Work Begins to Expand Smooth Areas of Downtown Rochester Peace Plaza

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A six figure project to fix an issue with the Peace Plaza in downtown Rochester is underway. 

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The Rochester City Council and Destination Medical Center Corporation Board (DMC) approved the plans to adjust the space earlier this year. 

The city has fielded numerous complaints about the plaza’s raised letter pavers impacting people with mobility and vision limitations. There have also been issues involving the uneven settling of the pavers. 

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Work to Expand Smooth Surfaces on Peace Plaza in Downtown Rochester Underway

The plan calls for expanding areas of smooth paver pathways on the Peace Plaza. Right now the northern, southern and eastern edges of the plaza have 10-12 feet of smooth surface area. 

Once the work is completed, the existing smooth areas will be expanded by about two feet. Crews are also set to add approximately two feet of smooth pavers on the east and west sides of 1st Ave. Southwest. 

Destination Medical Center funds will cover the project’s cost. The corporation's board approved allocating $175,000 for the fix during their meeting on Feb. 6. 

A news release issued by the city says crews will work on 50 square-foot increments at a time. City officials say crews will clean the work area every evening. 

The project is slated to be finished within six weeks.