A bill authorizing $27 million in state money for a new Lowertown ballpark for the St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) has been introduced in the Minnesota State Senate as the chamber enters the final three weeks of session.
The bill, introduced by Sen. Sandy Pappas (DFL-St. Paul) and Sen. Dave Senjem (R-Rochester), who had a relative once play for the Saints, would direct the state to issue $27 million in bonds for the new $50-million ballpark, with the city and the Saints coming up with the rest. The ballpark would be built in St. Paul’s Lowertown area, adjacent to historic buildings and the St. Paul Farmers Market.
The Star Tribune says this introduction might be a sign there’s momentum behind the proposal, but we’ll withhold judgment until the bill has a sponsor in the Minnesota House, which tend to be more conservative and stingy than the Senate.
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