corporation Board of Directors met today to review a list of projects planned for next year.

The largest expenditure on the 2023 DMC capital plan totals more than $17.7 million for the Bus Rapid Transit system through downtown Rochester. Just over $9 million of that amount would come from state DMC funds and almost $16.5 million would be appropriated for the beginning of actual construction of the transit system. The plan calls for construction expenditures on the project to more than double in 2024 and exceed $70 million in 2025.

The next largest budget item in the plan is $17.5 million for the Soldiers Field Memorial Park revitalization project. $10 million of that amount would come from state DMC funds and the federal government would contribute another $5 million. A major piece of the project will be extending Discovery Walk into the park and to the Zumbro River, as well as east on 6th Street to South Broadway. The capital plan also includes another $1.7 million for the second phase of the Discovery Walk project along 2nd Avenue Southwest between 6th Street and 2nd Street.

The 2023 capital plan appropriates $1 million for major upgrades to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system in the historic Chateau Theatre, where the restrooms are being renovated this year. Another $3 million is being allocated for potential strategic redevelopment within Destination Medical Center Zone.

The overall 2023 DMC capital budget totals more than $50 million. The state contribution is more than $32 million when state transit aid is included. Another $3.4 million would come from Olmsted County transit aid funded by the county's DMC quarter-cent sales tax.