Council Approves Plan For Former Downtown Rochester Restaurant

Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - The Rochester City Council has approved a request from University of Minnesota-Rochester to use local sales tax funds to convert the former Loop restaurant into a student lounge.

The space is part of the 318 Commons building that is used for UMR student housing.

The $2.5-million to cover the cost of the project will come from a special fund that was set up for UMR several years ago.

The Loop closed permanently in July, citing the pandemic and downtown construction issues.

UMR Chancellor Lori Carrell says the plan will allow UMR “to provide campus food options, a needed service we have not been able to provide students in the past.” She says “ we expect to offer a local business the opportunity to sub-lease the kitchen to meet our food service needs. 

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