$2M federal funding granted to Rondo community land-bridge project in St. Paul

Under the federal infrastructure package, $2 million will be provided for the large-scale landbridge project in St. Paul’s Rondo.

ReConnect Rondo, a non-profit organization, applied for the grant under the “Reconnecting Community” section of the infrastructure bill. This $1 billion portion will be used to help neighborhoods affected by the federal highway construction. A jurisdiction could only request $2 million in money.

The project is estimated to cost $392 million. However, the funds will be used to fund environmental impact analysis, neighborhood traffic analysis, modeling, and outreach to the community to evaluate the potential effects of building a large cap above Interstate 94 in St. Paul.

Master plan

ReConnect Rondo announced the federal funding earlier in this week, as did U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum.

ReConnect Rondo Executive Director Keith Baker stated that “we can feel very, very happy that we were fully-funded for what we requested.” “All these studies will eventually inform our masterplan.”

ReConnect Rondo holds community engagement events to hear from the public about their concerns and to solicit ideas. The bridge will provide 12 to 21 acres of new land for housing and businesses. This will drive economic opportunity and revitalization in the area.

Baker stated, “What we are hearing is that this community sees it as a culture district or a cultural history and arts kind of environment.” “Open space in parks is another area we are hearing.”

Since 2002, ReConnect Rondo has worked with Ramsey County, St. Paul, the Metropolitan Council and the Minnesota Department of Transportation to raise funds for the predevelopment phase of this project. ReConnect Rondo received $6.2 million from Minnesota in 2021 for their master plan. The $2 million from the infrastructure bill was matched by $500,000 from St. Paul, as well as funding from the 2021 state Legislature.

“Precedent is already established”

Baker stated that he expected federal funding to cover 80 percent of the estimated $392 million cost and that the state would pick up $80 million.

Baker stated, “That’s exactly the same amount even though it was invested in Target Field’s infrastructure project.” “The precedent has already been set.”

Baker said McCollum, U.S. Sens. Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar advocated for funding the project at the federal level. ReConnect Rondo plans on applying for any other grants that it qualifies for.

McCollum stated that ReConnect Rondo’s neighbourhood-led vision was important and would create opportunities for economic growth and community empowerment. It allows for reconciliation and healing in a community that has been cruelly torn apart. I am proud to have assisted with the transfer of these funds to Fourth District.

Source