Rochester

[David Greene]

If you're getting out of town at all, Lanesboro is a great destination (I'd rather go to Lanesboro than Rochester as a getaway, all things equal).

We love Lanesboro. We're hitting Rochester for some events around the area but while we're there it would be nice to explore the city. Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

[mattaudio]

A friend on the Rochester City Council forwarded this to me... http://planning2succeed.crowdgauge.org
Check it out and add your opinion, even if you're (like me) an outsider from the Twin Cities.

Also take this Rochester Transportation Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/?sm=PH6g ... %2bWeos%3d

[mattaudio]

"Huge Project Being Considered for Downtown Rochester"
http://therockofrochester.com/huge-proj ... bshare_top
"The Rochester City Council is expected to take a vote at its next formal meeting on what could become the largest downtown development project in city history."
Sounds like a new hotel and mixed use complex along the waterfront.

[Minneboy]

That parking lot has been there for years. I remember 40 years ago when I first got my license parking there. I'm sure it's time for it to come down. Not to mention that circular ramp. On another note I hope they don't build anything too tall next to the river and actually help to accent/embrace the river.

[grant1simons2]

This could be crazy. It's a developer out of the UAE that bought the property back in September of 2013 and told current tenants to vacate by 2015. According to the Finance and Commerce article then, the developer wanted to build a large 4 star hotel.

One of the guys on SSC found the page for it, I don't know how recent it is, but here it is: http://www.bloom.co.ae/projects/details ... -states%29

[bubzki2]

Pretty substantial redevelopment, if this is to be believed. Even removing and replacing that hideous parking ramp on the waterfront.

http://www.postbulletin.com/business/in ... c6765.html

[MNdible]

I read the article twice and did not see Rick Christenson's name mentioned at all. Weird.

[mattaudio]

Here's an article from back in 2000 discussing the proposed-and-failed 35 story Time Square project which would have consumed four blocks downtown. It would have included a Nordstrom. Interesting. No buzz on a Rochester Nordstrom in the past decade and a half?
http://www.postbulletin.com/time-square ... eba1c.html

[mattaudio]

Miracle Mile sale is in the works. I'm really hoping for a full redevelopment of this site.

[bubzki2]

Goodness, I was just there a couple days ago and was telling someone the Miracle Mile looks just awful. Considering its location, including visibility and accessibility, I could see something quite successful going in here. Hopefully the Ace Hardware sticks around, though!

[steve0257]

Main problem with Miracle Mile is that it has way to much empty space. If fit was fully occupied it would look a lot better.

One of the ideas floated in the DMC planning is that the location will eventually become park and ride for the street car/trolley running to downtown.

[bubzki2]

I personally would prefer any park and rides be on the other side of 52 - this area should have real development potential and it's easy for the street car to cross the freeway. That is, provided it actually has tracks that cross it ... and it gets built ...

[go4guy]

Agreed. Would like to see the retail back the highway here and have it face east. Streetcar should go further west. There is a big park and ride by the country club not much further west. Have the line go to that, and make a ramp there. This would reduce the need for the bus route to that park and ride. Miracle Mile should be saved for hotels and retail.

[steve0257]

Streetcar across 52 won't happen. It is tied up with where the funding comes from. Anything that counts toward DMC has to happen in the DMC area, which ends at 52. Also, that parking lot is on the edge of Cascade Park, and I think it is tied in with the long range planning for that park.

But it would be nice if we had a streetcar or trolley that would take you from downtown right out to a park on a lake.

[bubzki2]

Whole Foods may go in at the Miracle Mile

[mattaudio]

We could almost have a separate Miracle Mile thread. I want to see the entire site razed and started over as mixed use with a grid extension. But I guess that's not in the cards right now.

[Wedgeguy]

Did Donaldson's once anchor that mall some 40 years ago. There was a large department store, but I'm not sure who it was. Sear Anchored Crossroads until they moved into Apache Mall in the 80's. Now they are gone if I remember right.

[bubzki2]

I'm having trouble picturing the current building(s) converted to a Whole Foods. I suppose you could get creative with the structure if the 60s facade were replaced.

[Minneboy]

Yes it was Donaldson's. They never went to Apache Mall.

[Wedgeguy]

Yes it was Donaldson's. They never went to Apache Mall.

Sear was the one that moved to Apache Mall. Dayton's was late in moving to Apache also. I'm not sure what the past history of the old Donaldson's store was after Donaldson was absorbed by Carson Pierre Scott way back when.