Access Philanthropy

Dozens of east metro projects to benefit from $2.5B in state construction funds

See a partial list of funded projects, many of which will require additional fundraising.

By  | [email protected] | Pioneer Press
PUBLISHED:  | UPDATED: 

Bipartisan infrastructure bills approved by the Minnesota Legislature in the final hours of the legislative session last week include dozens of east metro projects. The overall legislation combines $1.5 billion in state borrowing and about $1 billion from the historic budget surplus.

Democrats, who control the Legislature and the governor’s office, had threatened to pass a cash-only bill along party lines. But ultimately they also agreed to a GOP demand they spend $300 million on emergency funding for nursing homes.

The following is a partial list of funded projects, many of which will require additional fundraising or support from local, state and federal sources before construction can begin.

Capitol Complex

  • Demolition of the vacant but historic 1914 Ford Building on University Avenue, near the Minnesota State Capitol complex: $4.5 million.
  • Other Capitol Complex spending, including security upgrades and a sustainable building guidelines report: $18.5 million

Military, public safety training

  • Minnesota Army National Guard’s Readiness Center in Rosemount: $25 million.
  • A regional public safety training facility in Lakeville: $7.1 million.
  • Lake Johanna Fire Station headquarters in Shoreview: $6.37 million.
  • East Metro Public Safety training facility in Maplewood: $75,000.

Community colleges

  • Inver Hills Community College technology and business center: $22 million.
  • Metropolitan State University cyber security lab: $5 million.
  • St. Paul College academic excellence renovation design: $1.7 million.
  • St. Paul, Ramsey County
  • Kellogg Boulevard/Third Street bridge reconstruction in St. Paul: $25 million.
  • The Heights, which is the St. Paul Port Authority’s Hillcrest Golf Course redevelopment: $11 million
  • Mississippi River Learning Center in St. Paul’s Highland Park neighborhood: $8 million.
  • The Park at RiversEdge, a Ramsey County project that’s part of efforts to redevelop the site of the former county jail and West Publishing complex in downtown St. Paul: $6.2 million.
  • North End Community Center in St. Paul: $6 million.
  • Bruce Vento Regional Trail in Ramsey County: $5 million.
  • An inclusive playground in St. Paul: $2.5 million.
  • Conway Community Rec Center in St. Paul: $2.5 million.
  • Rice Street revitalization for Ramsey County: $1 million.

Cities

  • Woodbury Central Park remodel: $7.5 million.
  • Stillwater’s downtown improvements: $6 million.
  • Forest Lake flood hazard preparation: $5.7 million.
  • Scandia regional arts and heritage center: $2.2 million.
  • Inver Grove Heights’ Heritage Village Park: $2 million.
  • Mendota Heights restoration of Historic Pilot Knob: $1.85 million.
  • West St. Paul wastewater infrastructure: $1.7 million.
  • Apple Valley’s inclusive playground: $1.4 million.
  • Arden Hills water and sewer improvements: $510,000.
  • Forest Lake veterans memorial: $250,000.
  • County regional parks, trails
  • Metropolitan regional parks: $16.6 million.
  • Veterans Memorial Greenway in Dakota County: $5 million.
  • Minnesota River Regional Greenway in Dakota County: $5 million.
  • Thompson Park in Dakota County: $2 million.

Nonprofits

  • Proceed, a community center on Burns Avenue in St. Paul: $5 million.
  • Walker West Music Academy in St. Paul: $4.1 million.
  • Playwrights’ Center building renovation in St. Paul: $4 million.
  • Every Meal child hunger grant program in Roseville: $4 million.
  • Latino Economic Development Center renovation in St. Paul: $3.5 million.
  • The 30,000 Feet Black arts and tech center in St. Paul: $3.5 million.
  • Hmong 18 Council Inc., for a Hmong community center in St. Paul: $3 million.
  • Listening House shelter in St. Paul: $2.95 million.
  • Keystone Community Services food bank in Ramsey County: $2.6 million.
  • Lower Phalen Creek Project’s Wakan Tipi Center: $2.5 million.
  • YWCA St. Paul: $2.3 million.
  • Ain Dah Yung Center emergency shelter and youth lodge in St. Paul: $2.2 million.
  • Wellstone Center renovation in St. Paul: $2.15 million.
  • FilmNorth renovation in St. Paul: $2 million.
  • Special Guerrilla Unit Hmong veterans museum in St. Paul: $2 million.
  • Sanneh Foundation facility improvements in St. Paul: $1.82 million.
  • Accessible Space Inc., accessible housing units in St. Paul: $1.15 million.
  • African Economic Development Solutions in St. Paul: $1.5 million.
  • Irreducible Grace Foundation in the Black Youth Healing Arts Center in St. Paul: $1.5 million.
  • ReConnect Rondo Innovation Campus in St. Paul: $1 million.
  • St. Paul Urban Tennis: $750,000.
  • Washington County Heritage Society heritage center in Stillwater: $700,000.
  • Open Arms kitchen and counseling center in Ramsey County: $500,000.
  • Minnesota Transportation Museum in St. Paul: $100,000.
  • Other major spending
  • Hastings Veterans Home Campus: $77 million.
  • Metro Transit bus rapid transit projects: $72 million.
  • Minnesota Zoo upkeep and an animal hospital: $18 million.
  • Dakota County Behavioral Health grants: $6 million.
  • Statewide skate park grants: $4 million.