Brooklyn Park Seeks Next Steps To Fund CAC Expansion
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
That appears to be the direction the city of Brooklyn Park will take as it seeks ways to pay for a proposed expansion of the city’s Community Activity Center.
The city sought bonding at the state legislature over the last two years for the expansion, but to no avail. It appears the city will now try again in 2026.
“If we haven’t seen much happening at the legislature.. for the past three years or so, I think hopefully we could finally see something coming toward Brooklyn Park within the next year,” said Brooklyn Park City Council Member Amanda Cheng Xiong.
The proposed Community Activity Center expansion includes adding gym space, something local sports groups say is badly needed. Improvements to entrances and creation of an outdoor event space on the front lawn are also in the plans.
The city estimates the project could cost $24 million. Of that, Brooklyn Park needs to secure another $17 million. The city can allocate $2 million from a 2018 park bond referendum and $5 million awarded in state bonding from the 2023 session toward the CAC expansion.
The city of Brooklyn Park made a request this year for $9.5 million to state lawmakers, however it wasn’t included in a slimmed down bonding bill.
The city discussed next steps at Monday’s city council meeting.
Besides seeking state help, the city could try a voter referendum for the CAC expansion. Forming a public-private partnership is another option, though council members generally weren’t in favor of that idea.
“A partnership of any kind calls into question how accessible it is then, without some kind of membership fee, etc.,” said Brooklyn Park City Council Member Tony McGarvey.
Rendering of proposed Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center expansion
Brooklyn Park Recreation and Parks Director Brad Tullberg said an expansion would ideally add four basketball courts. Tullberg said he’s optimistic state funds could be made available.
“A lot of times it takes multiple attempts before projects get funded,” said Tullberg.
