Pawlenty's $685 million in bonding recommendations

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty released his bonding recommendations today, which include $685 million worth of general projects he thinks worthy of consideration.

Pawlenty also says the state should borrow another $130 million, which includes "user-financed bonds, trunk highway bonds, University of Minnesota and MnSCU bonds, and cash amounts."

Pawlenty also announced his administration reached a deal with US Steel for the state to "to sell its Lake Vermilion property to the State of Minnesota for $18 million cash with the differential (from US Steel's appraisal) of $2.3 million to be treated as a donation by US Steel to the State of Minnesota....Governor Pawlenty will seek legislative authorization during the 2010 legislative session in order to remove a cap for the acquisition placed on the original 2008 appropriation. "

Here are the major bonding projects on Pawlenty's list:

HIGHER EDUCATION – $246 million (30% of total)

Funding proposals include:

* $130 million for the University of Minnesota ($100 million G.O., $30 million U of M)

* $114.6 million for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. ($93.1 million G.O., $21.5 million MnSCU)
o $50 million for higher education asset preservation and replacement (HEAPR), to maintain MnSCU facilities across the state.
o $15.3 million to design and construct the Academic Partnership Center for business, accounting, and hospitality programs at Normandale Community College. MnSCU would provide an additional $7.7 million for the project.
o $9.9 million to construct an addition and renovate the existing Center for Business & Technology at North Hennepin Community College, adding and upgrading technology-enabled classrooms and computer lab classrooms. MnSCU would provide an additional $4.9 million for the project.
o $8 million to construct a Health and Science Center addition at Lake Superior College. MnSCU would provide an additional $4 million for the project.
o $3.7 million to construct furnish and equip space for the Industrial Mechanical Technology Program at Mesabi Range Community and Technical College. MnSCU would provide an additional $1.8 million for the project.
o $3.6 million to renovate the Allied Health Center at St. Cloud Technical College to allow for addition of an associate degree of nursing and expand the paramedicine program. MnSCU would provide an additional $1.8 million for the project.
o $3.9 million to renovate classrooms at MnSCU campuses around the state.

TRANSPORTATION – $159 million (19% of total)

Funding proposals include:

* $75 million for local bridges, providing the state portion of funding to replace approximately 960 bridges during the 2010-11 construction season.
* $20 million for local roads.
* $26.4 million in Trunk Highway bonding to build a maintenance facility and remodel existing district headquarters, including space for Driver and Vehicle Services in Rochester.
* $15.8 million in Trunk Highway cash to build a truck station and mechanics facility in Maple Grove.
* $10 million to the Metropolitan Council to build and improve transitways identified in the Met Council's 2030 Transportation Policy Plan. Recommendation would fund $3 million for Cedar Avenue Bus Rapid Transit and $7 million for the Southwest Corridor.
* $3.3 million in Trunk Highway cash for construction of a new truck station and vehicle maintenance facility in Little Falls.
* $3 million in Trunk Highway cash for a new bridge crew building in Maplewood.
* $2.5 million to replace state-owned railroad crossing safety devices.
* $2 million to Mn/DOT as a match for local or federal funds for pre-design, design and engineering studies for the realignment and construction of the Southern Rail Corridor around Rochester. Non-state funds of an equal amount must be secured for the funds to be available.
* $700,000 in Trunk Highway cash for design work on the Plymouth Truck Station and a vehicle storage facility in Willmar.

PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS – $127 million (16% of total)

* $89 million for completion of Phase II of the Minnesota Sex Offender Program facility at Moose Lake, including construction of an additional 400-bed secure residential facility.
* $10 million for security improvements at the Oak Park Heights Correctional Facility.
* $10 million for Phase II of a comprehensive emergency management training facility at Camp Ripley.
* $8 million for asset preservation needs at Minnesota Correctional Facilities statewide.
* $7.4 million for implementation of the Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (ARMER) communications infrastructure at all ten correctional sites.
* $2 million for designing a new State Emergency Operations Center and Homeland Security and Emergency Management office, co-located with the Minnesota National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, in Arden Hills.

FLOOD MITIGATION, NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT – $114 million (14% of total)

Funding proposals include:

* $50 million for flood mitigation, including significant funding for Moorhead, Clay County and other locations in the Red River Valley. This incorporates funding for the first phase of Minnesota's participation in the major, long-term flood mitigation project near Moorhead.
* $10 million to the Pollution Control Agency for closed landfills.
* $8.2 million to the Board of Water and Soil Resources for RIM and wetland replacement.
* $7.5 million for Natural Resources Asset Preservation.
* $4 million for engineering and construction to repair, reconstruct, or remove dams and respond to dam safety emergencies.

* $4 million to acquire, develop, and improve wildlife management areas and aquatic management areas across the state.
* $4 million to the Pollution Control Agency for capital assistance grants for solid waste resource recovery facilities.
* $3.5 million for state forest land reforestation.
* $3 million to acquire, develop and renovate state parks and recreation areas.
* $3 million to the Metropolitan Council for metro parks.
* $2.5 million to preserve DNR-owned facilities statewide.
* $2 million to replace water-crossing structures and upgrade forest roads within the state forest system.
* $2 million for state trail acquisition.
* $2 million for RIM Critical Habitat Match. Funds will leverage an equal amount in private donations to acquire and improve critical habitat for fish, wildlife, and native plants.
* $2 million to the Department of Natural Resources for diseased shade tree removal.
* $2 million to the Department of Natural Resources for forest stand improvement.
* $1 million for water access.
* $1 million for installation of new ground water level monitoring wells.
* $1 million for native prairie conservation and protection.
* $500,000 to acquire easements and fee title on private land primarily within state forest boundaries.
* $500,000 to conserve important natural habitats.

Funding proposals include:

* $50 million to the Public Facilities Authority for drinking water and waste treatment programs.
* $25 million for the Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure Grant Program, providing grants to cities, counties, and higher education institutions to assist in the development of public infrastructure to promote business expansion.
* $15 million for the Redevelopment Grant Program, which provides grants to local governments and local development agencies to reprocess obsolete or abandoned properties for future industrial, commercial and residential uses.

VETERANS AND MILITARY – $33 million (4% of total)

Funding proposals include:

* $9.9 million for asset preservation, life safety, and ADA improvements at military facilities, including armories and training/community centers, statewide.
* $9.4 million to renovate Minneapolis Veterans Home Building 17, including a 72-unit building.
* $6.5 million for asset preservation at Minnesota Veterans Homes facilities statewide.
* $5.5 million to renovate the Cedar Street National Guard Armory on the State Capitol campus.
* $1.1 million to renovate the troop support activity facility at Camp Ripley.

Funding proposals includes:

* $15 million to the Minnesota Zoo for continuation of its master improvement plan, including the "Heart of the Zoo" entry, Visitor Center, and Environmental Education Center projects.
* $6 million for asset preservation at the Minnesota Zoo.
* $10.7 million for Department of Administration for asset preservation and energy efficiency projects.
* $8.8 million for the Department of Human Services, including $5.8 million for demolition and redevelopment activities at the former Brainerd campus.
* $3.2 million for the Perpich Center for the Arts and the state academies for the deaf and blind.
* $3.4 million for the Minnesota Historical Society.
* $400,000 in general fund cash and $5 million in nonprofit housing bonds issued by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to acquire and rehabilitate foreclosed rental properties and to construct or acquire and rehabilitate permanent supportive housing.