City Council Renews Special Service District for 10 Years
Release Date: July 22, 2015
Contact: Ender Göçmen
Rochester Downtown Alliance
Office: (507) 216-9886
Email: egocmen@rdowntownalliance.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City Council Renews Special Service District for 10 Years
ROCHESTER, Minn.---July 22, 2015---The Rochester Downtown Alliance (RDA) is enthusiastic after the Rochester City Council approved the 10 year Special Services District (SSD) renewal proposed during the City Council meeting on Monday, July 20.
“I am pleased and excited that both the property owners and City Council have provided the green light for the RDA to move forward,” said Jenna Bowman, RDA Executive Director. “The organization is very aware of the important role that we have and will play in growing and ensuring the vitality of downtown. I would like to thank Chancellor Lehmkuhle, Audrey Betcher, Chris Tatting, Mark Steege and Gail Eadie. All of these individuals have served as RDA Board Chairs and also on the RDA Special Service District Renewal Task Force. Here’s to celebrating the accomplishments of the past 10 years and moving into the next 10,” Bowman said.
The renewal period will take effect January 1, 2016, which also marks the 11th year of the SSD and the RDA.
"As we celebrate our 10 year anniversary and the passing of our 10 year renewal, we have plenty to be happy about and look forward to,” said Dan C. Aguilar, RDA Board Chair. “We are most excited to continue leading the organization with extreme care, intentionality and commitment,” he said.
The RDA was incorporated as a Minnesota non-profit in 2005 to help establish and maintain a SSD in downtown Rochester. The district’s boundaries cover approximately 44 blocks and encompass much of the city’s downtown. The renewal maintains a 44-block area.
The RDA is most notable for its signature events like SocialICE, Thursdays on First & 3rd, Movies on the Plaza, and STYLE on the Plaza while introducing new programing like The RedBall Project. Events like these brought & entertained almost 400,000 people in 2014.
Aside from events, the RDA facilitates other programs like the Façade Improvement Grant Program, which has issued over 50 Façade Improvement grants resulting in just under $1.7 million in property improvements with a $500,000 investment.
The Downtown Rochester Gift Card Program is another initiative the RDA facilitates, which has seen over $15,000 in gift cards sold since October 2013. Downtown gift cards are only usable at businesses located within the 44-block SSD per the approval of the business. There are currently 70 businesses that accept the downtown gift card. There is no cost for a business to participate in the gift card program.
###