SF5089

Purpose

• Provide a one-time funding package to support the West 7th Street Improvement Project in St. Paul. Specifically, the bill appropriates $80,000,000 in fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the Public Facilities Authority to grant the City of St. Paul for predesign, design, engineering, construction, and equipping of improvements to the roadway and underground water infrastructure along the route from downtown St. Paul to the Mississippi River.

Main Provisions

• Funding and administration:
  • Amount: $80,000,000 in FY 2027.
  • Source: General fund.
  • Purpose: A grant to the City of St. Paul for the West 7th Street Improvement Project.
  • Administered by: Public Facilities Authority.
  • Nature: One-time appropriation; available until the project is completed or abandoned, under the provisions of Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642.
• Project scope and activities:
  • Pre-design, design, engineering, construction, and equipment for improvements to the roadway and underground water infrastructure from downtown St. Paul to the Mississippi River.
  • Modernization of underground tunnels and the stormwater and wastewater infrastructure within them.
  • Ease the financial burden of water infrastructure connections to properties.
  • Reconstruct roads and sidewalks.
  • Install traffic calming facilities.
  • Realign intersections.
  • Improve transit opportunities by facilitating a bus rapid transit line connecting downtown St. Paul, Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, and the Mall of America.

Fiscal Impact and Administrative Details

• Onetime funding: This is a one-time appropriation and not an ongoing program.
• Availability: Funds remain available until project completion or abandonment, consistent with applicable statute (16A.642).

Timeline and Availability

• The appropriation is designated for the fiscal year 2027 and remains available for the project’s duration, subject to statutory rules about availability and abandonment.

Relationship to Existing Law / Changes

• This bill does not (in itself) create new ongoing programs or statutory changes beyond allocating $80 million as a one-time grant to the City of St. Paul for the West 7th Street project.
• It uses the Public Facilities Authority as the funding conduit and references Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642 for project availability rules.

Significance

• Aims to upgrade transportation and water infrastructure along a key corridor, potentially enhancing safety, transit options (including a bus rapid transit line), and long-term resilience of water systems and related property connections.

Relevant Terms - West 7th Street Improvement Project - City of St. Paul - Public Facilities Authority - general fund - grant - predesign - design - engineer - construct - equip - roadway - underground water infrastructure - tunnels - stormwater infrastructure - wastewater infrastructure - water infrastructure connections - roads - sidewalks - traffic calming facilities - realign intersections - bus rapid transit - downtown St. Paul - Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport - Mall of America - onetime appropriation - availability - Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642