The Minneapolis Star Tribune article published on February 15, 2015 lays out some general information about Parkland Dedication. It also notes where St. Paul falls in the range of money supplementing the park system (very near the bottom) and how that compares to our neighboring communities, all of whom are competing for taxpayers and wanting to build park amenities to lure those taxpayers.
Of special note: leaders lamenting the loss of monies due to a weak ordinance and the length of time it took to get it on the books, (“We missed out on millions of dollars just in the years it took for [sic] get this through”, said former Commissioner Bob Fine) as well as a developer who had told legislators this would kill development, yet is now moving forward with a development project.
Our leaders need to get the message:
Its time to move forward with a robust ordinance in St. Paul and work toward the “Most Livable City in America” moniker we claim for ourselves.
Revenue light from first year of Minneapolis’ park-dedication law | Star Tribune