When Will Empty Lots in Downtown Rochester Be Filled?
Downtown Rochester, a bustling hub with its historic buildings, modern culinary spaces, and the prestigious Mayo Clinic, also harbors spaces of potential that have yet to be realized. Among these are empty lots that prompt questions and imaginative ideas from the city’s residents and visitors alike. Two notable examples of such spaces, the lot on Fourth Street Southwest and Broadway, and the former Post Bulletin site, capture the curiosity of those who envision a more vibrant downtown.
The Fourth Street Southwest and Broadway Lot
This plot of land, once considered for the Rosie Belle Performing Arts Center by owner Jan Daly, remains vacant. Intended to be a beacon for the performing arts, financial hurdles have kept the project from coming to fruition. Since the demolition of an older building in May 2017, the lot at 405 S. Broadway has sat empty, despite its prime location amidst downtown Rochester’s active scene.
With initial estimates pegging the cost at $16 million in 2017, the financial requirements for development have only increased, particularly in light of rising construction costs. Although the property was once listed for sale at $3.5 million, with a later reduction to $2.9 million, its fate remains undecided. Daly is open to propositions that come with a solid plan and the necessary funding to transform this central downtown location.
The Former Post Bulletin Site
Another piece of ‘prime real estate’ that has caught public attention is the former Post Bulletin building. Its proximity to significant city landmarks like the Mayo Civic Center and the Mayo Clinic makes it an attractive spot for development. Yet, as of now, the land has been more successful at cultivating weeds than attracting solid developmental plans.
Acquired for $12.5 million on April 17, 2023, by Empire Hotels (operating under HP PB LLC), the site holds vast potential. The owners, with a portfolio that includes several hotels in Rochester, the Twin Cities, and even beyond Minnesota, have yet to unveil their plans for this valuable plot. Despite regular inquiries from local business news outlets, the future of this strategic parcel remains a mystery.
Both the Fourth Street Southwest and Broadway lot and the former Post Bulletin site represent the dreams and aspirations of Rochester’s residents and stakeholders for a downtown that fully realizes its potential. The delay in development could be attributed to a multitude of factors, including financial viability, the quest for a project that matches the value of these prime locations, or perhaps, the changing dynamics of urban planning.
The scarcity of information and concrete plans have not dampened the spirit of anticipation among the community. With ongoing discussions and developments related to Destination Medical Center (DMC) initiatives and other city projects, there is a hopeful outlook that these empty spaces will eventually be transformed into vibrant, purposeful areas that contribute to the richness of Rochester’s downtown area.
Until then, the community watches and waits, hopeful that the right projects will come along to fill these empty lots with structures and activities that echo the city’s bold visions for its future.
