Mayo Clinic’s ‘Unbound’ Impact Report Ready for Board Review

Sept. 22—ROCHESTER — An updated study of the potential impacts of Mayo Clinic’s $5 billion “Bold. Forward. Unbound. in Rochester” project is expected to be considered for formal adoption by the city.

The original draft of the Alternative Urban Areawide Review was filed with the city for review on May 20, and the updated 363-page version includes responses from state agencies.

The report, commonly referred to as the AUAR, combines elements of an environmental assessment worksheet and environmental impact statement review processes. The main 59-page document uses a list of questions adapted from the environmental worksheet, but an analysis that reflects comparable impacts in an urban area. The multi-page supplemental documents submitted under the AUAR include a variety of supporting details.

In a report to Rochester City Council, Community Development Planner Elliot Mohler said: “Environmental analysis information from an AUAR is used to inform local planning and zoning decisions by assessing how proposed development will affect the community’s environment before development occurs.”

As the local governing body responsible for overseeing the report regarding the Mayo Clinic expansion project, the City Council will be asked to formally adopt the AUAR at its regular meeting at 6 p.m. Monday in the Council Chambers at the City-County Government Center, 151 Fourth St. SE.

The report reflects the study of a nearly 20-acre area, which includes 14 parcels generally north of Second Street Southwest and south of Civic Center Drive. The western boundary is Seventh Avenue Northwest and the eastern boundary of the area is First Avenue Northwest.

The planned expansion project includes the construction of four new medical buildings and the expansion of the existing Prospect utility plant.

The extensive report includes studies of traffic patterns, wildlife habitat details, contaminated soil notices, proposed parking plans and a variety of other details in an effort to identify any environmental issues before new construction begins.

It also outlines preliminary plans for some changes, including how patients will access the Gonda and Mayo buildings using a new street through Annenberg Plaza during planned construction.

In addition to city staff, the report was reviewed by state agencies including the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office.

The document review process began in February, with a submission to the state Environmental Quality Board, which was followed by the filing of the current draft report with the city.

The Environmental Quality Council’s comment and objection periods ended on September 4, 2024.

While the Rochester City Council is being asked to formally adopt the AUAR, this decision does not mean that the city will approve future applications related to the project. Future development plans will have to follow the city’s established review and approval process.

Meetings scheduled for the week of September 23 include:

Rochester

—City Council, Monday at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the City-County Government Center, 151 Fourth St. SE. The meeting will be broadcast live at www.rochestermn.gov/meetings/council-meetings and will be available on Spectrum cable channel 180 or 188.

—Police Civil Service Commission, Tuesday at 3 p.m. in Room 164 of the Development and Infrastructure Services Center.

—Public Utility Board, 4 p.m. Tuesday in the Rochester Public Utilities Community Room, 4000 East River Road NE.

—Heritage Preservation Commission, Tuesday at 5 p.m. in the council chamber of the Government Center.

—Planning and Zoning Commission, Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the Government Center Council Chambers.

Olmsted County

—Education Commissioner for Children and Family Services, 5 p.m. Tuesday at 2117 Campus Drive SE.

—Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments, noon Wednesday in Conference Room 186 at 2122 Campus Drive SE in Rochester.

Rochester Public Schools

—School board, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Edison Building conference room, 615 Seventh St. SW.

Destination Medical Center

—DMC Corp. Board of Directors Meeting, Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at the Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive SE