AUGUST 2021
Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter Proposes a 6.9% Property Tax Increase
Last week, Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter unveiled his 2022 budget proposal. Included in his budget proposal was a 6.9% increase in property taxes, which is equivalent to a $127 increase for a median value home in Saint Paul.
The mayor acknowledged that this tax increase could negatively impact people who were financially burdened due to the pandemic, which is why he also proposed a program to assist low-income homeowners, this program would receive $600,000 under the mayor’s proposed budget.
This proposal, to increase property taxes by 6.9%, is higher than the increase that the City Council called for in their recommendations to the mayor, their recommendation was to increase property taxes somewhere between 2-4 percent.
From the Pioneer Press: “the Saint Paul City Council will have until September to vote upon a maximum property tax levy. They’ll then have until early December to finalize any budget changes and approve the final tax levy, which can be lower than but not greater than the amount approved in September.”
RiversEdge Development
Ramsey County and AECOM are working to redevelop a part of downtown Saint Paul, along the river’s edge.
From Ramsey County: “After deconstructing the former Adult Detention Center and Ramsey County Government Center West buildings to prepare the site for new development, Ramsey County entered into a preliminary development agreement with AECOM.
The proposed $788 million development with four new towers will transform how downtown residents, workers and visitors connect with the Mississippi River. Proposed private development could yield more than $15 million in new property tax revenue per year.
Ramsey County and AECOM are in the process of creating technical engineering and design documents, seeking regulatory clearances, initiating public engagement activities, and starting negotiation of a development agreement. Construction on the site is anticipated to begin in 2020 or 2021.”
- 9+ new acres of public space for a world-class urban park.
- $800 million+ private development.
- 5,000+ construction, hospitality and service industry jobs created.
- $15 million+ in new annual property tax revenue.
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$5 million dedicated to new affordable housing fund.
- Four towers with approximately
- 50 condo units.
- 350 apartment units.
- 160 hotel rooms.
- 30,000 square feet of retail.
- 950,000 square feet of Class A office space.
- 1,600 parking spaces
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SPAAR’s Housing Affordability Task Force is a group of SPAAR members concerned about the rising cost of housing.
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Saint Paul's Mayoral race will be decided by ranked choice, meaning voter can rank up to six candidates in order of preference. There will be eight candidates on the ballot.
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Members in the Rondo Community of Saint Paul say that neighbors haven't had enough input on plans for the land bridge project.
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Saint Paul City Council is considering reducing or eliminating minimum parking requirements for new real estate developments.
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East Metro cities will receive $700 million from 3M for water-quality projects.
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A local group is fighting the proposal for the $475 million rapid-transit bus line from Saint Paul to White Bear Lake.
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The city of Shoreview is updating it's Parks & Recreation System Plan to outline future needs of the City's parks, trails, and recreation facilities.
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An 80-unit affordable senior housing development funded in part by a $2 million federal grant is nearing construction in Anoka.
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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey vetoed a proposed ballot measure that would let voters directly approve rent control measures while allowing another question that could give rent control powers to the City Council.
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Minneapolis is bringing back rooming houses to ease the city's housing shortage problems and help stabilize people who are homeless or on the brink of it.
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Construction of an affordable housing development, first approved by the Plymouth City Council in November 2017, is underway.
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Less than two weeks until the Great Minnesota Get Together! SPAAR's Government Affairs Directors, Simon Opatz and Becky Wegscheid, are sharing the new food and drinks that look the most enticing. Let us know what you plan on trying at the 2021 State Fair!
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ChoriPop: Vegan chorizo by The Herbivorous Butcher dipped in a classic corndog batter, deep-fried on-a-stick with choice of avocado salsa or mole sauce drizzled on top or on the side. Served with Mexican BBQ chips.
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Jumbo Donut Sundae: A jumbo frosted yeast-raised donut available in a variety of flavors, topped with vanilla soft-serve ice cream, hot fudge and blend of sprinkles.
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Buffalo Chicken Doughscuit: Fluffy biscuit-style doughnuts stuffed with shredded chicken, glazed with a sweet & spicy buffalo icing, and topped with crispy bacon bits.
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Pizza Lucy: Sausage patty topped with pizza sauce, pepperoni and mozzarella cheese, stuffed in homemade Green Mill pizza dough, and topped with Italian seasonings, cheese and crumbled pepperoni.
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La Floretta: Oven-roasted cauliflower florets seasoned with Iron Range herbs and spices and served with Calabrian sweet chili sauce.
And a couple of bonus drink that we look forward to testing:
Lake Storm Lemonade: A lavender-infused lemonade featuring other citrus juices, zest, sparkling water and simple syrup.
Blue Razzmataz: A colorful infusion of beer and blue raspberry that results in perfectly balanced sweetness.
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If you have an issue in your community that needs the attention of REALTORS® or if you have interesting advocacy stories to share, please reach out to Vice President of Advocacy & Community Engagement Joe McKinley or Government Affairs Directors, Simon Opatz or Becky Wegscheid.
The work of the REALTOR® Party relies on your investment in the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC).
Click here to learn about RPAC's non-partisan advocacy for homeowners and the real estate industry.
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