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.

Sales Tax Funded Projects 

The projects below are prioritized based on data points such as facility condition, identified need, and efficiencies gained through coordination with other projects. Projects listed are either complete, anticipated to begin in the near-term, or part of multi-year projects in various stages of planning, community engagement, design, or construction, and may be completed at a later date. Additional projects will be added as they are identified.

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.    
As projects progress, we will work to keep the community informed by providing status updates below.

Revitalization Projects - Buildings/Parks ($10,360,000)

Capital maintenance priorities focusing on deferred maintenance needs using facility condition data, on-site assessments and various planning documents.

Projects include: 
  • Arlington Hills Community Center - Card access upgrades - in progress
  • Central Village Park - Renovation - multi-year project initiated
  • Battle Creek Recreation Center - Security camera upgrades - expected Fall 2024
  • Como Central Service Facility - Roofing and doors - multi-year project initiated
  • Como Streetcar Station - Security upgrades - complete
  • Como Golf Clubhouse - maintenance - in progress
  • Como Park Ski Hill - Tow rope and electrical - multi-year project initiated
  • Como Park Zoo & Conservatory - Geothermal - multi-year project initiated
  • Como Park Zoo and Conservatory - Gorilla exhibit glass replacement - expected Fall 2024
  • Como Park Zoo and Conservatory - Greenhouse ridge vent motors - expected Winter 2024
  • Como Park Zoo and Conservatory - Main zoo building exterior doors - expected Fall 2024
  • Como Park Zoo and Conservatory - Marine mammal building HVAC - multi-year project initiated
  • Como Park Zoo and Conservatory - Movable cloth structures/shade curtains - expected Winter 2024
  • Como Park Zoo and Conservatory - Kiosk WiFi/Outlets - multi-year project initiated
  • Citywide - Hockey board upgrades - expected Fall 2024
  • Citywide - Refrigerated rink upgrades - expected Winter 2024
  • Citywide - Soccer net upgrades - expected Fall 2024
  • Citywide - Public art maintanence - expected Winter 2024
  • Dayton's Bluff Recreation Center - HVAC - multi-year project initiated
  • Edgcumbe Recreation Center - Gym floor and amenities - expected Fall 2024
  • Hamline Park  – Site development - multi-year project initiated
  • Hamline Park Building – Stairs, walls and doors - multi-year project initiated
  • Hayden Heights Recreation Center - HVAC - multi-year project initiated
  • Highland Bridge - Pavers - expected Fall 2024
  • Highland Golf 9 Hole Clubhouse - Roofing - multi-year project initiated
  • Highland Park Aquatic Center - Site lighting - expected Fall 2024
  • Highland Park Aquatic Center - Surveillance system - complete
  • Highland Park Community Center - Exterior doors - expected Fall 2024
  • Linwood Recreation Center - Fire alarm system - expected Fall 2024
  • Linwood Recreation Center - Retaining walls - multi-year project initiated
  • Martin Luther King Recreation Center/Hallie Q Brown - Plumbing - expected Winter 2024
  • Martin Luther King Recreation Center/Hallie Q Brown - Roofing - multi-year project initiated
  • Martin Luther King Recreation Center - HVAC upgrades - multi-year project initiated
  • Merriam Park Recreation Center - HVAC upgrades - expected Fall 2024
  • McMurrary Athletic Fields - Net replacements  - complete
  • Newell Park - Site upgrades - expected Fall 2024
  • Newell Park Building - Security upgrades - complete
  • Oxford Community Center - Public address system - complete
  • Oxford Community Center – Roofing - multi-year project initiated
  • Phalen China Garden Pavilion - Roof - expected Fall 2024
  • Phalen Maintenance Building - Cameras - expected Fall 2024
  • Phalen Recreation Center - Exterior doors - expected Fall 2024
  • Rice & Arlington Building - Security upgrades - expected Fall 2024
  • SW Maintenance Building - Card/gate access upgrades - expected Fall 2024
  • Toni Stone Stadium - Upgrades - multi-year project initiated
  • West 7th Community Center - Exterior windows - expected Fall 2024
  • Wilder Recreation Center - Roofing - multi-year project initiated

Revitalization Projects - Asphalt/Pavement  ($1,540,000)

  • Battle Creek Recreation Center - Parking Lot - complete
  • Desnoyer Park - Sidewalks - complete
  • Groveland Recreation Center – ADA Upgrades - multi-year project initiated
  • Harriet Island Regional Park - Showboat Parking Lot - construction scheduled to start Aug. 19, 2024
  • Lilydale Regional Park - Boat Launch Park Lot - complete
  • Linwood Recreation Center - Sidewalks - multi-year project initiated
  • Mississippi River Boulevard - Various Trails - multi-year project initiated
  • Rice & Arlington Sports Complex - Parking lot - construction scheduled to start Aug. 13, 2024
  • Phalen Regional Park - Various trails - complete
  • Phalen Regional Park - Channel parking lot  - multi-year project initiated
  • So. St. Anthony Park - Sidewalks  - multi-year project initiated
  • West Minnehaha Recreation Center  - Parking Lot - complete
  • Western Sculpture Park – Trails - expected Fall 2024

Revitalization Projects - Fields ($4,875,000)

  • Baker Park - Fields  - multi-year project initiated
  • Groveland Recreation Center - Fields  - multi-year project initiated
  • Highland Park Community Center - Fields  - multi-year project initiated
  • Highwood Hills Recreation Center – Fields (MNUFC & Toro Partnership) - construction scheduled for Aug. 21, 2024
  • Jimmy Lee Recreation Center - Lower Field Turf Replacement - complete
  • Langford Park Recreation Center - Fields  - multi-year project initiated
  • Linwood Recreation Center - Fields - multi-year project initiated
  • McMurray Athletic Fields – Synthetic Turf Replacement  - multi-year project initiated
  • Merriam Park Recreation Center - Fields  - multi-year project initiated
  • North Dale Recreation Center - Fields  - multi-year project initiated
  • Victoria Park - Fields - construction in progress 

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. 

Tennis Court Project Updates

Basketball Courts

Basketball court project updates will be shared on the Athletic Court Projects webpage as they become available. 

Basketball Court Project Updates

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  - multi-year project initiated
  • Hayden Heights Recreation Center (Kaboom Partnership) - complete
  • Linwood Recreation Center (Kaboom Partnership)  - multi-year project initiated
  • Merriam Park Recreation Center (Kaboom Project)  - multi-year project initiated
  • South St. Anthony Park   - multi-year project initiated
  • Tilden Park  - multi-year project initiated

 Play Area Project Updates 

Revitalization Projects - Water Features ($1,000,000)

  • Chestnut Plaza/Upper Landing Park Water Feature  - multi-year project initiated
  • Great River Water Park/Oxford Pool  - multi-year project initiated
  • Irvine Park Fountain  - multi-year project initiated
  • Raspberry Island Fountain  - multi-year project initiated
  • Splash pad upgrades (Roy Wilkins Park, Conway Park, Parque Castillo, Phalen Regional Park)   - expected Fall 2024

Downtown Park Improvements ($3,220,000)

River Learning Center Design ($100,000)

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)

The Heights (Hillcrest) Design/City Lead ($50,000)

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.

Last Edited: September 6, 2024