Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A beautification project at a busy Rochester intersection began this week.

The site at the corner of South Broadway and 6th Street SW is owned by the University of Minnesota-Rochester and most recently was home to a restaurant. The building was eventually demolished after it was purchased by UMR and has been vacant since then.

UMR Chief of Staff Jay Hesley says it was recently decided to beautify the site, which serves as an entry point to the downtown. Hesley says the project will also serve as partial environmental remediation.  He says it calls for the removal and replacement of topsoil. New landscaping will include grasses, shrubs and trees. He says work should be completed in June.

Hesley says a long term plan calls for the site to be developed as part of the master plan for the future campus that will be located in that area.

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