Rochester City Council Advances Redesign of 6th Ave. in Downtown

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Rochester City Council voted to advance a proposed redesign of a downtown street Monday night. 

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The “Reimagining 6th Avenue West” project has been in the works for several years. 

Councilmembers were presented with a plan to address the street between Civic Center Dr. NW and 2nd St. SW. The $8.7 million project is in response to Mayo Clinic’s $5 billion expansion in downtown Rochester. 

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Elected leaders previously approved vacating 3rd and 4th Avenues between West Center Street and 2nd Street Southwest to accommodate the health-care giant’s expansion. 

City Council Approves Redesign of West 6th Ave. Between Civic Center Dr. NW & 2nd St. SW

The elimination of those north-south routes will make 6th Avenue a “critical multi-modal corridor” for the downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods, according to the agenda item. 

The proposal includes two lanes for vehicle traffic, separate bike lanes and wide sidewalks, and wide boulevards for trees and other landscaping. It also includes space for outdoor gatherings, with benches and other seating along the corridor. 

The proposed timeline calls for construction to begin in the spring of next year. Destination Medical Center funding will pay for the design and construction of the project. 

Councilmembers approved a motion to adopt the concept plan and authorize preparation of the final design and bid documents on a 6-0 vote. City officials say they could seek bids as soon as late this year.