HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/3/2021 DMCC Collaborative Session - Presentation (Covid Impact Analysis)DMC COVID-19 Impact Analysis | 1
DMC COVID-19 Impact Analysis
DMC –City –County Collaborative Session
DMC COVID-19 Impact Analysis | 2
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DMC COVID-19 Impact Analysis | 3
March Feb ‘21
CONTEXT
As the 3rd largest city in Minnesota,Rochester’s recovery is
critical for the state.
CUMULATIVE COVID-19 CASES IN MINNESOTA
Source: MN Department of Labor, COVID tracking, Minnesota Reformer
2010 Dec -2020
MONTHLY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN MINNESOTA
DMC COVID-19 Impact Analysis | 4HR&A Advisors, Inc.
CONTEXT
Rochester’s economic recovery from COVID has broad implications for
Southeast Minnesota.
•Rochester is a significant
in Southeast
Minnesota, in part due to the DMC’s
investments and future development
plans.
•of the 170K+ jobs in
Southeast Minnesota are
•31% of Downtown Rochester
, the
majority of whom live in other parts of
Southeast Minnesota.
Source: HR&A Analysis –SE MN Regional Forecasting Study, LEHD On the Map
Goodhue
Wabasha
OlmstedDodge Winona
Mower Fillmore Houston
DMC COVID-19 Impact Analysis | 5
The economic recovery from COVID will take place over three stages.
DMC COVID-19 Impact Analysis | 6
•There is a lot of uncertainty around the full impact of COVID-19.
•Pre-COVID-19, Rochester had a growing economy.Development was largely aligned with
demand.
•Rochester will have excess capacity in downtown office space due to job loss and growth in
remote work.
•Downtown retail and restaurants that are dependent on employees and visitors will be
disproportionately affected when compared to counterparts with a broader customer base.
•Hotels have experienced a precipitous drop in occupancy rates. With Rochester’s hotel
pipeline, the market will continue to see occupancy rates below historical averages.
•Housing demand appears to be remaining relatively strong. Growth in downtown residential
will help to support the core’s retail businesses.
HR&A applied its economic impact findings to update the DMC Phase 2
development plans.
DMC COVID-19 Impact Analysis | 7
The DMC and downtown development will need to remain nimble as economic
recovery becomes clearer.
•Unlike natural disasters, this pandemic hit every city in the country. However, not all are
developing recovery strategies.
•Despite significant losses, Rochester has faired better than other cities.
•Rochester is starting its recovery from a place of strength. It had a robust and growing
economy, the healthcare industry and Mayo Clinic provide stability during weak economies,
and the city has the tools from the DMC to support growth.
DMC COVID-19 Impact Analysis | 8
Future economic development strategies should…
1.Support development proactively
2.Prioritize public infrastructure
3.Diversify the economy
4.Support existing local businesses
5.Reuse excess real estate capacity creatively
6.Attract work-from-anywhere talent
DMC COVID-19 Impact Analysis | 9
Future economic development strategies should…
•Zoning and land use
•Expedited entitlements and approvals
•Financial incentives like TIF and tax
abatements for mission-aligned
development
•Land banking
DMC COVID-19 Impact Analysis | 10
•Infrastructure makes cities more livable and
attractive
•Public realm
•Streetscape
•Transit and mobility
•Broadband
Future economic development strategies should…
DMC COVID-19 Impact Analysis | 11
•Rochester brand and research can help to
attract spinoff jobs and adjacent life
sciences industries
•Leverage regional assets like the airport for
potential distribution
Future economic development strategies should…
DMC COVID-19 Impact Analysis | 12
Future economic development strategies should…
•Short-term funding focus
•Restaurants located on wide sidewalks, parking lots,
or public spaces adapted to outdoor eating, but were
constrained in winter.
•Longer-term strategies may consider:
•Diversify customer base to grow demand
•Business support services like technical
assistance for tech adoption, marketing
assistance, grants for façade and other capital
improvements
•Grow retail cluster to support vibrant destination
DMC COVID-19 Impact Analysis | 13
Future economic development strategies should…
•Urban hotels have become temporary offices,
schools, emergency housing, and homeless shelters
•After the Great Recession, urban cores with high
office vacancy rates, low rents, and demand for
multifamily housing saw some Class B/C office
properties converted to residential
•Property owners facing ground floor vacancies may
need to reconsider their tenanting approach by
lowering rents to retailers and/or creatively using
spaces, like for art installations, medical offices,
community centers, or product showrooms
•Obsolete real estate products become prime
redevelopment sites in the long-run
Following the increase in COVID vacancies, the town of
Southampton, NY, requires storefront owners to work with
artists to show their work in windows when storefronts are
vacant
The historic Chocolate Works factory in Philadelphia has been
converted to residential lofts.
DMC COVID-19 Impact Analysis | 14
•Cities should strive to attract those with
work-from-anywhere jobs
•High quality-of-life will drive decisions, and
include:
•Affordable and accessible housing
•Broadband
•Amenities of city-living (e.g.restaurants
and bars, walkability) and access to open
space
•A unique and distinct city brand
•Airport access
Future economic development strategies should…
DMC COVID-19 Impact Analysis | 15
DMC COVID-19 Impact Analysis
DMC –City –County Collaborative Session