Title
Amending RES 23-1515, Authorizing the City's ranked list of 2024 State G.O. bonding requests for submittal to Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB).
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul City Council passed RES 23-1515 on October 4, 2023, with the City's ranked list of 2024 State G.O. bonding requests for submittal to Minnesota Management and Budget (“MMB”); and
WHEREAS, MMB has advised the City of Saint Paul (“City”) that if the City wishes to change either project rankings or costs, a new or amended resolution from the Saint Paul City Council is required; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul wishes to adjust project cost amounts requested by the City of Saint Paul; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul wishes to adjust projects listed for the City’s previously ranked list of 2024 State G.O bonding requests passed in RES 23-1515 by the Saint Paul City Council; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul recognizes that all State 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 2024 capital project request to Minnesota Management and Budget is amended as follows to include updated information on the recommended State G.O. bonding projects, their rankings and their respective costs:
City of Saint Paul Previous Bonding Projects from RES 23-1515 (ranked):
1. Mississippi River Learning Center: requested appropriation of $20,000,000 for construction of a year-round environmental, cultural, and historical learning recreation center.
2. Como Zoo Big Cat Exhibit: requested appropriation of $22,000,000 for design, construction, and redevelopment of the cat animal habitats, operating systems, and expanded visitor accessibility.
3. River Balcony: requested appropriation of $22,000,000 for construction of a 1.5-mile promenade along downtown Saint Paul’s river bluff, connecting public spaces, civic landmarks, and development sites, providing new connections to the river and sparking economic development along the riverfront.
4. Cemstone Site (Urban Tennis): requested appropriation of $5,000,000 to convert a former demolition and concrete landfill into new tennis facility for Saint Paul Urban Tennis (SPUT), affordable housing, and a new city park.
5. Eastbound Kellogg Boulevard RiverCentre Bridge: requested appropriation of $51,900,000 for the removal and replacement of the existing Eastbound Kellogg Boulevard RiverCentre Bridge.
6. Randolph Avenue Bridge: requested appropriation of $11,600,000 for removal and replacement of the Randolph Avenue Bridge with a new bridge, including retaining walls, approach roadways, traffic signals and lighting.
7. Regional Sports Facility: requested appropriation of $30,000,000 for a versatile, dedicated multi-sport/multi-use regional athletic complex that would serve Saint Paul residents along with visitors from surrounding suburban cities.
8. Bruce Vento Bridge: requested appropriation of $24,000,000 for construction of a bicycle and pedestrian bridge that will connect two major regional trails and the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary to the Mississippi River and downtown Saint Paul.
9. Como Lakeside Pavilion: requested appropriation of $30,000,000 for rehabilitation and renovation of the existing Como Lakeside Pavilion to enhance public realm and connections between the building, lake and public facilities.
10. Phalen Lakeside Center: requested appropriation of $10,000,000 for renovation and expansion of Phalen Lakeside Center and to provide the boat house access to Phalen Lake for non-motorized paddle sports. Improvements also include storage, more suitable classroom/work/shop space, and concession space.
11. Lowertown Floodwall Mitigation: requested appropriation of $3,000,000 for final design and construction of deployable flood barriers in the Lowertown area in response to increasing Mississippi River flood events.
12. Hayden Heights Library: requested appropriation of $4,000,000 for renovation of the existing Hayden Heights Library and to transform it into a resource-rich hub that is welcoming, accessible, flexible, and reflects the cultures of the East Side community.
13. Riverview Library: requested appropriation of $5,700,000 for renovation and expansion of the existing Riverview Library and to transform the historic Carnegie library into a space that maximizes accessibility for all community members and represents the cultures and history of the West Side community.
14. Fire Station 7: requested appropriation of $4,000,000 for construction of a new Fire Station building on Saint Paul’s East Side. This location will replace the existing 92-year-old facility, which has become increasingly inadequate for serving the community and the regions emergency response needs.
15. Robert Street South Corridor: requested appropriation of $3,500,000 for pre-design work on three significant regional projects: Robert Street Bridge over the Mississippi River, Robert Street South (TH3) from the Bridge to Cesar Chavez Street, and the Robert Street Viaduct from Cesar Chavez to King Street.
16. Battle Creek Park Field Improvements: requested appropriation of $2,500,000 for redesign and construction improvements to the existing sports fields that are in poor condition and investment is needed to provide quality recreational opportunities in this well-used public park that is uniquely connected to a regional park operated by Ramsey County.
17. Belvidere Park Improvements: requested appropriation of $2,500,000 for redisgn and construction improvements to the existing sports fields that are in poor condition and investment is needed to provide quality recreational opportunities in this well-used park that is defined by two state highways and bluff.
18. Baker Park Improvements: requested appropriation of $3,000,000 for renovation of the existing recreation center which is in a WPA stone shelter building constructed in the 1930s. While the structure is architecturally pleasing, building improvements are needed to meet accessibility guidelines and support park functions.
19. Dale Street Public Works Campus: requested appropriation of $750,000 for predesign activities and a master plan for the redesign/redevelopment of the existing Dale Street site for Public Works maintenance and operations divisions, the Office of Financial Services Fleet Management group, and potential other partners such as the Forestry Unit within the Parks and Recreations Department.
City of Saint Paul Requested Amended Bonding Projects (ranked):
1. Mississippi River Learning Center: requested appropriation of $22,638,000 for construction of a year-round environmental, cultural, and historical learning recreation center.
2. Como Zoo Big Cat Exhibit: requested appropriation of $25,659,000 for design, construction, and redevelopment of the cat animal habitats, operating systems, and expanded visitor accessibility.
3. River Balcony: requested appropriation of $24,902,000 for construction of a 1.5-mile promenade along downtown Saint Paul’s river bluff, connecting public spaces, civic landmarks, and development sites, providing new connections to the river and sparking economic development along the riverfront.
4. Cemstone Site (Urban Tennis): requested appropriation of $5,876,000 to convert a former demolition and concrete landfill into new tennis facility for Saint Paul Urban Tennis (SPUT), affordable housing, and a new city park.
5. Eastbound Kellogg Boulevard RiverCentre Bridge: requested appropriation of $51,900,000 for the removal and replacement of the existing Eastbound Kellogg Boulevard RiverCentre Bridge.
6. Randolph Avenue Bridge: requested appropriation of $11,600,000 for removal and replacement of the Randolph Avenue Bridge with a new bridge, including retaining walls, approach roadways, traffic signals and lighting.
7. Regional Sports Facility: requested appropriation of $35,637,000 for a versatile, dedicated multi-sport/multi-use regional athletic complex that would serve Saint Paul residents along with visitors from surrounding suburban cities.
8. Phalen Lakeside Center: requested appropriation of $11,189,000 for renovation and expansion of Phalen Lakeside Center and to provide the boat house access to Phalen Lake for non-motorized paddle sports. Improvements also include storage, more suitable classroom/work/shop space, and concession space.
9. Battle Creek Park Field Improvements: requested appropriation of $2,894,000 for redesign and construction improvements to the existing sports fields that are in poor condition and investment is needed to provide quality recreational opportunities in this well-used public park that is uniquely connected to a regional park operated by Ramsey County.
10. Hayden Heights Library: requested appropriation of $4,000,000 for renovation of the existing Hayden Heights Library and to transform it into a resource-rich hub that is welcoming, accessible, flexible, and reflects the cultures of the East Side community.
11. Riverview Library: requested appropriation of $5,700,000 for renovation and expansion of the existing Riverview Library and to transform the historic Carnegie library into a space that maximizes accessibility for all community members and represents the cultures and history of the West Side community.