Title
Approving the preliminary 2014 capital investment bonding priorities.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul supports the following capital investment items as part of its
2014 Legislative Agenda; and
WHEREAS, this list communicates the City of Saint Paul's priorities prior to the June 21, 2013 deadline for submission to the Minnesota Office of Management and Budget; and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Children's Museum educates hundreds of thousands of Minnesota youth with their programs and facilities and has the ability to expand its size and reach; and
WHEREAS, recent investments in the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory have significantly increased regional and statewide attendance, resulting in the need for improved access and circulation options; and
WHERAS, a renovated Palace Theater will bring more than 100 event nights to Saint Paul annually, drawing 200,000 statewide visitors each year and redeveloping an underutilized and historic building in the heart of downtown Saint Paul; and
WHEREAS, the home of Twin Cities Public Television in downtown Saint Paul will serve as a gateway to the new Green Line and renovated Union Depot and will increase its public awareness through access and media arts; and
WHEREAS, the growing demands of the Saint Paul Police Department and hundreds of regional partners, coupled with the deteriorating and insufficient training facilities afforded at the current police annex building, necessitate design and construction of a new regional public safety facility in Saint Paul; and
WHEREAS, the ongoing redevelopment of the Mississippi Riverfront and establishment of Great
River Passage requires planning and pre-design; and
WHEREAS, the Seals and Sea Lions exhibit has been a fixture at Como Zoo for more than 50 years; yet due to changing federal regulatory requirements for marine mammals, habitat preservation of the exhibit is needed; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Saint Paul lists its preliminary 2014 capital investment priorities as follows:
1. Minnesota Children's Museum $14 million
2. Como Park Access and Circulation Improvements $8.9 million
3. The Historic Palace Theater Renovations $6 million
4. Twin Cities Public Television Renovations $9 million
5. Regional Public Safety Facility in Saint Paul $6.5 million
6. Great River Passage River Recreation & Environmental Education Center $1.56 million
7. Como Seals and Sea Lions Exhibit Renewal $13.83 million
And BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the following projects are supported by the City of Saint Paul and should be made a priority of Minnesota state agencies:
Metropolitan State
· Support the Metro State Science Center construction project.
Saint Paul College
· Support the Culinary Arts Lab and Machine Tool renovation projects;
· Support the Health and Science Alliance Center addition project.
MnDOT Bridge Funds
· Support replacement of the Dale Street Bridge over I-94;
· Support replacement of the Aldine pedestrian bridge over I-94;
· Support funds for betterments and facade improvements to I-94 bridges east of downtown.
Metropolitan Council - Parks and Trails
· Support 2014 bonding request for Metro Parks Implementing Agencies.
Saint Paul Port Authority
· Support harbor area dock wall and road infrastructure improvements;
· Support UEL site improvements;
· Support 3M site infrastructure.