Nov 30

Nov 30 What is your vision for the St. Marys sub-district? DMC wants your input.

The Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency will hold an open house this week to give the public a chance to provide feedback on the future design of the St. Marys Place sub-district.

The input session is scheduled for Thursday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the EDA's office in downtown Rochester (195 South Broadway). The event will include opportunities to review proposed concepts and to talk with designers and staff about the vision for the St. Marys area.

Attendees are encouraged to share thoughts on three design concepts, each developed from a different perspective. The end goal is to take the best components of each design and mesh them into a final concept that serves the needs of residents, patients, business owners and developers.

"The idea of the three concepts is to get as many ideas out as we can and for people to react to what they like and don't like," said Mark Miller, a landscape architect for SEH Rochester, which is leading the design effort.

The concepts have several common themes, according to DMC. They include creating a walkable, active commercial district north of Second Street, enhancing connections to neighborhoods, improving traffic flow, and ensuring a safe, comfortable pedestrian environment.

In addition to feedback from stakeholders and community members, consultants used prior planning documents — including the DMC development plan and Second Street Corridor plan — to develop the design concepts.

"We see plans as the foundation on which designs are developed," said Patrick Seeb, director of economic development and placemaking for DMC. "Designs lead to construction."

Following Thursday's open house, the planning team will make any necessary refinements before presenting a joint concept to the public on Dec. 7. It will then head to the DMC Corporation Board and city council for approval.

The St. Marys district was not included as one of the top three priorities for the first five years of DMC's implementation, but nonetheless has been facing intense development pressure — highlighted by a proposed $100 million project along Second Street and 14th Avenue Southwest. The development, put forward by Minneapolis-based Alatus, is expected to go front of the council this month.

Unable to attend Thursday's event? You can provide feedback using this survey.