Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to establish the Rondo Restorative Development Authority to manage the development and operation of a land bridge in the Rondo neighborhood of St. Paul, Minnesota. The primary goal is to facilitate economic development and address historical racial inequities that occurred due to the construction of an interstate freeway through the Rondo neighborhood in the 1950s, which resulted in significant community disruption and loss of homes and businesses.

Main Provisions

• Establishment of Authority: The Rondo Restorative Development Authority will be a public entity responsible for the land bridge's development and long-term operations.
• Real Estate and Property Management: The authority will oversee the transfer of state real estate interests, including air rights and development of private entities, for the land bridge project.
• Board Composition: The authority will be managed by a 17-member board appointed by various local and state entities, including representatives from community organizations and public officials.
• Powers and Responsibilities: The authority can acquire, lease, and dispose of property, develop and manage the land bridge, and enter into agreements with governmental entities. It can also establish nonprofits or collaborations to support the project.
• Financial Operations: The authority may use public funds, accept gifts, grants, loans, and enter into financial agreements necessary for the project's success.

Significant Changes

• Creation of a New Authority: A new entity, the Rondo Restorative Development Authority, is introduced to specifically handle the land bridge project, differing from existing municipal or state agencies.
• Exemption from Certain Reviews: The land bridge project will be exempt from some reviews typically required by the Metropolitan Council and the Business Subsidy Act, streamlining the development process.

Relevant Terms

• Rondo Restorative Development Authority
• Land bridge
• Rondo neighborhood
• Economic development
• Racial inequities
• Interstate freeway
• Real estate interests
• Infrastructure improvements