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Capitol View®
Tim Pugmire

Dayton’s bonding wish list: Civic landmarks, bridges, higher ed take lead

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Gov. Mark Dayton released a $986 million plan for public works construction projects today. The largest single item is $126 million for the remaining work on the state Capitol building.  Dayton, a Democrat,  also suggests funding for several local projects, the kind former Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty usually opposed.

The Legislature will have the final say on what’s called the bonding bill, and it will need a 60 percent supermajority in both the House and the Senate to pass.  That means Democrats will need some votes from their Republican colleagues to enact it.

Dayton claimed the construction projects in his proposal will create more than 27, 000 jobs in the state.  Here's a list of the projects he's highlighting:

Regional Civic Centers and Downtown Improvements

  • $37 million for the Rochester Mayo Civic Center expansion

  • $20 million for revitalization of Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis

  • $14.5 million for a new addition to the Mankato Civic Center (Minnesota State Arena)

  • $14 million to expand and renovate the Children's Museum in downtown St. Paul

  • $11.6 million for an expansion of the St. Cloud River's Edge Convention Center

  • $6.9 million for renovation of the historic NorShor Theatre in Duluth

Higher Education

  • $80 million for asset preservation and replacement at MnSCU and University of Minnesota campuses statewide ($40 million in HEAPR funds for each system)

  • $74 million for additional infrastructure improvements at 17 MnSCU campuses statewide

  • $56.7 million for renovation of the University of Minnesota's Tate Science and Teaching building

  • $12 million for the University of Minnesota's Research and Laboratory Improvement Fund

Roads and Bridges

  • $30 million to fund bridge repair and replacements statewide

  • $29 million for roads and bridges at the TCAAP site in Arden Hills

  • $10 million for local roads improvements

State Capitol Restoration

  • Additional $126.3 million to complete the state Capitol restoration process: repairs to the façade, upgrades to the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, life-safety, security, and telecommunications systems.

Other Investments

  • $70.7 million for clean drinking water investments and wastewater treatment projects

  • $56.3 million for the remodeling of the outdated Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter

  • $54.6 million for natural resource projects including asset preservation, parks and trails, and land restoration

  • $50 million for housing infrastructure and rehabilitation (which would be the largest ever bonding investment in affordable housing)

  • $17 million investment in transit improvements

  • $12 million for economic development projects and grant programs

  • $7.8 million for pollution control initiatives

  • $4 million investment in veterans initiatives

And here's a link to a complete list of the governor's proposals.