Rochester City Council Overrides Mayor’s Veto of $245,000 Grant for Downtown Apartment Project

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Rochester City Council has once again voted to override a veto issued by Mayor Kim Norton regarding grant funding for a downtown Rochester property preservation project. 

See Also: Rochester Schools Face $68 Million Budget Shortfall by 2031 Without Action 

It’s the second time this year Mayor Norton has vetoed this type of project.

In January, she issued a veto after the City Council unanimously approved a $125,000 grant to help finance the renovation of the second floor of the historic building at 330 South Broadway for use as an apartment. The council voted to override that veto. 

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Rochester City Council Overrides Mayor's Veto of $245,000 Grant for Downtown Property Preservation Project

The second resolution vetoed by the mayor passed the council unanimously on June 2. The measure allocates about $245,000 in funding from the Downtown Property Preservation Program. 

The funds would cover about half the cost of a project to renovate the second floor of the Fagan Studios building at 324 South Broadway for use as an apartment.

The Destination Medical Center Board (DMC) approved the funding last month. 

In a memo explaining her veto, Mayor Norton argued that the program’s Revolving Loan Fund is a more appropriate financial incentive for the project, stating that it is an “adaptive reuse” of the building’s second floor and will generate revenue for the property owner. 

On Monday night, the Rochester City Council voted 6-1 to override the veto. Sixth Ward Councilman Dan Doering was the sole vote against overriding the veto. 

Council President Randy Schubring, who also serves as a city representative on the DMC board, says DMC plans to re-evaluate the property preservation program in September.