As of 2024, more than 100 miles (24%) of the City’s streets are 50 years or older and 23% of the City’s streets are currently rated poor or fair condition.

• Prior to approval of the Local Sales Tax, Rochester was facing an annual shortfall of $20 million to adequately address current and future street maintenance needs for the city.  

• More than 30,000 workers commute from the region into Rochester each day, with that number expected to increase to 52,000 commuters by the year 2040.  

The street reconstruction project will help address the deteriorating streets by repairing and rebuilding existing stretches of roadway needing attention. While additional funds are required to address the full annual funding shortfall, the areas addressed with this project will benefit residents, the 33,000 workers who commute to Rochester, and the 3.1 million annual visitors alike by creating safer streets for all road users and promoting more efficient routes for traffic flow and travel.

Street reconstruction: $50 million 

Flood Control & Water Quality Project 

Voters approved $40 million to be invested to support and enhance the City’s flood control and improve water quality. Originally built in the 1980s and early 1990s, the current flood control system protects over $1.5 billion in assets by reducing peak floodwater discharge by more than 16% and safely directing floodwaters through the City.

Ongoing funding and maintenance are essential to ensure the system continues to operate at full capacity. Changing weather patterns and recent flood events have highlighted the need to expand the system and address localized flooding risks.

This investment will fund critical improvements, including:

• Regional detention basins for increased water storage and sediment removal
• Enhancements to existing floodwalls
• Riverbank stabilization projects

These projects will:

• Improve system performance
• Increase floodwater storage capacity
• Strengthen protection for developed areas
• Enhance water quality in the Zumbro River and its tributaries

By reducing flood risk and improving water quality, this initiative safeguards both the community and the environment.

Flood control and water quality: $40 million 

Regional Sports & Recreation Complex

The Rochester Sports and Recreation Complex will be a place for everyone – kids, families and adults of all ages – to get active, connect and enjoy the outdoors. This state-of-the-art facility will offer high-quality spaces for recreation and sports competition, making it easier for Rochester residents to play, compete or simply spend time together.  

Designed to host community use and amateur tournaments, the complex will add high-quality fields, courts, and walking trails that complement Rochester’s existing parks and recreation offerings, while easing pressure on our current, heavily used facilities.  

Planned amenities include: 

• Almost 2 miles in trail, which will include connections to Gamehaven Park and the Willow Creek Trail 
• Outdoor community gathering space
• 8 diamond artificial turf sports fields for softball and baseball 
• 2 rectangular artificial sports fields 
• 12 Pickleball courts
• Outdoor basketball court
• Accessible playground 
• Concessions and indoor restroom facilities
• Lighting throughout the complex, including around the fields and courts 
• Unprogrammed grass space

Along with serving local needs, the sports complex will help draw regional and state tournaments. That means more visitors coming to Rochester, staying in our hotels, eating at our restaurants and supporting local businesses. It’s an investment that builds community life here at home while strengthening the local economy. 

Regional sports and recreation complex: $65 million