Hearings on ballpark funding slated for public

Peter McLaughlin, one of the four Hennepin County Commissioners who supported a new Twins ballpark before any public hearings had been held. McLaughlin is up for re-election this year.

The Hennepin County Board will hold three public hearings during the week of Aug. 21 before it votes on imposing a countywide sales tax to help finance a new Minnesota Twins ballpark in downtown Minneapolis.
County residents are invited to provide input at the hearings in Minneapolis, Bloomington and Maple Grove. The Minneapolis hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 22 from 5 to 7 p.m., Board Room, 24th floor, Hennepin County Government Center, 300 S. 6th St. If you miss that one, the other hearings take place as follows:
6–8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23, Council Chambers, Bloomington Civic Plaza, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington;
6–8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, Council Chambers, Maple Grove Government Center, 12800 Arbor Lakes Parkway, Maple Grove.
Under the state of Minnesota’s authorizing legislation, the outdoor ballpark on the Rapid Park site, adjacent to the Target Center, will be financed in part by a Hennepin County sales tax of 0.15 percent (three cents on a $20 purchase, excluding clothing, food, medical supplies and automobiles). The county’s share of financing the ballpark is $350 million for construction and infrastructure costs, while the Twins organization is to contribute $130 million.
The proposal for a 42,000-seat ballpark was approved by the State Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Tim Pawlenty in May.
The legislation does not require a referendum in connection with the county sales-tax increase.
Once the hearings are held, the board will vote on authorizing the tax levy—probably sometime in September. If final approval is given by the board, ballpark construction is expected to begin next year, with the new ballpark scheduled to open for the start of the 2010 Major League Baseball season.