Have ideas for the Heart of the City? Here's how to get involved.
The City of Rochester and DMC Corporation are seeking volunteers to join a community advisory committee that will assist with the planning and design of the Heart of the City, a sub-district of the DMC development plan.
The committee — to be made up of nine to 12 members — will consist of business and property owners, civic leaders, citizen at-large members, partner organizations, design experts, a city council representative and a Chateau Theatre Task Force representative.
Mayor Ardell Brede and DMCC Board Member R.T. Rybak will serve as co-chairs.
The city and DMC are in the process of developing a Request for Proposals (RFP) process to select a qualified design firm to assist with the planning and design for the public spaces of the Heart of the City.
The Heart of the City is located at the intersection of First Avenue and First Street Southwest, and encompasses the area in and around Peace Plaza. The DMC plan describes the sub-district as "a cross-roads where Mayo Clinic, commercial, hospitality, retail and residential meet.” It was outlined by planners as a top priority in the first five years of DMC.
"The area will be almost a celebratory space where it has the light pavilion, where we can have cultural and artistic events happen under this beautiful ceiling over the intersection of First and First," DMC Master Planner Peter Cavaluzzi said in a 2015 interview with the Med City Beat. "It will be visible to patients and workers, as well as to visitors who inhabit Peace Plaza."
According to a news release, the committee's responsibilities will include:
- Participation in the interview process and recommendations from the pool of qualified design firms for the RFP. Assisting in community engagement, including establishing a process to keep the adjacent property-owners updated and advised on the progress.
- Meeting with Design Team to provide input and reaction to design concepts
- Making recommendations to DMCC and City of Rochester at key project milestones
- Attending five to eight committee meetings during 2016 design process
Individuals interested in being considered should contact the Mayor’s Office at (507) 328-2700 or email dbussell@rochestermn.gov.
Submissions are due by Monday, Feb. 22.
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(Cover graphic: DMC Development Plan)
