Crumbling city streets, and aging recreation centers and parks will get much-needed attention thanks to $45.1 million in funding approved by the St. Paul City Council on February 28. The money comes from the new 1% sales tax that was approved by voters last fall, which will be collected beginning April 1. The tax is expected to generate nearly $1 billion over 20 years. Nearly three-fourths of the revenue must be used for street repair and about a quarter for park improvements.
Streets that will see attention include Jackson, Dale, Earl and Burns streets, and Grand, Minnehaha, Marshall and Front avenues. Park improvements include replacing artificial turf at Oxford Community Center, renovating Toni Stone Stadium at Dunning Park and playing fields at Highwood Hills, the first phase of converting the heating system at Como Zoo & Conservatory from steam boilers to geothermal, renovation of the HVAC system at Dayton’s Bluff Recreation Center, parking lot repair at Battle Creek Recreation Center, and splash pad upgrades and basketball court renovations at Conway Recreation Center. Some funds will also go toward design work on the new East Side Community Center, the River Learning Center at Crosby Farm Regional Park, the River Balcony along the Kellogg Boulevard, and for revitalizing downtown parks.
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