Brady PieperMinnesota lawmakers are considering an estimated $769 million project to renovate St. Paul’s arena complex.
The city of St. Paul and Minnesota Wild owner, Craig Leipold, are requesting approximately $394 million in state support to reinvigorate the arena complex, which includes the Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul. Presented to state legislators earlier this month, the proposed project seeks to transform the city’s aging entertainment hub, building capacity for further investment in St. Paul.
“Big things are happening, but with the city-owned 25-year-old facility nearing the end of its competitive lifespan, we need action,” St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said during a state committee meeting. “The Arena Complex must be modernized to stay competitive, not just with other NHL arenas and entertainment venues, but within our own market.”
The Arena Complex in downtown St. Paul, which includes the Xcel Energy Center, the St.Paul RiverCentre and the Roy Wilkins Auditorium, is recognized as “the most prolific driver of economic activity in St.Paul,” according to city officials.
Boasting over 2.1 million visitors and $383 million in spending annually, the complex hosts a variety of concerts, cultural events, exhibitions, graduations and athletic tournaments and leagues.
The Xcel Energy Center, opened within the complex in 2000, was designed for a service life of 25 years, home to both the Minnesota Wild and Minnesota Frost professional hockey teams. Now entering its 25th year of service, the center will seek additional funding for its competitive transformation.
St. Paul’s proposal would renovate, upgrade and expand the complex’s current offerings, aiming to rejuvenate the city’s entertainment landscape, stimulate economic development and catalyze additional investments in the city.
The project proposal would use the state’s funding in addition to $215.8 million from the Minnesota Wild organization and $158.8 million from the city and other local partners.
The proposed renovation is anticipated to drive economic growth throughout downtown, including boosting annual spending to $493 million, creating nearly 2,300 union construction jobs and providing more than 5,000 permanent positions to residents.
While the state House Capital Investment Committee did not vote on the matter, the committee gathers biweekly to discuss pending legislation. If the state were to approve funding, the first phase of construction is expected to begin as early as 2026. More information on the renovation project can be found here.
The state’s greenlight on the renovation would advance St. Paul’s Downtown Revitalization framework, which seeks to reinvigorate the city’s core with enhanced public safety measures, parks, housing options, vibrancy and economic opportunity.
As part of this revitalization plan, city officials recently proposed a $130 million housing plan to state lawmakers that would develop a 20-story apartment tower and six-story building in the heart of St. Paul. Built near and above the Metro Green Line, the proposal would provide increased housing and transportation options for residents while aligning with the city’s vision for the future.
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