About the "Common Cent" 1% Sales Tax
In 2023, Saint Paul voters approved a 1% increase to the local option sales tax to be used for repairs and improvements to streets, bridges, parks and recreational facilities within the city. This “Common Cent” approach will generate nearly $1 billion over 20 years, of which $738 million of funds must go to streets and $246 million for parks.
The 1% local option sales and use tax was implemented on April 1, 2024. Learn more at stpaul.gov/salestax.
“With support from our Council, legislative leaders, and voters, we're ready to improve the safety and sustainability of our roads, and invest in the nationally-acclaimed Parks amenities that our residents enjoy every day. I am thrilled to finally transform this long-awaited investment into reality." - Mayor Carter
Parks and Recreation Facilities Improvements
Each year, Saint Paul parks, trails, and recreational facilities attract more than 15 million visitors from all over the country. The average building is approaching 40 years, and coupled with years of deferred maintenance, the aging facilities are deteriorating.
The city’s Parks and Recreation Department has over $600 million in assets and a current deferred maintenance backlog of more than $100 million, including $60 million in critical or urgent status and $40 million set to reach critical or urgent status within the next five years.
The revenue collected over 20 years will provide $246 million for improvements and upgrades Parks and Recreation facilities throughout the city. This investment will revitalize aging parks infrastructure with a focus on the worst-condition parks, community centers, trails, connections, and athletic facilities.
2024 Sales Tax Funded Projects
2024 projects were prioritized based on data points such as facility condition (fix what is broken), identified need (system plan and previous planning documents) and efficiencies gained through coordination with other projects.
Moving forward, the department will consider many factors when selecting projects, including utilizing our 5-year plan and recently updated System Plan to assess need and guide decisions from a system-wide and equitable lens. This revenue source is a multi-year effort with significant funding, and all areas of the city will see investment over the next several years.
While some projects listed below will be completed this year, others are multi-year projects in various stages of planning, community engagement, design, or construction, and may completed at a later date. As projects progress, we will work to keep the community informed on their status by providing updates to the list below.
Capital maintenance priorities focusing on deferred maintenance needs using facility condition data, on-site assessments and various planning documents.
Projects include:
- Central Village Park - Renovation
- Como Central Service Facility - Roofing and doors
- Como Park Conservatory - Movable cloth structures/shade curtains
- Como Park Ski Hill - Tow rope and electrical
- Como Park Zoo and Conservatory - Greenhouse ridge vent motors
- Como Park Zoo and Conservatory - Main zoo building exterior doors
- Como Park Zoo and Conservatory - Marine mammal building air conditioning units
- Dayton's Bluff Recreation Center - HVAC
- Edgcumbe Recreation Center - Gym floor and amenities
- Hamline Park – Site development
- Hamline Park Building – Stairs, walls and doors
- Hayden Heights Recreation Center - HVAC
- Highland Golf 9 hole Clubhouse - Roofing
- Highland Park Aquatic Center - Site lighting
- Highland Park Aquatic Center - Surveillance system
- Highland Park Community Center - Exterior doors
- Linwood Recreation Center - Fire alarm system
- Linwood Recreation Center - Retaining walls
- Martin Luther King Recreation Center - Air conditioning units
- Martin Luther King Recreation Center/Hallie Q Brown - Plumbing
- Martin Luther King Recreation Center/Hallie Q Brown - Roofing
- Oxford Community Center - Public address system
- Oxford Community Center – Roofing
- Phalen China Garden Pavilion - Roof
- Phalen Recreation Center - Exterior doors
- Toni Stone Stadium - Upgrades
- West 7th Community Center - Exterior windows
- Wilder Recreation Center - Roofing
Revitalization Projects - Asphalt/Pavement ($1,540,000)
- Battle Creek Recreation Center - Parking Lot
- Desnoyer Park - Sidewalks
- Groveland Recreation Center – ADA Upgrades
- Harriet Island Regional Park - Showboat Parking Lot
- Lilydale Regional Park - Boat Launch Park Lot
- Linwood Recreation Center - Sidewalks
- Mississippi River Boulevard - Various Trails
- Phalen Regional Park - Various Trails
- So. St. Anthony Park - Sidewalks
- West Minnehaha Recreation Center - Parking Lot
- Western Sculpture Park – Trails
Revitalization Projects - Fields ($4,875,000)
- Baker Park - Fields
- Groveland Recreation Center - Fields
- Highland Park Community Center - Fields
- Highwood Hills Recreation Center – Fields (MNUFC & Toro Partnership)
- Jimmy Lee Recreation Center - Lower Field Turf Replacement
- Langford Park Recreation Center - Fields
- Linwood Recreation Center - Fields
- McMurray Athletic Fields – Synthetic Turf Replacement
- Merriam Park Recreation Center - Fields
- North Dale Recreation Center - Fields
- Victoria Park - Fields
Revitalization Projects - Courts ($1,442,500)
Tennis & Pickleball Courts
Tennis and pickleball court court project updates will be shared on the Athletic Court Projects webpage as they become available.
- Dunning Park (Bucky Olsen Courts)
- Groveland Recreation Center
- Hayden Heights Recreation Center
- Merriam Park Recreation Center
- Pickleball upgrades per System Plan
- Remove single courts per System Plan
Basketball Courts
Basketball court project updates will be shared on the Athletic Court Projects webpage as they become available.
- Conway Park
- Hayden Heights Recreation Center
- Hancock Recreation Center
- Merriam Park Recreation Center
- Northwest Como Recreation Center
- Webster Park
Revitalization Projects - Play Areas ($1,565,625)
Play area project updates will be shared on the Play Area Projects webpage as they become available.
- Groveland Recreation Center
- Hayden Heights Recreation Center (Kaboom Partnership)
- Linwood Recreation Center (Kaboom Partnership)
- South St. Anthony Park
- Tilden Park
Revitalization Projects - Water Features ($1,000,000)
- Chestnut Plaza/Upper Landing Park Water Feature
- Great River Water Park/Oxford Pool
- Irvine Park Fountain
- Raspberry Island Fountain
- Splash pad upgrades (Roy Wilkins Park, Conway Park, Parque Castillo, Phalen Regional Park)
Downtown Park Improvements ($3,220,000)
- Osborn Plaza (Formerly EcoLab Plaza)
- Pedro Park
- Other deferred maintenance projects
River Learning Center Design ($100,000)
- Visit the River Learning Center project webpage for updates.
Athletic Complex Design ($100,000)
- More information will be shared as it becomes available.
Eastside Recreation Center Design ($60,000)
- More information will be shared as it becomes available.
River Balcony Design/City Lead ($100,000)
- Visit the River Balcony project webpage for updates.
The Heights (Hillcrest) Design/City Lead ($50,000)
- Visit the Park at the Heights project webpage for updates.
These projects represent our expected timelines, but some shifts or adjustments could occur due to market conditions, bid results, weather, or other unforeseen factors. While some projects will be completed this year, others are multi-year projects in various stages of planning, community engagement, design, or construction, and may completed at a later date.