HF5032

Purpose

This bill would provide funding to repair and restore a historic bridge in Redwood Falls. It would allocate money from the state’s bond proceeds fund to support a grant for the city to design and rebuild the WPA-era Swayback Bridge (built in 1938). The goal is to preserve the bridge’s granite and masonry exterior.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation of 1,300,000 from the bond proceeds fund to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (the commissioner) to grant to the City of Redwood Falls. The grant covers design and construction for restoring the historic Swayback Bridge No. 89859, including work such as cofferdam access, stone replacement, and tuckpointing to protect the exterior.
• The grant is exempt from certain state requirements listed in specific Minnesota statutes (16B.32, 16B.325, 216C.19, and 216C.20).
• Bond financing: The state management and budgeting office (the commissioner of management and budget) would issue bonds up to 1,300,000 to pay for this appropriation. The bonds would be issued under state statutes (16A.631 to 16A.675) and the Minnesota Constitution (Article XI, sections 4 to 7).

How the Bill Changes Law or Practice

• Creates a targeted, one-project appropriation funded by state bonds for a specific historic bridge restoration rather than general funding.
• Provides an exemption from certain procurement and statutory requirements for this grant project, streamlining the process for this restoration.
• Establishes a formal mechanism to issue bonds to finance the project, aligning with Minnesota’s bond financing statutes and constitutional provisions.

Potential Impacts

• Local impact: Redwood Falls gains a funded plan to restore a historic structure, potentially supporting preservation, tourism, and local heritage.
• State fiscal impact: Increases authorized bond issuance and uses bond proceeds to support a local project, with repayment obligations governed by state bonding statutes.

Relevant Terms

• bond proceeds fund
• grant
• City of Redwood Falls
• design and construct restoration
• WPA 1938 Swayback Bridge No. 89859
• cofferdam access
• stone replacement
• tuckpointing
• granite and masonry exterior
• exempt from requirements
• Minnesota Statutes sections 16B.32, 16B.325, 216C.19, 216C.20
• 16A.631 to 16A.675
• Minnesota Constitution Article XI sections 4 to 7
• bonds / bond sale

Relevant Terms - bond proceeds fund - grant - Redwood Falls - Swayback Bridge - restoration - cofferdam - stone replacement - tuckpointing - granite masonry - exemption - bonding statutes - capital investment - historic preservation