Knowledge Base

City of Rochester Formalizes Facility and Campus Naming Structure

October 13, 2025– ROCHESTER, MINN. – At the August 11 City Council Meeting, the Council approved a new naming structure for both individual buildings and multi-building campus sites. To support long-term flexibility as City departments grow and evolve, facility names will no longer include department names. Instead, names will focus on location and function. This approach lays the foundation for clearer communication, consistency and improved experience for staff, partners and the public.

As part of this shift, Council approved the following facility names and established three campuses:

• Maintenance Center: The facility currently under construction for the Street Maintenance and Parks & Forestry teams, which is expected to open in 2026.
• Transportation Center: The new name for the Public Works Transit Operations Center (PWTOC) that better reflects its role as the hub for the City’s public transit buses, fleet maintenance and traffic operations. Signs reflecting this name change are being installed on Monday, October 13.
• Downtown Campus: City Hall, Rochester Public Library, Law Enforcement Center
• East River Road Campus: Maintenance Center, Transportation Center, Rochester Public Utilities
• West River Parkway Campus: Development Services and Infrastructure Center, Rochester Police Department - North Station, Water Reclamation Plant

A City Campus is defined as three or more City-owned and operated buildings located in close proximity, typically along the same roadway. Campus names will be based on the road they’re located on, improving wayfinding and geographic clarity. Buildings that don’t meet the criteria, such as fire stations, the Recreation Center and 125 Live, will continue to be listed individually as standalone facilities.

For more information, read the full report.

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This story is also available on the City website.