Brooklyn Center Voters Deny Community Center Sales Tax Hike
Voters in the city of Brooklyn Center voted against a request for a 0.5 percent sales tax increase to pay to renovate and expand the city’s community center.
The vote was 54 percent 6,051 total votes against, and 46 percent and 5,053 votes in favor.
The money would have funded air and mechanical system improvements, and additions like an indoor walking track, a possible indoor play area and more meeting rooms.
The half-percent sales tax increase was estimated to raise up to $44 million to pay for the improvements.
The Minnesota Legislature is also pitching in $5.1 million for the project. The city will not receive the funds due to voters not passing the sales tax.
City officials have described the community center as “antiquated” and unable to meet resident needs due to lack of space. This funding would have helped address that, officials said.
The community center was built in 1971. The city created a website to describe the facility improvements needed.
Voters also voted on a proposed city charter amendment. The question was “should the Brooklyn Center City Charter be amended to add language requiring the City to maintain a grant policy?”
Seventy percent of voters said yes.
