Open Letter to Employees at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota

Open Letter to Employees at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota

Mayo is getting crapped on a bit today thanks to the latest story about the investigation by the Attorney General.  But I had an experience involving a few different Mayo Clinic employees that was not the best.  In fact, you broke the law and did it right in front of me.  This has happened multiple times but the latest put me in danger.

READ MORE: Attorney General Announces Findings From Investigation

I work in downtown Rochester at Townsquare Media.  We've got the small, green building across the street from One Discovery Square.  If that doesn't jog your memory, we are the building with the giant radio painted on the side.

Inside that building are the amazing individuals who talk to you every day and bring you local news on 106.9 KROC, Quick Country 96.5, Fun 104, News-Talk 1340 KROC AM & 96.9 FM, Y-105FM (which I'm on) and a few others.  About 70% of the people who listen to the radio locally listen to us.

Here's The Problem...

Our downtown is gorgeous and I love taking a break during the day and walking around the various streets, through the Peace Plaza, sometimes through the Galleria, and around Soldier's Field.  However, there is one intersection that has become dangerous for pedestrians and drivers since a parking ramp was created for Mayo Clinic employees.

Do The Laws of the Road Not Apply To Mayo Clinic Employees In This Rochester Parking Ramp?

I thought that everyone had to follow the rules of the road.  I guess I am mistaken though because I have witnessed Mayo Clinic Employees breaking the law and almost hitting me at a specific intersection near the new parking ramp by Two Discovery Square in downtown Rochester.  I've been a pedestrian walking at this intersection and I've been a driver as well and witnessed this multiple times by MULTIPLE cars at once.

Above is a map of the area I'm talking about.  To break it down for you, 3rd Ave. SW is a one-way going North.  The signs placed on this road indicate this for all to see.

There is even a one-way sign posted for drivers to see as they are coming out of this parking ramp and turning onto 3rd Ave. SW.  (You can see it on the right side of the photo below.)

Even with all of the signage, the message doesn't seem to be clear enough because drivers are leaving this ramp and turning right.  They go the WRONG way on the one-way for just a moment until they can get to the intersection.  At this point, they either turn right or left.  I've seen both.

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Why Is This Dangerous?

First, it is against the law.  If the smart people building this ramp wanted you to exit that way, they would have designed it that way and worked with the city to make this a two-way road.  They didn't.

Second, anyone who is walking or driving at this intersection believes that you are going to be following the one-way rules.  However, I have been at the stop sign at this intersection and have had to halt as a pedestrian and also as a driver from going across because a driver coming out of the ramp has driven towards me, going the wrong way.

All That I'm Asking is This...

If you are a Mayo Clinic employee who parks in this lot, I appreciate what you do each day.  I am at Mayo Clinic often and I am very thankful that this medical giant is here in our town.  I have met many individuals in your lobby who travel from hours away, even from one of the 130 different countries where your patients are from.

All that I'm asking is that you consider the lives of those around you as you leave work too and just follow the rules that are placed on this road.

If you know someone who does this, please pass this message on to them.  Mayo Clinic, maybe you could send a note to your staff and fill them in on the rules of driving.  I'd rather not end up in your ER because one of your employees hit me with their car.

Sincerely,

Jessica On The Radio