Funding approved for new St. Paul Saints ballpark

Additional seating
Fans applaud during a St. Paul Saints game at Midway Stadium in St. Paul, Minn. Sunday, June 10, 2012. The St. Paul City Council on Wednesday has unanimously approved a plan to fund a new downtown ballpark for the team.
MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson

The city council has unanimously approved a plan to fund a new downtown ballpark for the St. Paul Saints.

St. Paul's financing plan for the $54 million stadium includes $10 million dollars in contributions from the St. Paul Saints and $17 million dollars from the city of St Paul

The resolution approved by the city council also includes an agreement with the St Paul Port Authority to swap the current Midway ballpark site for a Lowertown property adjacent to the St. Paul Farmer's Market.

St. Paul has also applied for $27 million from a state bond fund — more than half the amount of money available in that fund. Dozens of other municipalities have also applied for the money.

City staff said if the state grant doesn't come through, St. Paul would still attempt to acquire the Lowertown site at an estimated cost of $3 million.

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