Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Rochester Mayor Kim Norton has deployed her veto power on a resolution approved by the new Rochester City Council during its first meeting. 

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The resolution awarded grant funding for a project at a building in downtown Rochester. 

The financial incentive is part of the city’s Downtown Property Preservation Program, which includes awarding grants and loans to help owners of buildings in Rochester’s Downtown Commercial Historic District cover some of the cost of maintaining the historic structures.  

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Mayor Kim Norton Vetoes Grant To Renovate Second Floor of Historic Rochester Building into Apartment

During the Jan. 6 City Council meeting, council members unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included a resolution to award a grant of $125,288.04 to cover half the cost of renovating the second floor of the building at 330 South Broadway Ave. into an apartment. 

The property in question houses Marrow Restaurant on the first floor.

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

“This fund is for Historic Preservation purposes which, in my mind, supports repairing, maintaining, and upgrading the historic features and structure of the building,” Mayor Norton wrote regarding the grant. 

Veto memo. City of Rochester
Veto memo. City of Rochester
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Mayor Norton vetoed the motion on Tuesday and asked the council take it up as a separate agenda item for discussion during the next meeting. 

The veto means the resolution will go back to the Rochester City Council during its January 22 meeting. Five yea votes are required for a successful override.

TIME TRAVEL! Take a trip back to Downtown Rochester in 2005

A bunch of photos taken in 2005 highlight the dramatic changes that continue to impact the city's downtown area.

Gallery Credit: Andy Brownell

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