Downtown Commercial Historic District

Designated as a historic landmark district by the City Council on January 22, 2024, the area includes thirty-one properties, all but four being contributing to the district.

Map outlining downtown commercial historic district This area is historically significant due to it being the original central business 1870-1962.

Focus Areas

Eight focus areas assist historic property owners and businesses in the district:

Business Navigation
Financial
Regulatory
Recruitment Retention
Public Realm
Mobility
Programming Activation
Branding Marketing

The City works with local partners on all eight areas. The City's current focus is on the following:

Financial

Financial Tools & Programs

Interested in pursuing a financial tool? Fill out an Intake Form.

Predevelopment Grant	Economic Development Loan	Infrastructure Investment
Provides up to $20,000 per property with a 50% match from non-City funds, covering soft costs like design and engineering. Approval by Rochester City staff is required, with $125,000 available annually.	Offers up to $200,000 per property with a 10-year term at 0% interest, including a $20,000 incentive for non-street level housing projects. Approval by Rochester City staff is required, with $1,000,000 available annually.	Provides up to $500,000 per property with a 50% match from non-DMC funds, covering permanent physical improvements that qualify as public infrastructure projects. Approval by the DMCC Board and Rochester City Council is required, with funds available until December 31, 2029.
Program Outline: Up to $20,000 per contributing property 50% match by other non-City funds Reimbursement, progress payment TBD Eligible Expenses: soft costs such as design, plans, engineering Approval required by Rochester City staff $125,000 available funds per year, or until funds are exhausted or re-allocated	Program Outline: Up to $200,000 per contributing property 10 year term / 0% interest rate Eligible Expenses: What can it be used towards? $20,000 incentive for non-street level housing projects Approval required by Rochester City staff $1,000,000 available funds per year, or until funds are exhausted or re-allocated	Program Outline: Up to $500,000 per contributing property 50% match by other non-DMC funds Eligible Expenses: Permanent physical improvements to the building that meet the DMC definition of “public infrastructure project” Approval required by the DMCC Board and Rochester City Council Funds available until 12.31.2029 or until funds are exhausted or re-allocated
Application Requirements: Quote/bid/estimate	Application Requirements: Project plans Quotes/bids/estimates Commitment of other financial support Project must meet all City planning, zoning, or other entitlement requirements and approvals	Application Requirements: Quotes/bids/estimates Commitment of other financial support Acknowledgements for prevailing wage, American made steal, WMBE goals, Sustainability goals Project must meet all City planning, zoning, or other entitlement requirements and approvals

Mobility

The active transportation network provides connection to the district via the river trail and several nearby on-street bicycle lanes.
23 different bus routes travel to and through the historic district on 2^nd Street and Broadway Avenues.
Public Parking lots and ramps are located adjacent to the district.
Information about metered on-street parking and in the Zumbro Market Lot can be located on this interactive map.

Public Realm

Open and available, without charge for everyone to use, the public realm includes streets, sidewalks, plazas, and green space. Pavement, vegetation, utilities, street furnishings, and the buildings that enclose and define these spaces all influence the public realm. In 2024, the City and historic district partners, will begin a process to define a common vision for use of cultural & natural features within and adjacent to the historic district as resources for property and business owner, and the community at large.

Regulatory

Rochester, MN

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Contact Information

Downtown Commercial Historic District

Focus Areas

Financial Tools & Programs