HF4132

Purpose

This bill would provide state funding to upgrade the Duluth International Airport by building a new air traffic control tower base building. It focuses on improving facilities and support for airport operations.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation of 4,000,000 from the bond proceeds fund to the commissioner of transportation to grant money to the Duluth Airport Authority. The money is for designing, constructing, furnishing, and equipping a new air traffic control tower base building at the Duluth International Airport.
• The project would include administrative offices, office support spaces, equipment rooms, workspaces, logistic support spaces, and related site support areas.
• The project scope also covers site preparation, demolition of obsolete buildings, construction and installation of utilities, a stormwater retention system, and replacement of an existing fuel tank.
• A portion of the funds may be used as a match to federal funding for the project.
• Bonding and financing: The commissioner of management and budget would sell and issue state bonds up to 4,000,000 to provide the money, under the applicable Minnesota statutes and constitutional provisions.

Funding and Financing Details

• Source: bond proceeds fund.
• Amount: up to 4,000,000.
• Financing mechanism: sale and issuance of state bonds by the commissioner of management and budget.

Project Scope and Impact

• Focuses on the design, construction, furnishing, and equipping of a new air traffic control tower base building to support Duluth International Airport operations.
• Includes office and support spaces, equipment rooms, and logistics areas intended to improve airport infrastructure and operations.
• Infrastructure work includes site work, utilities, stormwater retention, and updating fuel tank infrastructure.

Legal and Administrative Details

• The project is funded as a capital investment regardless of changes to other laws, with references to Minnesota Statutes 16A.631–16A.675 and Minnesota Constitution Article XI (sections 4–7) guiding the bond issuance process.

Significance

• Aims to modernize and strengthen airport operations at Duluth International Airport by adding a dedicated air traffic control tower base building, potentially improving safety, efficiency, and capacity.

Relevant Terms - Air traffic control tower base building - Duluth International Airport - Duluth Airport Authority - bond proceeds fund - grant - design - construct - furnish - equip - offices - office support spaces - equipment rooms - workspaces - logistic support spaces - site support area - demolition of obsolete buildings - utilities - stormwater retention system - fuel tank replacement - federal funding - match to federal funding - commissioner of transportation - bond sale - Minnesota Statutes 16A.631 to 16A.675 - Minnesota Constitution Article XI sections 4 to 7