Legislative Priorities

Integrated Solid Waste Management Campus 

St. Louis County's Integrated Solid Waste Management Campus aligns with the State's goal to protect ecosystem health, remediate PFAS (Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl substances) contaminated sites, and manage PFAS in waste by constructing an advanced leachate treatment facility in Canyon that will provide a solution for the entire Northeast region. This new facility will serve as a repository for leachate generated by landfills within the region as well as consolidate old landfills and dumps into a lined facility to contain PFAS-contaminated waste.

What is PFAS?

PFAS is a large family of man-made chemicals that are forever present in the environment due to frequent use since the 1930s. At certain levels they are toxic--causing adverse health effects in humans, fish, and wildlife.

Legislative Request: $6M 

Integrated Solid Waste Management Campus
  

St. Louis County Heritage & Arts Center (The Depot) Asset Renovation

The St. Louis County Heritage and Arts Center (The Depot) has received $1.5M to make life safety improvements, but is still in need of critical infrastructure improvements for its historic building so the Depot can continue to:

• Serve as a regional hub of education for diverse audiences in arts, history, culture, and agriculture.
• Provide opportunities for community engagement through free events and community collaborations.
• Enable multiple non-profit organizations to contribute to the vibrancy of the arts and culture in St. Louis County and the region.
• Preserve integrity of structure and lead to energy efficiencies and a reduction in carbon footprint.
• Support the statewide goals of Northern Lights Express (NLX) of fiscal growth, economic development, job growth and increased tourism revenue (due to its adjacency).

Requesting: $8M with a match of $8M

Revitalize an Icon

The Problem: 
Scandia Cemetery is a privately owned cemetery located overlooking the shore of Lake Superior. In recent months, erosion from the Great Lake has uncovered human remains and left numerous other graves precariously close to the edge. The cemetery dates back to 1881. Its association does not have the means to address the issue. Recognizing that immediate action is needed, St. Louis County has stepped up to address the concern in a permanent way. 

The Solution: 

• Construct a permanent concrete retaining wall. 
• Stabilize Lake Superior shoreline.
• Construct an access road for future maintenance and operation needs.

The Problem: Currently, the Rock Ridge High School and Laurentian Elementary School campuses are only accessible via US 53 and Progress Parkway. This leads to hazardous traffic congestion at the intersection, especially during peak pick-up/drop-off times.  

The Solution:  

• A new 1.42 mile County State Aid Highway to connect MNTH 37 and US 53 in the City of Eveleth 
• New Roundabout at the intersection of Progress Parkway and Wolverine Way 
• 3- Lane Cross Section to accommodate future economic development. 
• Dedicated ped/bike trail on the west side of the corridor. 
• Dedicated ATV/snowmobile trail on the east side of the corridor.

Progress Parkway 

• $8M - Union Gospel Mission’s Mission Engagement Center & full funding for Housing Infrastructure Bonds for the Mission Heights Permanent Supportive Housing project 
• $7M - Ash River Wastewater Treatment and Collection System
• $14M - Duluth Airport Authority’s federal match request for a new traffic control tower
• Northern Lights Express (NLX) - support of MN Dept of Transportation’s federal request
• University of MN Medical School - support expansion to a four-year program in the Duluth Regional Exchange District