HF4855

Purpose

• Provide a state-funded grant to the city of St. Cloud for the design, construction, and improvement of the St. Cloud Mississippi Riverwalk Connection, creating a connected riverfront path and related amenities.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation: 3,150,000 from the bond proceeds fund is allocated to the commissioner of employment and economic development to grant to the city of St. Cloud for the Mississippi Riverwalk Connection Project.
• Scope of project: The grant covers design, engineering, construction, and equipment for the riverwalk project, including grading, trail and pathway construction, pedestrian crossings (if necessary), lighting, landscaping, riverbank stabilization, shoreline restoration, utility work, and related public infrastructure improvements.
• Financing: The money is to be provided through the sale of state bonds up to 3,150,000, following Minnesota bonding statutes and constitutional provisions.

Funding and Financing Details

• Bond proceeds fund: Source of the appropriation.
• Bond issuance: The commissioner of management and budget must sell and issue bonds up to the stated amount, under the applicable statutes (Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675) and the Minnesota Constitution (Article XI, sections 4 to 7).

Administration and Oversight

• Grant administration: The grant is issued by the commissioner of employment and economic development to the city of St. Cloud.
• Oversight framework: Uses the state’s existing bonding laws and constitutional provisions to govern the bond sale and use of funds.

Significance and Impact

• Local development: Enables capital investment in St. Cloud’s riverfront area, potentially boosting recreation, aesthetics, and economic activity through improved public infrastructure and river/front shoreline enhancements.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new appropriation and authorization to issue bonds specifically for this riverwalk project. It does not amend the bonding statutes themselves but leverages them to fund the St. Cloud Mississippi Riverwalk Connection.

Relevant Terms - Mississippi Riverwalk Connection - St. Cloud - bond proceeds fund - appropriation - grant - design, engineer, construct, and equip - grading - trail and pathway construction - pedestrian crossings - lighting - landscaping - riverbank stabilization - shoreline restoration - utility work - related public infrastructure improvements - bond sale / issuing bonds - Minnesota Statutes 16A.631 to 16A.675 - Minnesota Constitution Article XI sections 4 to 7 - commissioner of employment and economic development - commissioner of management and budget - bond proceeds fund - capital investment