Winona; Mississippi Riverfront Trail prior appropriation modified.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ripper Repinski

Provides $5,000,000 to fund final design, engineering, and construction of a Mississippi Riverfront Trail bridge in Winona, with unspent funds possible for extending the trail.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Capital Investment

#appropriations #citiesandtowns-specific #parksandtrails

Purpose and Intent

The bill modifies an existing state appropriation related to the Mississippi Riverfront Trail project in the city of Winona.

Specifically, it adjusts the scope and allocation of funds for final design, engineering, and construction of a bridge and associated trail connections as part of the multipurpose nonmotorized Riverfront Trail.

Key Provisions

Source and Amount (as amended): Recasts the appropriation in Laws 2023, chapter 72, article 2, section 9, subdivision 12, to designate an appropriation of $5,000,000 for Winona’s Mississippi Riverfront Trail project.

Project Details:

The funds are designated for the final design, engineering, and construction of a bridge and bridge approaches that connect:
Chestnut Street on one end
Carimona Street on the other end
The bridge is part of the broader multipurpose nonmotorized Riverfront Trail, specifically the segment from Levee Park to Lions Park.
The project aims to connect portions of the Mississippi Riverfront Trail between Levee Park and Lions Park.

Unspent Funds Contingency:

Any unspent portion of the appropriation remaining after the listed project is completed can be used for final design, engineering, and construction to extend the Mississippi Riverfront Trail in Winona.
This extension use requires written notice to the Commissioner of Management and Budget prior to proceeding with the extension.

Affected Parties and Systems

Primary beneficiary: The City of Winona.

Project scope changes: Adjusts how a previously appropriated amount is allocated and allows for potential extension of the Riverfront Trail beyond the originally listed project if funds remain.

State oversight: Funding continues to fall under authority of the Department of Management and Budget for any extension in use of remaining funds.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Effective Date: The act becomes effective the day after final enactment.

Legislative Action to Date: Introduced and referred to the Committee on Capital Investment (House) on Apr 13, 2026.

Next Steps: Likely requires committee consideration, potential amendments, and floor action before final passage and signature.

Practical Impact

The bill solidifies a $5 million state grant toward the Winona riverfront bridge and trail connection project, potentially accelerating final design, engineering, and construction.

It provides a mechanism to repurpose any unspent funds to extend the riverfront trail, subject to administrative notification and budget approval.

Notes

The language specifies a bridge and bridge approaches linking Chestnut Street and Carimona Street, forming a critical connection within the Levee Park to Lions Park trail segment.

The text is a targeted modification to an existing appropriation from 2023, rather than creating a new, standalone grant.

Bill