Purpose

Provide funding to support the Rochester riverfront redevelopment by granting the City of Rochester money for predesign work on public realm improvements. The planned improvements include trails, tree planting, public wayfinding, public amenities, and related infrastructure for reusing properties near the Government Center and Zumbro River area as envisioned in the Rochester Riverfront Area Wide Plan.

Main Provisions

• Subd.1 Appropriation:

  • Amount: 1,000,000 dollars.
  • Source: bond proceeds fund.
  • Recipient: City of Rochester, via a grant from the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
  • Purpose: predesign of public realm improvements (trail improvements, tree planting, public wayfinding, public amenities, related infrastructure) for the reuse of properties near the Government Center and Zumbro River area, aligned with the Rochester Riverfront Area Wide Plan.

• Subd.2 Bond Sale:

  • Authorization: The money appropriated may be provided through the sale of state bonds.
  • Authority: The Commissioner of Management and Budget shall sell and issue bonds up to 1,000,000 dollars.
  • Legal framework: In accordance with Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 and Minnesota Constitution article XI sections 4 to 7.

Significance and Changes to Law

• Creates a new capital investment funding mechanism (bond-backed) to support Rochester riverfront planning and public realm work.
• Directs a specific grant to the City of Rochester for predesign activities tied to the Rochester Riverfront Area Wide Plan.
• Establishes bonding authority up to 1,000,000 dollars for this project, under existing statutory and constitutional bond issuance provisions.

Context and Scope

• Focuses on riverfront redevelopment and the public realm near the Government Center and Zumbro River area in Rochester.
• Ties planning and design funding to the broader Rochester Riverfront Area Wide Plan.

Fiscal Details

• Total appropriation: 1,000,000 dollars from the bond proceeds fund.
• Financing method: State bond sale up to 1,000,000 dollars, to be conducted under specified statutes and constitutional provisions.

Relevant Terms bond proceeds fund, appropriation, grant, predesign, public realm improvements, trail improvements, tree planting, public wayfinding, public amenities, infrastructure, reuse of properties, Rochester Riverfront Area Wide Plan, Government Center, Zumbro River area, state bonds, Minnesota Statutes 16A.631-16A.675, Minnesota Constitution Article XI.