Dayton recommends funding for Mayo Civic Center project
Governor Dayton will submit a nearly $1 billion bonding package to the Minnesota legislature when it convenes next month. Dayton released the long list of proposed projects today and it includes $37 million for Rochester’s planned expansion of the Mayo Civic Center, which is what the city had been seeking. It also calls for spending $233 million on the state’s higher education systems, $126 million to finish the state Capitol restoration project and $80 million on transportation. Dayton says if approved, the projects would create more than 27,000 construction jobs.
** here is the summary of Dayton's announcement:
Regional Civic Centers and Downtown Improvements
The Governor’s bonding proposal invests over $104 million in downtown areas and regional centers statewide – projects that will create jobs, attract additional private investment, and support economic development in communities across Minnesota. Some of those downtown investments include:
$37 million for the Rochester Mayo Civic Center expansion
$20 million for revitalization of Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis
$14.5 million for a new addition to the Mankato Civic Center (Minnesota State Arena)
$14 million to expand and renovate the Children’s Museum in downtown St. Paul
$11.6 million for an expansion of the St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center
$6.9 million for renovation of the historic NorShor Theatre in Duluth
Higher Education
Governor Dayton’s bonding proposal also invests $233 million in our state’s higher education systems to ensure that Minnesota students have access to world-class labs, classrooms, and training for the jobs of the future. Highlights of education projects included in the Governor’s bill include:
$80 million for asset preservation and replacement at MnSCU and University of Minnesota campuses statewide ($40 million in HEAPR funds for each system)
$74 million for additional infrastructure improvements at 17 MnSCU campuses statewide
$56.7 million for renovation of the University of Minnesota’s Tate Science and Teaching building
$12 million for the University of Minnesota’s Research and Laboratory Improvement Fund
Roads and Bridges
Investing in strong, reliable transportation infrastructure is a critical part of building an economic environment where businesses can thrive. Repairing our roads and bridges for the future with smart investments will help support and attract businesses, and put hundreds of Minnesotans back to work in the construction trades. That is why the Governor’s bonding proposal invests over $79 million in transportation infrastructure. Some of those projects include:
$30 million to fund bridge repair and replacements statewide
$29 million for roads and bridges at the TCAAP site in Arden Hills
$10 million for local roads improvements
State Capitol Restoration
The Governor’s bonding proposal invests an additional $126.3 million to complete the state Capitol restoration process. Completing the restoration will ensure the building remains functional and safe for the next 100 years. For three decades, plans for repairing the aging building have been debated and neglected. But the funding provided in this bonding proposal will complete restoration of the building by the end of 2016. Restoration measures include repairs to the deteriorating building façade, and modernization of the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, life-safety, security, and telecommunications systems.
Other Investments
The proposal also includes additional investments in projects of statewide and regional importance. Some of those projects include:
$70.7 million for clean drinking water investments and wastewater treatment projects
$56.3 million for the remodeling of the outdated Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter
$54.6 million for natural resource projects including asset preservation, parks and trails, and land restoration
$50 million for housing infrastructure and rehabilitation (which would be the largest ever bonding investment in affordable housing)
$17 million investment in transit improvements
$12 million for economic development projects and grant programs
$7.8 million for pollution control initiatives
$4 million investment in veterans initiatives
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