One of Rochester’s Oldest Parks Could Be Designated a Historic Landmark

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Rochester City Council will consider designating one of the city’s oldest parks as a historic landmark. 

See Also: Zone Change Request for Apartment Building Near Mayo Civic Center 

In 2017, the city council added it to the city’s historic property inventory. 

The Heritage Preservation Commission voted to recommend designating the park as a historic landmark in October of this year. 

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Rochester City Council to Consider Designating Central Park as Historic Landmark

Central park, located at 225 1st Ave NW, was one of only two parks in Rochester until 1906, the agenda item says. 

The park was used as a public square for civic and entertainment events, including weekly concerts, from 1879 until the mid 20th century. 

It now serves as the temporary hub for Rochester Public Transit as work on the usual hub, located along 2nd St. SW, continues on construction of the Link Bus Rapid Transit line and for Mayo Clinic’s $5 billion downtown Rochester expansion.  

The State Historic Preservation Office indicated the park lacks historic integrity due to none of the structures on the property not appearing until 1945 at the earliest, however  the city’s Heritage Preservation Commission determined the park “retains its historic design, making it clearly recognizable in its original form as a public square,” the agenda item states. 

Heritage Preservation Commission Members agreed that the park meets two of the eight criteria needed to designate a site as a historic landmark, according to  the agenda item. 

The Rochester City Council set to vote on the historic landmark designation on Monday.