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Rochester Public Library Expansion (2020 Version)

A proposal for the Rochester Public Library expansion moves the library to the block formerly occupied by the Post Bulletin with the main entry at Civic Center and East Center Street. The library would double its current size. Three other buildings — a hotel, senior living complex and condos — are also included in the development plan.

Project Impact(s): Children & Youth, Reading

This project is in Concept Phase

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Collaborators, Project Type, Impacts, Related Projects

Collaborators 

Lead Organization: TBD

Contact: TBD ; Email: TBD ; Phone: TBD

Known/Likely Collaborators: City of Rochester, MN ; Rochester Public Library

Potential Collaborators:


Related Projects

Rochester Public Library Expansion (Two Floor Addition)


Impacts 

Major Impact: 

PlanScape Impacts :

Level 1: Children & Youth, Reading

Level 2:

DMC Impacts:

Education/Learning Environment

Community Health Impacts:


Type of Project

Building, Planning  

 

 

Detailed Description

PB Reporting 

A new downtown Rochester library constructed under a proposed public/private partnership would cost an estimated $95 million.

The result would be a three-story, 150,000-square-foot library on the site of the former Post Bulletin building, a block north of the existing Rochester Public Library.

Anticipated costs for the city could be reduced based on a potential partnership with the property owner and developers, but details of a potential development agreement remain in discussion.

Rochester developer Dan Penz and a group of local investors have been working on the proposal for more than a year, and plans include adding a convention hotel, a 17-story senior living tower and condominium complex to the site. They would be privately owned and operated.

The Rochester City Council will review design concepts and potential tax levy impacts Monday during its 3:30 p.m. meeting.

A proposed schedule calls for a potential decision in March, when the council will have four new members.

If approved in March, construction could start in April 2022 following additional design work, with anticipated completion of the library at the end of 2023.

The proposed plan follows years of discussion regarding library space.

In 2016, the Library Board pitched a $55 million expansion project that would have added 80,000 square feet to the existing Second Street Southeast building by adding two additional floors to it.

The effort failed to secure the required funding commitments to move forward.

Analysis of the potential tax impacts to pay for new proposed construction range from a 8.1 percent to 11.9 percent property tax levy increase, depending on the length of a loan and potential interest rate.

Due to the potential increase of tax need and revenue decline amid the COVID-19 pandemic, city staff is suggesting the options be reviewed as part of a future discussion of council priorities, according to information sent to the council Thursday.

The council will discuss options for future decisions when it meets online at 3:30 p.m. Monday. The meeting will livestream at www.rochestermn. gov/agendas and be available on Spectrum cable channel 180 or 188 and MetroNet channel 80.  

 


Other Community News and Reports having impacts on:

Children & Youth, Reading
November 11, 2024: Rochester Public Schools Referendum Nov 2024
RPS Superintendent Video and Presentation Slides

Referendum to support: Strong Communities; Strong Schools; Strong Young People

PB Reporting on Referendum Efforts and Results

Read more ...
October 11, 2024: Juneteenth Activities

November 2024 Selma Film and Discussions

2024 Recognition: $1K Scholarship: 2024 Rochester H.S. Graduate: Application and Nomination, Sponsorship and Donation support, Facebook photos of 2024 Mr. and Miss Juneteenth

Read more ...
October 09, 2024: Rochester Community Initiative (RCI)
Students Decoded: The Mental Health Database

C2C October 9, 2024 Summit

Presentation Slides  

 

Read more ...
October 01, 2024: Early Childhood Resource Hub Launch

The Early Childhood Resource Hub, a collaboration between C2C and IMAA, aims to connect Olmsted County families with young children to various resources and services.

 

Read more ...
September 23, 2024: A Study of Financial Hardship

Post Bulletin Reporting

United Way 2024 ALICE  (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Report 

Read more ...
August 20, 2024: Rochester Community Initiative (RCI)
2024 Presentation at DMC DEI Series

2022 News Next chapter, summer programming: 5-K run; Narcan training partnership with Diversity Council. 

Read more ...
July 27, 2024: C2C Summer 2024 Sparklers

Newsletter Highlights:

Systems Change Designation; Data Updates; Network Updates; Contributors

Read more ...
June 19, 2024: RISE for Youth Learning
Updates from NAACP with Media Links

"Example of careers they are interested in include radiology, artificial Intelligence, surgery, aeronautical engineering, psychology, sports, business administration and many more!"

Read more ...
May 17, 2024: Minnesota Department of Health May 2034 News

May 2024 Health Equity Community Survey

May 2024 MDH Newsletter: COVID-19 in Min; Funding; Jobs; Upcoming Testing & Vaccination Events

Read more ...
May 06, 2024: Free FAFSA Support for Community Based Organizations
5/6/2024 Announcement: CBO hosting a College Financial Aid Event to receive $1000 grant

Cradle 2 Career (C2C), Rochester Public Schools (RPS), and Arch to Philanthropy are launching a College Coordinator Pilot to provide College Based Organizations (CBOs) resources for College Readiness.

Read more ...
April 18, 2024: Rochester Public Library Facilities and Operations Master Plan –Request for Proposals
The Rochester Public Library in Rochester, Minnesota, is seeking proposals from consultants and groups with experience working with libraries to engage in a robust, community co-design and collaborative process for a Facilities and Operations Master Plan.

Read more ...
March 26, 2024: Community Asset Building and Early Literacy Grants
Grant Opportunities: 

Due April 17, 2024 Community Asset Building and Health and Wellness Priorities Grants

Due March 5, 2024 Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation seeking applications for Early Literacy Grants

Read more ...
January 18, 2024: ACT-S0 Olympics of the Mind
Empowering Minds, Inspiring Change: Rochester Branch of the NAACP Unveils ACT-SO, Olympics of the Mind, with a Boost from $75k Mayo Clinic Commitment Against Racism 2023 Grant!

Press Release 

Admin Message

Read more ...

 

 

Last modified by support on 2022/04/03
Created by support on 2020/12/31

 

 

 

Site Information
Project Phase Definitions
The following defines the various project phases:
  1. Available - a product, program or service is in production
  2. Develop - program or application is being developed
  3. Plan - idea is solid, stakeholders are identified, and there is strong commitment to go forward from all parties.
  4. Concept Phase - idea scoped out with enough details to give an early sizing and/or to build a proof of concept
    demonstration
  5. Pre-concept Phase - an early idea or a requirement.
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