Mayo Clinic: Demolition of Buildings Start This Fall for Massive Downtown Rochester Expansion Project

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Mayo Clinic has announced an estimated timeline for some of the first noticeable projects involving its $5 billion expansion in downtown Rochester. 

See Also: Mayo Clinic Announces Name of New Rochester Clinical Building 

Last year the healthcare provider formally rolled out its plans to construct new clinical and support buildings to the west of the Gonda building. 

The plans call for the demolition of the former Lourdes High School, Ozmun building and Damon Parking Ramp. 

During a news conference on Friday, Mayo Clinic leaders shared a few more details on when noticeable demolition and construction will begin. The former Lourdes school and Ozmun building are up first.  

Get our free mobile app

Mayo Clinic Announces Demolition Timeline for Former Lourdes High School, Ozmun Building and Damon Parking Ramp

Officials say crews will begin demolition on the Ozmun west building on 1st St. Southwest in September. The Ozmun parking ramp at the corner of 1st St. and 4th Ave. Southwest is scheduled to close for demolition in October. 

Mayo officials say drivers who use the Ozmun ramp will be directed to Ramp 12 on 1st St. Southwest. 

The demolition of the inside of the Lourdes building will begin in the next couple of months. Mayo Clinic is planning efforts to preserve savable contents of the building before it is knocked down, officials say. 

Construction on the logistical center that will replace the former school is slated to begin in 2025. Mayo has also submitted plans to build a new park on the site of the former school. 

Mayo Clinic also announced Friday that the Damon Parking Ramp is scheduled to close in the middle of next year. 

Mayo officials say most of the demolition is expected to occur on site. They advise drivers to prepare for rolling road closures for utility work surrounding the soon-to-be-started building construction. 

See Also: Mayo Clinic Accelerates Plans to Build New Parking Ramps in Rochester 

Mayo Clinic is also planning to construct a new larger entrance on the east side of the Gonda building this fall.

The two new nine-story clinical buildings, which are slated to have the option for upward expansion, will be connected to each other as well as the Gonda Building. In all Mayo is planning to add 2.4 million additional square feet of space across five new facilities.

More Minnesota News:

• New J-Turn on Hwy. 14 Between Rochester and Owatonna Now Open 
• Lane-Splitting Motorcyclist Dies in Crash on Minnesota Interstate
• Minneapolis Daycare Worker Accused of Using Kids for Child Porn Now Facing Federal Charges