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St. Paul, Minnesota Wild Unveil $600 Million Plan to Renovate Grand Casino Arena Complex With $200 Million State Ask

Legislative approval of a $200 million state share now becomes the key hurdle.

Overview

  • Under the framework, $450 million would go to Grand Casino Arena and $150 million to the RiverCentre and Roy Wilkins Auditorium, with $125 million of the state request earmarked for the arena and $75 million for the adjacent venues.
  • St. Paul would contribute $162.5 million, financed in part by extending its half‑cent sales tax, while the Minnesota Wild would privately fund $162.5 million.
  • The city and the team would work together to fund an additional $75 million for Roy Wilkins Auditorium, described as supporting a second phase of improvements.
  • The Wild agreed to cover any cost overruns, extend its lease, and continue managing the arena if the plan advances.
  • Officials cast the upgrades as vital to keeping the city-owned complex competitive and supporting downtown St. Paul, though prior state funding attempts stalled and backing this session remains uncertain.