Bus Rapid Transit Chosen for Big Mayo Clinic-Adjacent Economic Development Program

Rochester, the third-most-populous city in Minnesota and birthplace of the Mayo Clinic, has approved a plan to build bus rapid transit.

1 minute read

October 28, 2019, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Mayo Clinic

Jacob Boomsma / Shutterstock

The City Council of Rochester, Minnesota, recently approved a proposal to build a bus rapid transit "circulator," over the wishes of Mayor Kim Norton, who prefers light rail.

"The proposed project would run from the Graham Park area, up Broadway Avenue, until it the road gets to 2nd Street SW, where it would then follow the street past Saint Marys, and out to the Cascade Lake area," according to an article published by KTTC.

The politics of transit and planning in the city of Rochester center around the Destination Medical Center public-private partnership, which leveraging the city's history as the origin of the Mayo Clinic for the benefit of economic development investment.

Mayor Kim Norton, insists bus rapid transit was not the envisioned transit mode "when she got funding from the state to help get Destination Medical Center off the ground," according to the article.

Monday, October 21, 2019 in KTTC

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

4 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

5 hours ago - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

6 hours ago - Newsweek

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.