Homes being demolished to make way for apartment building near Mayo Park
Crews have begun taking the first steps toward building a 29-unit apartment building adjacent to Mayo Park in downtown Rochester.
Demolition began last weekend of four homes located just east of the Mayo Civic Center along the Zumbro River. The project, known as Lofts at Mayo Park, is being developed by Helen Roland of the George F. Pougiales Trust.
"It is our hope that the community will recognize what a beautiful and welcoming neighborhood exists just across the river to the East," Roland said in a news release. "This building will bring some positive energy to Destination Medical Center efforts to enhance the river walk.”
The city council unanimously approved the project last summer, despite some concerns from neighbors that the modern design did not fit the historic neighborhood. The proposal also won the endorsement of the DMC Economic Development Agency.
“The project is consistent with the DMC vision by adding new and additional housing units in the downtown while enhancing the public realm of the neighborhood," said Lisa Clarke, executive director of the DMC EDA, in a letter addressed to the city council.
The four-story building will feature an eco-friendly design with views of the waterfront and the downtown skyline. While it did not directly receive any public funding, the city did agree to provide tax increment financing (TIF) to bury nearby power lines and provide upgrades to Mayo Park.
The project is expected to be completed by January 2017.
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(Cover graphic: Rendering / Lofts at Mayo Park)
