On August 21, 2024, on a closely divided 5-4 vote, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board passed a resolution reallocating $10.3 million in capital improvement funds from a range of neighborhood park projects to the proposed $45 million redevelopment of North Commons Park, the bulk of which will go to a new recreational center.
Featuring a water park, multiple sports courts, a craft room, and multipurpose space, North Commons will be the most expensive recreation center project in Park Board history.
The $10.3 million reallocated by the board’s vote comes from its 20-Year Neighborhood Park Plan (NPP20), a fund established in collaboration with the City of Minneapolis that raised over $220 million through a combination of property tax levies and direct contributions from the city.
Its purpose was to address deferred maintenance and make capital improvements to each park within the park board’s jurisdiction. Deferred maintenance funds are unaffected by the board’s vote, but the reallocation will force the reprioritization of existing capital improvement projects, which park board staff stated would already require a second round of funding to complete.
Originally budgeted at $35 million, the cost of the proposed North Commons project has since ballooned by over 25%, leaving an approximately $16.4 million shortfall. With the now-approved reallocation of $10.3 million, there remains a $6.1 million deficit for the project, with additional fundraising needed to close the gap.
Of the existing funds, the private, non-profit Minneapolis Parks Foundation has raised nearly $12 million, and hopes to reach a total of $16.5 million.
The park board has made up the balance from federal, state and local sources. Its recent effort to secure additional state funds failed with the demise of the bonding bill during the last legislative session.
During the August 21 meeting, park commissioners spoke at length about their view on the proposed reallocation, both pro and con. The debate itself was civil, thoughtful and respectful.
Commissioners speaking in favor of the resolution cited the benefits of the completed project, the problem of historic underinvestment in North Minneapolis, and argued that the Board’s highly visible commitment to the project would aid in future fundraising.
Commissioners who voted against the project argued that it would delay or halt investment in a range of parks lower down on the Board’s equity matrix, and was at odds with the express purpose of the NPP20 funds, which was to broadly address deferred maintenance and capital improvements throughout the park system.
Commissioners voting no also expressed concern diverting funds from maintenance to one large, new project could undermine the willingness of the city or state to provide future funds.
In an email to constituents, District 4 Park Commissioner Elizabeth Shaffer, who voted against the resolution, noted that the reallocation would force delays to about 50 other park improvement projects. Locally impacted parks include Loring Park, Stevens Square Park, Kenwood Park and Washburn Fair Oaks. Reached for comment after the vote, Shaffer said:
Commissioners voting for the resolution: President Meg Forney, Billy Menz, Tom Olsen, Charles Rucker, and Becka Thompson. Commissioners voting against: Cathy Abene, Becky Alper, Steffanie Musich and Elizabeth Shaffer.
