Gov. Mark Dayton's bonding proposal, released Tuesday, includes $25 million to refurbish and expand the aging Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis.
City officials and downtown business leaders have lofty goals to eliminate or reduce the Mall's curbs, redesign building facades and extend the pedestrian walkway to the Mississippi River.
Sarah Harris, chief operating officer of the Downtown Improvement District, said the total infrastructure costs are expected to reach $58 million. The private sector will pick up a chunk of the tab, along with a city contribution.
"It's a very important main street for the region, in that there are so many economic interests rooted right on the Nicollet Mall with their headquarters or their employees within walking distance of the mall," Harris said.
While the Downtown Council's recent 2025 plan for downtown outlined a broad vision for the Mall, the exact details still need to be worked out.
"We're all in agreement that the timing is right," said Steve Kotke, the city's public works director. "The mall needs an upgrade, a rebuild, and this is the time to do it."
The governor's bonding proposal also included $8.5 million to preserve and renovate Minneapolis' iconic Sculpture Garden.
