North St. Paul council reviews feasibility study showing roughly $3 million local gap to reopen community center

Consultants from EAPC Architects & Engineers told the North St. Paul City Council on June 17 that renovating the city’s former community center would require substantial work and a significant local investment even with $5.3 million in state and federal grants already secured. Mike Clark, director of EAPC’s civic design group, summarized that the consultants’ hard‑construction estimate is about $6.5 million and, after typical soft costs and allowances (including a $250,000 gym floor allowance), the city’s additional capital need was presented in a range of roughly $2.88 million to about $3.075 million.

The study, which includes analysis by Ballard King and Associates, examined building condition, market demand and operating models. Ballard King consultant Darren Bar said the city’s population alone is “small, way too small of a population” to fully sustain a 30,000‑square‑foot center and recommended drawing users from a broader 10‑minute drive area or offering unique programming to attract regional users.

Why it matters: the grants carry conditions that affect design and operations and could be clawed back if the facility does not meet requirements.…