The Metropolitan Airport Commission has signed off on a package of improvements to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport that will cost a total of $135 million.
Though the commission is currently studying the feasibility of a new Twin Cities airport, members voted to go ahead with several capital improvements to the existing airport. The Minnesota legislature is scheduled to vote on a new airport in 1997.
Nigel Finney, deputy executive director for planning and environment, said the commission will probably issue about $40 million of bonds to support the current renovation projects. Commissioners will also seek funding from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and will use some of the revenue generated from airport user fees.
The $135 million package approved last month includes new quarters for U.S. Customs Service officials, expansion of auto rental offices and parking areas, a new hangar, and continuation of a program to reduce air traffic noise for neighborhoods near the airport.
The commission delayed until early next year voting on proposals to build an underground "people mover" and a runway extension.
Commissioners denied speculation that their vote to improve the existing airport means a new airport is doomed in the legislature.
"Even if the legislature decides in 1997 to build a new airport, construction would likely take from 15 to 20 years to complete," said chairman Richard Braun in a statement. "We would still be required to ensure that the existing airport remains safe and efficient while that process is under way."
The St. Paul Saints may be marching into a new stadium if owner Mike Veeck has his way. The son of legendary baseball showman Bill Veeck is pitching a new $12 million ballpark on St. Paul's riverfront for his minor league team.
St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman has expressed support for the proposal and said he envisions a "public-private partnership" to pay for it. City Councilman Dino Guerin has said the city could issue revenue bonds backed by stadium rentals to pick up part of the construction cost.
"There are no specific financing plans yet," said Mark Mauer, Guerin's legislative assistant. "The administration is studying proposals for financing, and I know the mayor likes the idea."
The Saints play about 40 games a year at the stadium, usually drawing crowds of at least 6,000 to each game. Veeck and developer Dick Broeker of St. Paul Riverfront Inc. have proposed a stadium that would accommodate between 6,000 and 8,000 for Saints baseball and other public events. Mauer said the idea has gained currency among politicians because it could spur economic development downtown.
"Right now the team plays near Energy Park away from the downtown area. If you put the ballpark in downtown St. Paul, hopefully you'll get fans eating in restaurants, shopping in local stores," said Mauer. "And if something like this were to go forward, it could be used by St. Paul high school teams, Little League, and men's pro-am teams. There's enough organized baseball that it would definitely be utilized."
The city is also contemplating construction of a $12 million music amphitheater on a nearby riverfront site, and Veeck has said that if the music project is completed first he would not be as interested in moving his team to the downtown site.
