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State recommends funding of Saints ballpark

Proposed St. Paul Saints ballpark

The Minnesota Department of Employment of Economic Development has recommended the state spend $27 million on a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark.

The department was charged by the Minnesota Legislature earlier this year to spend $47.5 million of the biannual bonding request on important statewide projects. Out of 90 proposed projects, the Saints ballpark, a rural water-treatment plant and a Duluth office tower were recommended to receive funding. The next step: Gov. Mark Dayton, who originally included the Saints funding in his original bonding budget, will sign off on the recommendations.

If funding is approved, the $54-million ballpark, to be located in the Lowertown area of downtown St. Paul on a former Gillette industrial site, could open for the 2014 season. Midway Stadium, the team’s current home, would be torn down and replaced with a business park.

Left unfunded: $4 million for renovations to historic Wade Stadium, home of the Duluth Huskies. Sen. Roger Reinert (DFL-Duluth) says he’ll continue to seek state funding for repairs to the WPA-era classic.

Image courtesy of the St. Paul Saints.

RELATED STORIES: Saints, Huskies ballparks pitched for Minnesota state fundsSt. Paul: We’ll request economic-development funds for new Saints ballparkAffiliated ball in St. Paul? Don’t hold your breathDuluth: We’ll continue seeking state fund for Wade Stadium renovationsDuluth Huskies unveil renovation plan for Wade Stadium; St. Paul officials confident in scoring state aid for Saints ballparkSaints ballpark funding alive — but just barelyState aid for Saints ballpark coming down to the wireSaints ballpark bill suffers setback in state SenateSt. Paul close to acquiring land for new Saints ballparkSaints ballpark funding passes hurdleSaints ballpark funding part of state bonding bill

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