Mayo Clinic Reveals Closure and Demolition Timeline for Busy Ramp at Downtown Rochester Campus

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Mayo Clinic has announced the timeline for the closure and subsequent demolition of one of its busiest parking ramps on its downtown Rochester campus. 

See Also: Start Date Announced for Closure of 2nd St. Southwest in Downtown Rochester 

It’s the latest structure set to come down as part of the health-care giant’s $5 billion expansion in downtown Rochester. 

Demolition of the Ozmun building complex and former Lourdes High School to make way for the expansion started earlier this year. The ramp demolition is to make way for a pair of new clinical facilities, named the Bernard E. and Edith B. Waterman Building. 

Damon Parking Ramp on Mayo Clinic's Downtown Rochester Campus to Close in July

A Mayo Clinic news release says the closure and demolition of the Damon Parking Ramp, located at 15 3rd Ave. Southwest, is scheduled to begin in July. The news release does not provide a specific closure date. 

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Mayo is encouraging use of the Damon ramp until it closes. To help alleviate the large loss of parking spaces, Mayo plans to convert the West Employee Parking Ramp, also known as Ramp 9, to a mixed ramp open to both patients and employees. 

Floors 1-5 at the ramp, which is located at 515 West Center St., will be used for patients while all levels 6 and above will be dedicated to Mayo Clinic staff. 

Mayo also plans to provide patients with more specific parking instructions based on the location of their appointments. 

Patients with appointments at the Mayo and Gonda Buildings will be directed to the West Ramp, while patients with appointments at Methodist Hospital will be sent to park at the Graham Parking Ramp, located at 121 3rd Ave. Northwest. 

The news release says Mayo is asking staff to plan ahead. Mayo is planning to launch a new and expanded commuter bus, shuttle lot and downtown lottery options in the weeks leading up to the transition. 

An incentive-based carpool program is already in place. Staff are also encouraged to use Rochester Public Transit options to get to the downtown Rochester campus. 

Last year, Mayo Clinic accelerated plans to construct a new parking structure at St. Mary’s Hospital, in downtown Rochester and at the Rochester West Transit village near the Rochester Country Club. 

Most of those new options will be available by next year, the news release says. Mayo will also encourage staff to use the Link Bus Rapid Transit system, which is also set to be ready by next year.