St. Paul wants DEED dough for Saints Ballpark

The city of St. Paul is requesting the state allocate $27 million from an economic development fund to build a new minor league baseball stadium in downtown St. Paul.

In a letter to the Commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman said the new St. Paul Saints stadium would bring about 500 full and part-time jobs to the area. He also said the project is ready to begin construction.

"This is truly an investment in the community that will have far-reaching, positive, substantive economic impacts on the state for years to come," Coleman wrote.

Coleman's letter comes at a time when city officials across the state are eyeing a $47.5 million economic development fund that was created in this year's public works bonding bill.

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Governor Dayton and GOP legislative leaders said the fund would allow state officials to decide which projects have the best merit. Officials in Mankato and Rochester are also hoping to tap the fund to help renovate convention centers in their cities. Supporters of the Southwest Light Rail proposal are also seeking the funds.

Officials with the Department of Employment and Economic Development say no timeline has been set on when the funds will be awarded. Gov. Dayton told MPR News on Friday that there are "plenty of requests" from officials from both political parties.

Here's Coleman's letter:

Letter From Mayor Coleman to Commissioner Phillips (2)