Rochester to Build $43M Facility for Parks and Public Works

The project, located just east of the existing Public Works and Transit Operations Center at 4300 East River Road NE, is part of a broader $43 million initiative designed to modernize municipal services and make better use of city-owned land.

A New Hub for City Operations

The new facility will bring together staff from the Parks & Forestry Department currently operating out of a constrained site near Mayo Field and parts of the Public Works maintenance team. In total, the complex will feature up to 92,400 square feet of garage and maintenance space and 13,500 square feet of new office space, including:

• A 92,400 sq. ft. Fleet Garage

• 61,053 sq. ft. of Vehicle Storage

• 24,452 sq. ft. Salt Storage facility (43 feet high)

• 14,100 sq. ft. of Administrative Offices

• Additional support, storage, and wash buildings

The City acquired the 10.75-acre site in 2024 for $6 million, ensuring ample room for current operations and future expansion.

Zoning for Flexibility

To support the scale and scope of the new complex, the City is requesting a rezoning of the property from Light Industrial to Special Industrial. This shift will allow a doubling of the floor area ratio (FAR) from 0.5 to 1.0 and eliminate rear setback requirements making it easier to accommodate exterior material and fleet storage while providing more space for potential facility growth.

The rezoning also creates flexibility within other city departments. By moving Public Works staff to the new location, Rochester can repurpose portions of its existing facilities for alternate uses or expansions.

Traffic and Community Response

According to projections, the combined impact of the Parks relocation and a proposed 35,000 sq. ft. retail plaza on an adjacent lot could generate over 2,500 vehicle trips per day. Traffic is expected to be distributed primarily across Broadway Avenue, East River Road, and 44th Street NE.

At a February 13 neighborhood information meeting, community members voiced questions about potential traffic congestion, green space, and building height. Officials assured residents that the building designs comply with city codes and that $14 million in state bonding dollars will support landscaping and buffer zones to preserve neighborhood character.

Although traffic doesn’t yet justify a signal at 44th & Broadway, city planners noted that a signal will be installed once traffic volumes meet the threshold.

How It’s Being Funded

Rochester is piecing together a mix of funding sources to make the project a reality:

• $14 million in state bonding support

• Nearly $12 million in tax-abatement bonds

• Contributions from existing local sales tax revenue

• Potential future support from federal programs, particularly if energy efficiency components are added

What’s Next?

Design work is expected to begin in spring 2025, with related transit facility construction starting by April 2025. The Parks & Forestry team could begin moving in by late 2026, with full operations anticipated in early 2027.

Looking Beyond the Site

One of the project’s most exciting ripple effects lies in its potential for downtown redevelopment. The Parks & Forestry Department’s current home, nestled between Mayo Field and the Zumbro River, sits on prime riverfront real estate. Once vacated, the land could be repurposed to support the city’s broader vision of a more vibrant, accessible downtown core.

A Long-Term Investment

More than just new buildings, the Parks & Public Works project represents a strategic investment in Rochester’s future. By improving efficiency, expanding operational capacity, and unlocking new development opportunities, the city is building not only for today but for decades to come.