Local City Projects Left Out of Governor’s Bonding Proposal
Gov. Tim Walz pitched a nearly $1 billion bonding proposal this week, with nearly half of the money geared toward preserving state infrastructure.
Several local cities, including Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Plymouth and Golden Valley, put in requests for state funds, but none of their projects was recommended in the 2024 governor’s plan.
Among the requests was a plan by Brooklyn Park to build a new central fire station. That plan will now need other legislative support.
Brooklyn Park requested nearly $13 million in state funds to construct a new central fire station. The city would pitch in another $13 million, or half of the construction costs.
Fire Chief Shawn Conway says the new station would provide much-needed space. It would also serve as a regional training facility and emergency operations center.
The Brooklyn Park Fire Department is one of the only full-time staffed suburban fire departments in the Twin Cities metro. The city has already received more than $1 million from the state to design a new station.
A state funding request to help construct a new Brooklyn Park Central Fire Station was not included in the governor’s bonding proposal.
Other Local Bonding Requests
Other local requests were also left out of the governor’s bonding proposal. Those include:
- Brooklyn Park seeking $4 million for an expansion of the Zanewood Recreation Center.
- Maple Grove requesting $16 million to expand its community center.
- Plymouth asking for $32 million to help with its city center redevelopment efforts. Those plans would include an additional ice sheet at the Plymouth Ice Center, a renovation of Plymouth Boulevard and a new public parking ramp.
- Golden Valley requesting $7 million to construct a new fire station.
The governor’s bonding proposal sets a framework for discussions. Projects not included in the governor’s plan could be included later in the legislative session, which reconvenes Feb. 12.
Brooklyn Park | Golden Valley | Maple Grove | Plymouth | Twin Cities
