HF4864

Purpose

• To provide funding for the West 7th Street Improvement Project in St. Paul. The bill authorizes a substantial one-time grant to support predesign, design, engineering, construction, and equipping of improvements to the roadway and the underground water infrastructure from downtown St. Paul to the Mississippi River.

Main provisions

• Funding: In fiscal year 2027, an appropriation of $80,000,000 from the general fund is made to the Public Facilities Authority (PFA) to grant to the city of St. Paul for the project.
• Scope of work: The improvements cover the roadway and the underground water infrastructure, including modernization of underground tunnels, and the stormwater and wastewater systems within them.
• Project goals: Reconstruct roads and sidewalks to improve safety, install traffic calming measures, realign intersections, and improve transit opportunities.
• Transit integration: The project is designed to facilitate the operation of a bus rapid transit (BRT) line that will connect downtown St. Paul, Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), and the Mall of America.
• Property impacts: Aims to ease the financial burden of water infrastructure connections to nearby properties.

Funding and availability

• This is a one-time appropriation and remains available until the project is completed or abandoned, in accordance with Minnesota law (16A.642).

Changes to existing law

• The bill does not create ongoing revenue streams or broad statutory changes; it establishes a single, one-time appropriation from the general fund to support the West 7th Street Improvement Project via the Public Facilities Authority.

Relevant Terms - West 7th Street Improvement Project - Public Facilities Authority - St. Paul - bus rapid transit (BRT) - downtown St. Paul - Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) - Mall of America - underground tunnels - stormwater - wastewater - roadway improvements - traffic calming - intersection realignment - general fund - one-time appropriation - Minnesota Statutes 16A.642