Downtown Rochester Service Charge to Rise 4%

Rochester City Council reviews a proposed 4% increase to the Rochester Downtown Alliance service charge at a public hearing Monday.

Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Philanthropy

Downtown Rochester Service Charge to Rise 4%

Live Poll

Should Rochester's downtown service charge keep rising by 4% each year?

The Rochester Downtown Alliance has requested a 4% increase to its service charge, a $16,000 increase that would allow collection of $426,000 to support its 2027 activities. City Council will review the request at a public hearing Monday at 6 p.m. in the city-county Government Center.

Why it matters

The service charge is paid by roughly 150 downtown property owners and covers nearly a third of the Rochester Downtown Alliance's annual spending in Rochester. Council authorization is required before the increase can take effect for 2027.

The requested 4% increase would raise the service charge by $16,000 to $426,000 for 2027, an amount covering nearly a third of the RDA's annual spending of $1.3 million reported in 2025. Council approval has not yet been decided.

The players

Rochester Downtown Alliance

The Rochester Downtown Alliance is the downtown district organization that manages activities and programming in Rochester and is funded in part by its service charge.

Rochester City Council

The Rochester City Council is the municipal legislative body that must authorize the requested service charge increase for Rochester.

Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic is a major medical institution headquartered in Rochester that provides financial support to the Rochester Downtown Alliance.

The details

The Rochester Downtown Alliance's district stretches from Civic Center Drive to Soldiers Field Memorial Park and was established in 2005. The charge is based on individual property values and is adjusted annually under an agreement calling for increases between 4% and 8%, with the RDA also receiving support from Mayo Clinic and the city.

2005: The Rochester Downtown Alliance district was established.
2020: The RDA forwent a service charge increase amid COVID-19.
2021: The RDA saw the maximum 8% service charge increase.
2024: The district was most recently updated.
Monday, November 2, 2026: City Council holds a public hearing at 6 p.m. in the city-county Government Center.

Market Landscape

The requested 4% increase falls at the lower bound of the 4% to 8% annual range set by the Rochester Downtown Alliance's service charge agreement. The 2021 increase reached the 8% maximum, while the 2020 increase was forgone during COVID-19.

Property owners in the Rochester Downtown Alliance district would see their annual service charge rise by 4% if City Council approves the request. The charge is based on property values, so the dollar amount each owner pays will depend on their individual assessment.

The takeaway

Downtown property owners in Rochester should watch Monday's City Council hearing, since the decision will set the service charge that funds the Rochester Downtown Alliance's 2027 activities.

What happens next

City Council will hold a public hearing on the requested service charge increase at 6 p.m. Monday, November 2, 2026, in the city-county Government Center.