Former Kmart, AMPI redevelopment plans emerging
Nov. 12—ROCHESTER — Plans for the former Kmart and AMPI sites in southeast Rochester
continue to emerge.
Camegaran LLC, which owns the 23.5 acres on the east side of the Zumbro River between Sixth and Ninth streets, plans to hold a neighborhood informational meeting Monday to discuss a general development plan it intends to submit to the city later this year.
"This general development plan seeks to build upon and formally memorialize the goals of the (Downtown Waterfront SE: Small Area Plan)," states materials submitted ahead of Monday's meeting.
The small-area plan was completed in 2021 and sought to define what could be built in a 60-acre area bounded by Fourth Street Southeast to the north, South Broadway Avenue to the west, Ninth Street Southeast to the south and Third Avenue Southeast to the east.
It focused on adding new retail opportunities, transit connections and housing options between the downtown core and existing neighborhoods.
The former Kmart and AMPI sites were part of that plan, which was created with the help of Camegaran, the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency and neighborhood representatives.
The neighborhood meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday will be held in the Hawthorne Education Center, 700 Fourth Ave. SE, is a required opportunity for added public comment before the plan is submitted to the city.
It will also be available online at
Deputy Director of Community Development Ryan Yetzer said the general development plan sets some parameters for future development, but each project in the plan will face individual review when it moves forward. The broader plan is not expected to be subject to future public hearings once submitted.
According to information provided ahead of Monday's meeting, Camegaran plans to create the potential for the extension of First and Second avenues through the area, as well as Sixth and Eighth streets, with reliance on a planned Sixth Street bridge over the Zumbro River.
Ninth Street Southeast, south of the project, is slated to remain a primary connection between Broadway and Third avenues.
Information on anticipated traffic impacts indicate the first five years of development could include the creation of a 150-room hotel, a supermarket, restaurant and commercial strip mall.
A second phase is listed as including an expansion of retail space, the creation of 750 affordable housing units and 750 other multi-family housing units, as well as potential office space.
Following Monday's neighborhood meeting, Camegaran will have 30 days to file the development plan with the city.
A lease agreement signed with the city and Mayo Clinic to provide parking on the site calls for the use to end in 2028, with preliminary construction documents to be submitted to the city by the end of 2029.
