Historic Board Rejects Major Downtown Rochester Project Again

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Members of Rochester's Heritage Preservation Commission have voted to shut down a local developer's plans for a major project in the city's Downtown Historic District.

It marked the second time developer Hal Henderson has brought forward a proposal to construct a mixed-use tower on the west side of the 300 block of South Broadway in downtown Rochester. The plan presented to the commission would require the demolition of one of the historic buildings to accommodate a glass elevator tower and would only retain the front facades of several adjacent properties.

Documents submitted to the city indicate the proposed project would include spaces for retail, higher education uses, student housing, and market rate housing. Much of the space facing South Broadway would be used for gymnasium.

The commission voted to deny a "certificate of appropriateness" for the project based on a staff recommendation that found it did not meet standards for the treatment of designated landmark properties and required demolition. The Heritage Preservation Commission also voted to deny a request by the developer to remove the historic landmark designation for the properties.

The commission's actions will be presented to the Rochester City Council for a vote at a future meeting.

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In 2023, Henderson presented a similar proposal that called for the complete demolition of all of the historic buildings. It was rejected by the Heritage Preservation Commission and by the Rochester City Council.

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