St. Paul; Hallie Q. Brown Community Center capital improvements funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Samakab Hussein and 1 co-sponsor

Funds up to $5 million in state bonds will renovate, expand, and modernize Hallie Q. Brown Community Center in St. Paul, prioritizing ADA access, energy efficiency, and preservatio

Introduction and first reading, referred to Capital Investment

#bonds #citiesandtowns-specific

Purpose

HF 3305 appropriates funding for capital improvements at the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center in St. Paul and authorizes the sale of state bonds to finance those improvements. The bill aims to support renovation, expansion, and modernization of the center while preserving its historic and cultural significance.

Key Provisions

Appropriation of Funds

Provides a grant of $5,000,000 from the bond proceeds fund to the City of St. Paul.
Purpose: predesign, design, construction, renovation, furnishing, and equipping of renovations and expansion of the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center.
Project focus areas include:
Expansion and renovation of program and community spaces
Accessibility improvements compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Energy efficiency improvements
Major projects to preserve or replace mechanical systems, HVAC systems, and structural components needed to support ongoing operations
A key requirement: to the extent practicable, capital improvements funded by this appropriation should preserve the facility’s historic and cultural significance.

Bond Financing

The Commissioner of Management and Budget is authorized to sell and issue up to $5,000,000 in state bonds to fund the appropriation.
Bond issuance must comply with:
Minnesota Statutes, sections 16A.631 to 16A.675
Minnesota Constitution, Article XI, sections 4 to 7

Effective Date

The section becomes effective the day after final enactment.

Affected Parties

City of St. Paul: Receives the grant to plan and carry out the renovations, expansions, and related improvements at the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center.

Hallie Q. Brown Community Center: Beneficiary of capital improvements, including accessibility, energy efficiency, and system upgrades, while maintaining its historic and cultural identity.

State of Minnesota: Provides financing through bond proceeds; the Department of Employment and Economic Development administers the grant in coordination with the city.

Timeline and Process

Legislative Action: Bill introduced and referred to the Committee on Capital Investment. First reading occurred on May 7, 2025.

Financing Process: Upon enactment, the state would issue up to $5 million in bonds to fund the appropriation.

Implementation: project activities (predesign, design, construction, renovation, furnishing, and equipping) would occur after appropriation and bond proceeds are available, subject to applicable state procurement and construction timelines.

Notes

The bill emphasizes preserving the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center’s historic and cultural significance during revitalization.

ADA accessibility and energy efficiency are explicit priorities within the funded scope.

The project aligns with Minnesota’s capital investment framework, utilizing bond proceeds and statutory bonding authority.

Bill