Rochester’s population boom is coming. But is the territory ready?

ROCHESTER — Tens of thousands of new residents are expected to move here over the next two decades, thanks in part to massive projects like the Mayo Clinic’s ongoing $5 billion expansion.

More people means more infrastructure, services and bills to pay, according to Rochester leaders, many of whom say action is needed now to keep pace with the population boom.

“It’s affordable on every level,” said Patrick Seeb, executive director of Destination Medical Center (DMC). “How can we create strategies that ensure continued opportunity for all members of our community to afford to live and do business here?” »

Local leaders met with DMC staff Thursday to review the community needs of the city of 125,000, amid several large-scale projects planned over the next six years.

The DMC Board of Trustees approved approximately $12 million in funding for housing development and historic preservation, including $5 million for a program to support the historic downtown commercial district of Rochester.

DMC officials also approved at least $7 million in new housing projects, including a $4 million senior housing complex as part of the upcoming bus rapid transit line and $3 million for a 319-unit apartment complex north of Mayo Civic Center.

As Mayo continues its expansion plans, local leaders must find housing for at least 2,000 trade workers coming to the area to build new facilities at Mayo. The city operates a rapid bus line that will open in 2026. Meanwhile, Olmsted County officials are grappling with how they can help a growing number of low-wage workers get by.

There are the budget problems of Rochester Public Schools, the growing mental health and homeless crisis in the county, and the need for a new county jail in a few years.

“It’s not going to happen tomorrow or even next year, but these are the kinds of investments that will be needed,” Olmsted County Administrator Heidi Welsch said.

Local officials say they will need to partner on more issues than ever before because they say Rochester, Olmsted County and public schools don’t have enough resources to solve major problems on their own. For example, Rochester’s population has nearly doubled over the past four decades, while city staff has only increased 17 percent during that time.

Several groups, however, showed positive signs of continued growth.

County officials applaud state funding for a new recycling facility that will also help process food waste, as well as funding for a major highway. 14/County Road 44 over the next few years.

Rochester staff highlight the City Council’s recent decision to award $1.5 million to help Rochester International Airport secure new flights to Phoenix and Florida using low-cost carriers. They also tout relaxed tax-increment financing rules that they hope will attract more outside development; apartment complex north of the Mayo Civic Center could benefit from financial relief of up to $13 million.

The region’s largest employer, Mayo, continues its expansion plans. Documents show the first phase of construction of nearly 2 million square feet of new medical facilities will begin in August. Mayo officials say the first buildings will open in 2029.

“We’re heading toward something very big now,” said Dr. Clark Otley of the Mayo Clinic. “I don’t think any of us know what’s going to hit us. It’s going to be worse than we think.”

Rochester city officials are moving to manage the glut of infrastructure projects, with a new deputy city administrator and more community development staff. City Administrator Alison Zelms said she expects the additional tax base from completed projects to fund the expansion of services, transforming Minnesota’s third-largest city into a major metropolitan area.

“Fortunately, we have a lot of tools to do this,” Zelms said.