An $800 million deal to breathe new life into Minneapolis' crumbling roads and parks received enthusiastic and unanimous approval Friday by the City Council.
The 20-year plan would pump about $22 million more per year into new street repairs and $11 million into neighborhood park renovations and maintenance.
The money, adjusted annually for inflation, will largely come through issuing debt and raising property taxes.
The deal was unveiled and signed within a week without any significant public opposition from city officials. It comes about five months after the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board announced it would seek a referendum on $300 million in repairs — a referendum that is now unnecessary.
Council Member Kevin Reich, chairman of the city's transportation committee, said the committee would discuss the criteria for road investments in the coming months. The infusion of cash also comes as the city seeks a new public works director, who will be instrumental in carrying out the plan.
The Park Board has already outlined which of the city's 157 neighborhood parks will take priority, based on criteria that factor in the condition of park assets and socioeconomic factors in the surrounding areas.
The semi-independent Park Board must still pass its version of the ordinance that the City Council approved on Friday. A public hearing will take place on May 18.
Eric Roper • 612-673-1732
