Edited 6/12/16 – 3:45 p.m
The property tax exemption for the Minnesota United Stadium in St. Paul, Minnesota passed on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday. Politics in Minnesota reported that the bill was not even debated before voting to approve the measure.
As reported here on Tuesday, the bill was conspicuously missing the sales tax exemption on construction materials which the United ownership group have also requested. There is some discussion that the House may pick up the sales tax exemption measure.
The three components of Minnesota United ask included property tax exemption, sales tax exemption and a liquor license for the venue. A spokesperson for the City of St. Paul said this is an ongoing process and they continue to have conversations with legislators on the best way to make sure all three components of the teams ask is approved.
Minnesota United is requesting tax relieve on the ‘bus barn’ property that the stadium will sit on. The property has not been on the tax rolls for over 50 years because it was part of the Metro Transits operating facilities.
The team will pay the entire cost of the stadium and then give it to the City of St. Paul after completion. They have also agreed to maintain and upgrade the facility as well. There would be no property tax loss by approving the measure. Because there is financial request to build the stadium the bill seems to have wide bipartisan support. Some legislators have pointed to the stadium as a catalyst for redevelopment in the Midway area in St. Paul that desperately needs revitalization.
With the property tax exemption approved on the Senate floor, that portion of the bill will now make it’s way to the powerful Conference Committee which is made up of members of the State House and Senate.
The liquor license for the stadium will be heard on the House floor today under a separate bill.
Editors Note: An omnibus liquor bill was passed in the House on Thursday afternoon which included the a liquor license for the Minnesota United stadium.
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