DMC Board Reviews Proposed Development Plan

The DMC Board was briefed Thursday on the conceptual plans being put together that would make major changes to downtown Rochester.

The plans call for 5 districts that are designed to make the downtown more attractive but also deal with the anticipated changes the DMC initiative would have on the city, mainly the addition of thousands of new jobs and Mayo Clinic patients.

The transit component is highlighted by a streetcar system and a transportation hub.

The Heart of the City district deals with the Peace Plaza area and recommends making the Chateau Theater building a key part of the plan.

What’s called the Waterfront District would completely change the area between the Government Center and Mayo Civic Center, including the removal of the public library building.

The Discovery Square district is being called the key economic part of the DMC initiative and would be located one block south of the Mayo Building.

The 5th district deals with proposed changes in the St. Mary's campus area.

The board was also briefed on the DMC development district boundaries and the projected financial impact of the initiative.  A conservative projection calls for the addition of 52,000 jobs and an additional $68 billion in private sector revenues for the regional economy by the end of the 20 year DMC period.

The DMC Board is expected to receive the proposed master plan next month and then vote on it in January.   At this point, a vote by the City Council would likely take place in March.