HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 109-26 - Resolution - University of Minnesota Rochester - Sales Tax Funds
RESOLUTION
Approving the Release of Sales Tax Funds in Support of the University of
Minnesota Rochester Project.
WHEREAS, the Laws of 1998, Ch, 389, Article 8, Section 43, subd. 3, as amended by
stst
2005, 1 Special Session, Ch.3, Article 5, Section 28, and as amended by Laws 2011, 1
Special Session, Ch. 7, Article 4, Section 5, authorize the use of up to $14 million in sales
tax funds to the City of Rochester for its use for the University of Minnesota Rochester
academic and complementary facilities, as approved by the Rochester City Council; and
WHEREAS, during the City General Election held on November 6, 2012 the voters of the
City of Rochester approved the City of Rochester Sales Tax and Bond Referendum
Question, including the $14 million allocated to Minnesota Rochester University for
academic and complementary facilities; and
WHEREAS, the University Minnesota Rochester is seeking sales tax funds as part of a
$10.38 million capital project within the Discovery Square subdistrict of the DMC. The
project will convert 1,400 square feet of classroom space into hooded laboratory space
in One Discovery Square and develop approximately 12,603 square feet of teaching
laboratories, classrooms, and collaboration space in Two Discovery Square; and
WHEREAS, the University Minnesota Rochester Project aims to locate teaching,
laboratory, and workforce-development capacity inside Discovery Square, supporting one
of the conditions set for Discovery Square’s long-term success, talent employers,
innovators, and ecosystem partners need a visible workforce and learning pipeline
embedded in the district itself; and
WHEREAS, UMR enrollment increased from 938 students in Fall 2024 to 1,122 students
in Fall 2025, representing 20% single-year growth, with projections exceeding 2,500
students by 2030. Existing laboratory capacity is fully utilized. Without this investment,
UMR would likely need to cap enrollment growth or develop additional lab capacity
outside Discovery Square, reducing opportunities for collaboration within the district’s
innovation ecosystem; and
WHEREAS, the Project expands healthcare and life-science workforce capacity through
teaching laboratories, applied learning environments, and workforce development
programming integrated within Discovery Square. UMR’s partnership with the Mayo Clinic
School of Health Sciences and its expanding academic programs in nursing, digital
health, pharmacy, dentistry, and allied health underscore the project’s workforce
development value; and.
WHEREAS, it is recommended that the Rochester Common Council approve the release
of sales tax funds to UMR in amount not to exceed $4,697,088.05 to support the
University of Minnesota Rochester Project; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Rochester,
MN, that the Council authorized the release up to $4,697,088.05 in sales tax funds for the
proposed University of Minnesota Rochester upon submission of invoices and
documentation of expenses being reimbursed.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA, THIS __________ DAY OF _______________, 2026.
___________________________________
PRESIDENT OF SAID COMMON COUNCIL
ATTEST: __________________________
CITY CLERK
APPROVED THIS _____ DAY OF ______________________, 2026.
___________________________________
MAYOR OF SAID CITY
(Seal of the City of
Rochester, Minnesota)