Faribault City Administrator Tim Murray provided an overview of the proposed Downtown (Viaduct Area) Park to the Minnesota House Capital Investment Committee on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at South Central College as part of a southeastern Minnesota Bonding Tour.
The City of Faribault is seeking $2.7 million from the Minnesota Legislature to help transform the 2.7 acres of riverfront, open greenspace north of the Hwy. 60 viaduct into a four-season recreational park after years of strategically planning to use parkland as a catalyst for positive change in the downtown area. Featured in the park will be a splash pad, refrigerated skating loop, multi-use building, and more.
Within the last five years, a considerable amount of investment has been made – both publicly and privately – in the Downtown Historic District and its immediate area, and the addition of a regional park of this magnitude represents a unique opportunity in further increasing foot traffic and boosting activity, and as a result, vibrancy.
The Minnesota Legislature typically finalizes the bonding bill toward the end of the legislative session, which is generally in mid-May. Supporting bills have been authored by Rep. Brian Daniels and Sen. John Jasinski. The goal is to have the park open to the public in 2025.
