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Groundbreaking Building 1 Discovery Square

 Impact Lvl 1: Economic Development
Public Report on Discovery Square One led by Mortenson and Mayo Clinic
Last modified: November 06, 2017

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Highlights

The building will be the first of several science and research complexes that could total up to 2 million square feet in the 16-block Discovery Square area.

Contents

Per PB Reporting

 

After years of discussion, the ceremonial groundbreaking for Rochester's first Discovery Square inspired many grand visions about the future of the Destination Medical Center initiative on Thursday.

Mayo Clinic leaders, city officials and local business representatives crowded into a heated tent Thursday to officially launch construction of the Minneapolis-based Mortenson Co.'s new 89,000-square-foot building to anchor DMC's Discovery Square subdistrict at the corner of Second Avenue and Fifth Street Southwest. That's on Mayo Clinic's employee parking Lot No. 2.

It's expected to be finished before the end of 2019.

The building will be the first of several science and research complexes that could total up to 2 million square feet in the 16-block Discovery Square area.

While only about half of the first building has signed commitments from tenants, Mortenson Chair David Mortenson told the crowd that his firm is already looking ahead to the next project.

"We are now in conversations with over two dozen potential tenants that come from four different countries," he said. "That's resulted in us already starting the design of Phase II."

His comments and those of Lt. Governor Tina Smith, City Council President Randy Staver, Mayo Clinic CEO Dr. John Noseworthy and DMC leader Lisa Clarke. After they concluded, the whole crowd moved out into the parking lot when the construction is starting and watch them ceremonially scoop dirt with golden shovels.

Mayo Clinic will be the anchor tenant of this new building with a commitment to lease 30,000 square feet spread over three floors. The University Minnesota Rochester has also expressed interest in basing student labs in the building, but those negotiations are ongoing.

Noseworthy explained that offices and labs working on regenerative products, biomedical technology (lab tests) and advanced diagnostic (medical imaging) will be based in the new building.

Those are all areas that are working on the medical tests, devices or treatments in the late stages and ready for commercialization. The concept is that science companies interested in partnering with Mayo Clinic or, at least, licensing the intellectual property will move into the center to ease collaboration.

"Business folks will come here from all over the world to work together to address our patients unmet needs," said Noseworthy.

The vision of multiple businesses working with Mayo Clinic to create new medical treatments and test is inspiring, said Mortenson at the podium at the groundbreaking.

"Where else could you stand and say we are here to revolutionize medicine to change history and to have an impact not just on millions, but perhaps billions, of people across the world?" he asked rhetorically. "Where could you stand and know that is credible other than right here in Rochester, Minnesota."

This new building will be a concrete example of the DMC vision. Critics have often pointed out that the $6 billion initiative has spurred a lot of discussion, but little construction. The Hilton hotel under construction on North Broadway is most prominent project to move forward, though several other developments are in the pipeline.

 

 

 

  

 

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