Local Officials, Legislators Stave Off $1 Million in Cuts to Rock Island Swing Bridge

The Rock Island Swing Bridge project in Inver Grove Heights nearly fell victim to the state budget cutting process late in March, until a handful of local legislators and city officials rose up in defense of the park.

As part of a bill proposed on March 21 by District 4 Rep. Larry Howes (R), the bridge reconstruction, part of an 80-acre park slated for development along Concord Boulevard in Inver Grove Heights, would’ve lost roughly $1 million in state bond money that was promised to park planners in the form of grants.

The bill, District 39B Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL) said, targeted unexpended funding for development projects that had been delayed. Because the Rock Island Swing Bridge project has suffered from setbacks — in part related to flooding and a fire last November — it was identified in the bill as potential budget reduction target.

The grant money, Inver Grove Heights Parks and Recreation Director Eric Carlson argued, is particularly important to the development of the park because it is “seed money” — funding that could be used to leverage additional monetary support from other organizations. Losing the $1 million in state funding, Carlson said, would have damaged efforts to develop the Rock Island Swing Bridge and Heritage Village Park into a single, large park complex.

“We would have definitely had to change our strategy and change some of our timelines [if the money was cut],” Carlson said.

For that reason, Carlson and Inver Grove Heights Mayor George Tourville visited the State Capitol at the end of March to advocate against the cuts. Atkins also spoke with Rep. Howes to argue against the proposed reduction. In the end, Howes relented, removing the section from the bill that would’ve eliminated funding to the park project.

The city isn’t technically obligated to spend the $1 million until 2015, Carlson said. However, nearly losing that funding may speed up the city's  plans to develop the area around the Rock Island Swing Bridge, Carlson said. The bond money comes in the form of a grant managed by the Metropolitan Council, the director added, and will likely be spent to construct trails and parkland around the Rock Island Swing Bridge.

“It was a little bit of an eye-opener,” Carlson said of the attempt to cancel the funding. “Given the economy and politics involved, I guess it’s not safe to assume that if you have a grant, you’re going to get the grant.”

“At this point it would probably be in the city’s best interest to develop projects that would be grant eligible, so that we can commit the financing of this bond to those projects,” Carlson added.

Sen. Jim Metzen

Existing legislation:

— A bill authored by Metzen that would appropriate $100,000 for grants to the Star Lake Board to develop and implement pollution prevention lake and watershed management plans and designate certain waters as star lakes and rivers was referred to the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. SF 796, introduced on March 14.

– A resolution authored by Metzen urging the United States to allow Taiwan to participate in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is awaiting action by the State Government Innovation and Veterans Committee. SF 483, introduced on Feb. 28.

— A constitutional amendment co-authored by Metzen that would increase the terms of state legislators by two years is still awaiting a vote on the State Government Innovation and Veterans Committee. SF 868, introduced on March 17.

Rep. Joe Atkins

New Activity:

— Atkins authored a bill that would allow bed and breakfast businesses in Minnesota to serve a limited amount of Minnesota-produced beer. HF 1326, introduced on March 29.

Existing Legislation: 

— A bonding request proposed by Atkins that would provide funding for the creation of the Darvan Nature Center in Inver Grove Heights is still awaiting a vote by the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee. HF 690, introduced on Feb. 24.

—A bill co-authored by Atkins that would appropriate $3 million for noise barriers along Hwy. 52 is still awaiting a vote on the Transportation Policy and Finance Committee. HF 477, introduced on Feb. 14.