Senate panel lays over extension for Oak Park Heights transition funds

Sen. Housley presented Senate File 3696 to extend the timeframe for Oak Park Heights to use funds appropriated in 2023 to assist transition of the Allen S. King plant site after the plant's scheduled retirement in 2028. Carly Johnson, a city council member, told the committee that the city still lacks a final decision from Xcel Energy about the site's future and that critical water and sewer infrastructure must be assessed before redevelopment.

Johnson said the 1958 plant accounts for a significant share of Oak Park Heights' tax base (the number cited was about 27% of net tax capacity) and that the city wants to use previously allocated funds for predesign and other public-infrastructure work to support future redevelopment and replacement of the tax base. City engineer Lee Mann was present to answer technical questions.

Committee members asked about potential uses, the extent of infrastructure needs, and next steps. The committee laid Senate File 3696 over for possible inclusion in the capital investment bill.