Purpose

This bill would authorize a state investment in Nicollet Avenue in the city of Richfield by providing funding and borrowing authority to support the project. The goal is to improve a stretch of Nicollet Avenue and related infrastructure, with a focus on transportation and utilities.

Key elements of the proposal

• Funding amount: An appropriation of 10,000,000 from the bond proceeds fund.
• Beneficiaries: The Commissioner of Transportation would provide a grant to the City of Richfield, Hennepin County, or both.
• Project scope: Design and construction of about 1.4 miles of roadway and active transportation infrastructure, along with public utility upgrades on Nicollet Avenue (County StateAid Highway 52) from 77th Street to 66th Street, and related surrounding streets to support the Nicollet Avenue reconstruction.
• Infrastructure included: Replacement or upgrade of water main, sanitary sewer main, and storm sewer main; inclusion of predesign work; and acquisition of real property, rights-of-way, or easements within the corridor.
• Local cost share and cooperation: The appropriation covers the local share and is intended to be used in cooperation with Hennepin County for the CSAH 52 reconstruction project.
• Project controls: The funding is for the city’s local share and is connected to the Nicollet Avenue reconstruction project.

Financing and bonding details

• Bonding authority: The state would issue bonds up to 10,000,000 from the bond proceeds fund to finance the appropriation.
• Legal framework: Bond issuance would follow Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 and the Minnesota Constitution, Article XI, sections 4 to 7.

Significance and potential impact

• Creates a dedicated funding stream and bonding authorization for a specific local transportation and utility improvement project.
• Advances planned improvements on Nicollet Avenue, including road reconstruction and utility upgrades, in coordination with Hennepin County.
• Represents a new capital investment commitment to the city of Richfield and the region’s transportation infrastructure.

Changes to existing law (high level)

• Establishes a new appropriation and bonding authority targeted at the Nicollet Avenue project. It does not detail broad changes to tax or unrelated laws but adds authorization for state bonds and a targeted funding mechanism for this project.

Relevant Terms - Nicollet Avenue - Richfield - Hennepin County - City of Richfield - County StateAid Highway 52 - County StateAid Highway 53 - 77th Street - 66th Street - active transportation - public utility infrastructure - water main - sanitary sewer main - storm sewer main - right-of-way - easement - predesign - local cost share - bond proceeds fund - bonds - Minnesota Statutes 16A.631 to 16A.675 - Minnesota Constitution Article XI