Duluth residents can be optimistic that the city is going to finally get some money for a new arena at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center and for a new civil engineering building at the University of Minnesota Duluth.
On Monday in Duluth, Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced the DECC has $40.3 million in his proposed $1 billion plan to pay for public construction projects across Minnesota, with the largest share reserved for road and bridge upgrades.
And he said there's a good chance the DECC would get it this year, after two unsuccessful attempts the past two years.
That heartened Dan Russell, executive director of the DECC.
"It's hard not to be optimistic," Russell said. "This is a great first step."
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But some city councilors said a $12.8 million request by Duluth to build more sewer overflow capacity ought to be on top of their agenda, even ahead of money to expand the DECC. Duluth, with possible help from other sources, would have to come up with the other half of the money.
"I think the state would look at us as somewhat greedy and foolish if we're in favor of more ice" ahead of adding more sewer capacity, Councilor Jim Stauber said.
Councilors Garry Krause, Jay Fosle and Sharla Gardner all voiced similar sentiments.
"I think it would not be responsible of us as a city to put our entertainment ahead of our most precious resource and future development," Gardner said. If the overflow problem isn't addressed, the city might face federal fines and delays in allowing construction projects.
Pawlenty's proposal doesn't include money for other projects such as the Lake Superior Zoo, but the city still is requesting $2.2 million for that, and $5.7 million for the Duluth International Airport.
The Republican governor proposes spending $258 million on construction and maintenance projects at the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities systems.
Included is $10 million for a new civil engineering building at UMD.
"We were thrilled to see it in the governor's proposed budget," said Susan Beasy Latto, UMD director of public relations.
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If the money comes through, construction would begin this summer, with completion set for September 2010.
The biggest portion of Pawlenty's proposal -- $416 million -- is targeted for transportation. He would spend $225 million on local bridges and another $30 million for local road projects.
"This bonding bill has a higher level of investment in transportation than any bonding bill in the history of our state," Pawlenty said. "This strategic focus is an important step in modernizing roads and bridges across Minnesota."
Lawmakers' main job during the 2008 legislative session, which begins Feb. 12, is to pass a bonding bill.
Top DFL lawmakers have said they received more than $4 billion worth of state bonding requests, but that only about $1 billion will be approved, to stay within suggested state borrowing guidelines.
Pawlenty also says he wants to get the state to pay for a new state park on Lake Vermilion, although he didn't want to say how much the state might be willing to pay because negotiations for the land are under way. The main reason it's in the bill this year is because the chance evaporates if not done now, he said.
PATRICK GARMOE can be reached at (218) 723-5229 or pgarmoe@duluthnews.com .
