Winner of the 2025 WLA Awards – Honourable Mention – Built Masterplan & Urban Design
Heart of the City & Discovery Walk re-imagines a car-centric streetscape of two city blocks and a plaza as a new public realm aligned with the city’s vibrant and diverse community.
Master Plan Principles
Home to the Mayo Clinic, downtown Rochester, Minnesota has recently completed two phases of a new public realm aimed at improving and harmonizing visitors’ experience as part of a $5.6 billion, 20-year economic development initiative. Involving the city and multiple stakeholder groups, our approach for the master plan centered around three main design principles that informed the design process: Creative Community Engagement, Make it about Art, and Healthy Place for People and Nature.
The inclusive design process involved 7 “Community Co-Designers” from underrepresented communities and over 70 public meetings. To represent the diverse population through inclusive programming, the parkway responds effectively to local needs and has designed safe, welcoming spaces for all.
Heart Of The City
The first phase, Heart of the City, re-imagines the car-centric streetscape of two city blocks and a plaza. The project transforms the hardscape-dominated spaces with strategic urban design interventions, including a central plaza that integrates public art from local and internationally renowned artists and water features, universal design interventions, including custom paving and furniture, and the addition of 117 street trees that utilize permeable paving and systems to ensure they thrive and provide access to nature downtown. Since opening in May 2022, the project has fulfilled its main goal of activating downtown Rochester. The plaza has hosted 100+ events and averages 2,500 pedestrians daily.
Discovery Walk
The second phase, Discovery Walk, transforms 2nd Avenue from a car-centric street into a pedestrian parkway, designed to support community and wellness. A key component of the plan, the reimagined street creates a new civic space and a four-block-long connection between the Mayo Clinic, Heart of the City, Discovery Square, and Soldiers Field. Designed for all seasons, the parkway was shaped by community feedback and emphasizes safety, connectivity, and social engagement.
Infrastructure
Combining site-specific artwork, pavilions, topography, and planting inspired by the Driftless region’s context, the project navigates complexities, including below-grade utilities for the medical campus and the city. The project includes investments in a new and updated network of at-grade and below-grade services, including rain gardens/ stormwater, snowmelt system, district heating and cooling, electrical, communication, natural gas, underground tunnels, water, and irrigation service.
Pedestrian Accessibility
Placing pedestrian accessibility at the forefront, Heart of the City and Discovery Walk feature flexible designs for bicycles and vehicular traffic. Flat curbs accommodate diverse activities and enable the public space to adapt for civic events, embodying a flexible model that supports community engagement and future development.
Collaborative Design & Strategic Urban Planning
With the first two phases complete, Heart of the City and Discovery Walk stand as a testament to the power of collaborative design and strategic urban planning. They serve as a destination for recreation, work, and social gatherings, celebrating Rochester’s natural beauty and cultural vitality. These green, activated spaces not only unite nature, community, and innovation, but also serve as a model for sustainable and wellness-focused urban development.
Heart of the City & Discovery Walk
Location: Rochester, Minnesota, USA
Designer Credit: Coen+Partners
Client: Destination Medical Center, City of Rochester
Collaborators/Other Consultants:
Architecture: El Dorado
Architecture: RSP Architects
Civil, Electrical & Structural Engineering: Kimley-Horn & Associates
Real Estate & Economic Development: HR&A Advisors
Pavillions: Latent Design
Public Artists: Sophia Chai, Ayub HajiOmar, Ann Hamilton, Eric Anderson, Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle, Gwen Westerman
Photographer Credits: Sahar Coston-Hardy, Corey Gaffer, Dean Riggott