Bonding bill to include $50M for St. Paul’s Grand Casino complex renovation
Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders agreed to include $50 million in a $1.2 billion bonding bill for the Grand Casino Arena complex renovation.Summary
Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders have reached a bipartisan agreement on a $1.2 billion bonding bill that includes $50 million in starter money for the planned renovation of the Grand Casino Arena complex in downtown St. Paul. The package also allocates $40 million in general obligation bond funding to modernize the Legendary Roy Wilkins Auditorium, a 5,800-seat venue built in 1932, and $10 million for project planning and design. The bonding bill is part of a broader agreement reached at the Capitol as the legislative session deadline approaches. St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her and Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold have proposed a $600 million renovation for the arena and RiverCentre convention center, with the team agreeing to a lease extension to 2061. This marks the first time the city and team have secured funding for the project, which aims to address the downtown area's need for increased visitor traffic.
(Source：Twincities)