Official End to Lawsuit Over Rochester’s Newest Parking Ramp

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Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The legal fight over Rochester's newest parking ramp is officially over.

An Olmsted County Judge today issued an order to dismiss the case with prejudice, which means it cannot be refiled in the future. The lawsuit was filed by the City of Rochester against Collaborative Design Group and alleged the firm was responsible for a major flaw discovered in Ramp 6 not long after it opened in 2019.

The city and Collaborative Design Group earlier negotiated a settlement to the dispute that was approved by the Rochester City Council in March. It calls for the city to receive just over $2 million to cover legal and ramp repair-related expenses.

The city incurred about a half-million dollars in extra costs when the ramp was designed and constructed to allow for a future housing development on top of the parking structure. After the ramp opened and the city was in negotiations with a developer on a proposed 10- story residential project at the site, it was discovered there was insufficient structural and footing support for it.

The firm has denied any wrongdoing.