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Authorizing the City's ranked list of 2026 State General Obligation bonding requests for submittal to Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB).
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WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul recognizes that all State General Obligation (G.O.) bonds have certain common requirements. They must be for a public purpose, authorized in the constitution, specified in law, and mature in not more than 20 years; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul understands that the principal purpose for which state G.O. bonds are issued is to acquire and better public land and buildings and to make other public capital improvements; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul understands that a capital project, in general, is to acquire or improve fixed assets, such as land or buildings; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul understands that bonds issued under the capital improvements provision may only be for publicly owned projects, whether state or local; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul requests support from the Minnesota State Legislature to fund capital projects to improve the City’s infrastructure, public recreation, and economic development needs, understanding that City projects must be ranked; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul supports requests to the Minnesota State Legislature for capital investment needs of nonprofit partner projects after the City’s bonding priorities are funded; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, that its 2026 capital project request to Minnesota Management and Budget include the following State G.O. bonding projects:
City of Saint Paul Bonding Projects (ranked):
1. Grand Casino Arena Renovations: requested appropriation of $XXXX for safety and security updates to modern standards including more efficient ingress and egress, needed infrastructure improvements, and to extend the competitive lifespan of the city-owned arena so that the arena may continue to host world-class events and concerts well as community and cultural celebrations that showcase the heart of the city.
2. RiverCentre Convention Center Renovations: requested appropriation of $XXXX for critical infrastructure and equipment upgrades to modernize a key event space in order to maintain the facility's ability to attract large-scale conventions and other events that will bring visitors and economic vitality to downtown Saint Paul.
3. Roy Wilkins Auditorium Renovations: requested appropriation of $XXXX for substantial improvements and renovations to a 94-year-old facility to compete for new events that do not currently come to Minnesota due to lack of this size venue, boost tourism in Saint Paul, benefit local businesses, and drive economic development for the state and region.
4. Mississippi River Learning Center: requested appropriation of $XXXX for new construction of a year-round environmental, cultural, and historical learning recreation center at Crosby Farm Regional Park where the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers join together.
5. Como Zoo and Conservatory Big Cat Exhibit and Bridge Reconstruction: requested appropriation of $XXXX for reconstruction and redevelopment of the big cat animal habitats, bridge structure, operating system upgrades, and expanded visitor accessibility to allow Como Zoo to continue providing big cat zoological experiences at no cost to the people of Saint Paul, the region, and the state.
6. Eastbound Kellogg Boulevard RiverCentre Bridge Reconstruction: requested appropriation of $XXXX for the removal and replacement of the existing 89-year-old Eastbound Kellogg Boulevard RiverCentre Bridge to improve safety, accessibility, and multi-modal transportation in the downtown entertainment district.
7. Randolph Avenue Bridge Reconstruction: requested appropriation of $XXXX for removal and replacement of the Randolph Avenue Bridge with a new bridge, including retaining walls, approach roadways, traffic signals, and lighting.