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Bill

HF 3303

St. Paul; Conway Recreation Center improvements funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Funds $3M to renovate Conway Recreation Center for a food distribution center, senior services, health clinic, and women’s athletics, via bond-backed grant to Sanneh Foundation.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Capital Investment
#bonds #citiesandtowns-specific #recreation
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Bill Summary · HF 3303

Summary: HF 3303 (Minnesota) – Conway Recreation Center Improvements Funding and Bonding

Purpose and intent

  • The bill authorizes capital investment funding to renovate and expand the Conway Recreation Center in St. Paul.
  • It aims to support the redesign and enhancement of the facility to include community-focused services, with a strong emphasis on health, nutrition, and wellness access.

Key provisions

Subdivision 1 – Appropriations

  • Appropriates $3,000,000 from the Bond Proceeds Fund.
  • The funds are to be granted to the Sanneh Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, to fund:
    • Design, construction, furnishing, and equipping of improvements necessary to renovate and expand the Conway Recreation Center.
    • The expanded facility will house:
    • A permanent food distribution center
    • A senior center
    • A health and wellness clinic
    • A women’s athletic center
    • Overall goals include community gathering space, health care service delivery, and nutritional outreach.

Subdivision 2 – Bond sale

  • Requires the Commissioner of Management and Budget to sell and issue state bonds totaling up to $3,000,000.
  • Bond issuance must follow:
    • Minnesota Statutes, sections 16A.631 to 16A.675
    • Minnesota Constitution, article XI, sections 4 to 7
  • This establishes the funding mechanism through bond proceeds.

Affected parties and entities

  • Primary recipient/coordinator: The Sanneh Foundation (a nonprofit organization) will receive the grant and oversee project design, construction, furnishing, and equipment.
  • Facility beneficiaries: Residents of St. Paul and the broader community who will use:
    • Food distribution services
    • Senior services
    • Health and wellness clinic
    • Women’s athletic programming
    • Community gathering and nutritional outreach activities
  • State agencies involved:
    • Department of Employment and Economic Development (as grant recipient administrator)
    • Department of Management and Budget (bond issuance)
    • Minnesota State Legislature (authorizing legislation)

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: Section becomes effective the day after final enactment.
  • Funding mechanism: Bond proceeds fund the appropriation; bonds will be issued up to $3,000,000 under existing state bonding statutes and constitutional provisions.
  • Legislative action: Bill introduced and referred to the Capital Investment committee; first reading occurred on May 6, 2025.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Provides targeted funding to expand a community recreation center into a multifaceted hub (food distribution, senior services, health services, and women’s athletics), potentially improving community health outcomes and access to resources in St. Paul.
  • Uses debt financing (bonds) to fund the project, transferring cost to future state budgets via debt service obligations.
  • Involves a nonprofit partner (Sanneh Foundation), which may influence project design and community engagement strategies.
  • Requires careful project oversight to ensure timely design, construction, furnishings, and compliance with bonding statutes.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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