SF1401

Purpose

This bill proposes a capital investment project to create a public realm over Shepard Road in the city of St. Paul. It authorizes the sale of state bonds to fund a grant to Ramsey County for the project, and directs specific steps to plan and build the public space and related infrastructure.

Main Provisions

• Subdivision 1 – Appropriation: The bill would appropriate $20,000,000 from the bond proceeds fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development. The funds would be used for a grant to Ramsey County to predesign, design, engineer, construct, furnish, and equip a public realm in the city of St. Paul over a portion of Shepard Road and adjacent rail lines, including related infrastructure.
• Subdivision 2 – Bond Sale: To provide the money, the commissioner of management and budget would sell and issue state bonds totaling up to $20,000,000. The bond issuance would follow Minnesota statutes 16A.631 to 16A.675 and the requirements of Minnesota Constitution Article XI (sections 4 to 7).

What the Bill Seeks to Accomplish

• Establish a funded plan to create or enhance a public realm in a specific area of St. Paul, improving public space and related infrastructure over Shepard Road and nearby rail lines.
• Translate the project into a financed effort by issuing state bonds and providing a grant mechanism to Ramsey County through the Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new appropriation within the capital investment framework specifically for a public realm project in St. Paul.
• Authorizes the issuance of up to $20,000,000 in state bonds to finance the project, expanding the bond-issuing authority to support this specific public realm initiative.

Funding and Implementation Details

• Funding Source: Bond proceeds fund.
• Implementing Agency: Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development (for the grant to Ramsey County).
• Recipient: Ramsey County, for the stated public realm project over Shepard Road.
• Execution Scope: Includes predesign, design, engineering, construction, furnishing, and equipping, plus related infrastructure.

Compliance and Legal Framework

• Bond issuance would be conducted under Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675.
• Bond terms and authority would align with Minnesota Constitution Article XI, sections 4 through 7.

Potential Impacts

• Improved public space and infrastructure in the Shepard Road area.
• Economic and community development opportunities associated with enhanced public realm.

Relevant Terms - public realm - Shepard Road - St. Paul - Ramsey County - grant - predesign - design - engineer - construct - furnish - equip - infrastructure - bond proceeds fund - bond sale - Minnesota Statutes 16A.631 to 16A.675 - Minnesota Constitution Article XI - Department of Employment and Economic Development