Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to establish the Rondo Restorative Development Authority. This organization will oversee the development, financing, and management of a land bridge in the Rondo neighborhood of St. Paul, Minnesota. This initiative aims to address historic racial injustices and economic disparities caused when an interstate highway displaced residents and businesses from the Rondo neighborhood during the 1950s.

Main Provisions

• Creation of the Authority: The bill establishes the Rondo Restorative Development Authority as a public body with the power to develop and manage the land bridge project.
• Board Membership: A 17-member board will manage the authority. Appointments include representatives from local community organizations, city officials, and state government.
• Operational Powers: The Authority is empowered to acquire property, manage development projects, and enter into agreements related to the land bridge. It can also form partnerships with other organizations or government bodies for the land bridge’s development and operation.
• Oversight and Governance: The authority must adopt bylaws, conduct annual audits, and is subject to public data and open meeting laws.

Significant Changes

• Property Acquisition and Management: The bill allows the authority to acquire real property and air rights necessary for constructing the land bridge, with potential lease periods of up to 99 years.
• Exemptions from Review: Transactions related to the land bridge are exempt from certain regional reviews and business subsidy requirements that typically apply to public projects.

Relevant Terms

• Rondo Restorative Development Authority
• Land bridge
• Rondo community
• Highway displacement
• Property acquisition
• Public body corporate
• Historic racial inequities
• Infrastructure improvements