City of Rochester Announces Planned Closure of Civic Center Dr.

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Another road closure gets underway in downtown Rochester next week. 

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It could impact travel for fans attending section volleyball games on Tuesday at the Mayo Civic Center.

The closure is related to an initiative to switch the energy source powering the buildings owned and operated by the City of Rochester. 

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The initiative is called the Downtown Building Energy Transition and involves shifting the power source of the city’s downtown buildings to geothermal energy. 

Civic Center Dr. to Close in Downtown Rochester Oct. 28 & 29

Starting on Tuesday, October 28, Civic Center Dr. will be closed in both directions between 1st St. and 2nd St. Southeast. Southbound Civic Center Dr. will also be closed between Center St. and 1st St. Southeast. 

The left turn from eastbound 2nd St. SE to northbound Civic Center Dr. will be closed during the work. 

The Civic Center Dr. sidewalk on the side opposite of the Mayo Civic Center will be closed from 1 Street SE to 2 Street SE. Officials anticipate the closure to last through Wednesday, October 29.

The energy transition work in downtown Rochester is part of Rochester Public Utilities’ goal of 100% renewable energy by 2030. 

The work to transition the power source for Mayo Civic Center, Rochester Art Center, Rochester Civic Theatre and the Rochester Public Library began in August.

It’s the second phase of the energy transition project and will allow the facilities to exchange energy as needed once the project is finished. Natural gas will be used as a backup energy source, city officials say.  

Similar work to shift Rochester City Hall to Geothermal was completed over an eight-month time span in 2023.