North St. Paul council weighs repurposing community‑center grant for water tower, parks or McNite complex

Councilors in North St. Paul spent the second half of the workshop debating how to reallocate state and federal grant funds tied to a now‑cancelled community multicultural outreach center feasibility study. The council had previously directed staff to terminate the architect contract and explore reallocation options.

Staff indicated the state component of the potential grant is about $4.5 million. Councilors and staff discussed several reallocation ideas: fund a northern-area water tower (a project staff said is roughly comparable in cost to the grant), fund park upgrades (Tower Park playground improvements and pick‑leisure amenities), or invest in the McNite complex to preserve community-activity uses. Several council members emphasized preserving the grant’s "community benefit" intent.

Cassidy (as named in the transcript) said she remains a strong supporter of a community facility and argued funds should stay focused on community-serving uses: “The funds that were granted to us and that were advocated for were funds for our community,” she said. Another councilor proposed repurposing the grant to pay for the water tower and then transfer water-fund dollars to pay for a simple, one‑story replacement community building; that approach would free some funds for demolition, regrading and other site work at the existing community center parcel.

Library continuity was a recurring principle. Councilors repeatedly stated they want to keep a Ramsey County library presence in the city — either in a retained or redeveloped community‑center site or in a short‑term leased space — and asked staff to coordinate with the county library system to determine options and costs. Staff warned that relocation and modification costs could be substantial and that the county’s scheduling may delay decisions.

Council members also discussed alternative site strategies including selling the building (with contract caveats to preserve library service), demolishing the facility and relocating equipment (generator and fiber), or pursuing a sale/lease structure that preserves city ownership of the land while allowing a private party to renovate the building under a long-term lease.

What comes next: Council established two guiding principles for any reallocation — preserve community benefit and strive to keep a library presence in North St. Paul — and asked staff to return with more detailed cost estimates for repurposing the grant, demolition and equipment relocation, and to consult with Ramsey County Library about relocation options.