By Sommer Wagen
With the plan presentation to the city council for a redesigned city campus pushed back another two weeks, the fates of Roseville tax dollars and community centers are still up in the air.
Nearly a decade after initial discussions began in 2016, plans for a new public works building and license center at Roseville’s City Campus are slowly moving forward through the City Council.
Design plans by Minneapolis-based architecture firm BKV Group were originally set to be presented at the June 2 council meeting but have been rescheduled for June 16.
The Roseville Reporter did not receive comment on why the presentation was delayed.
The plans involve relocating the Roseville License Center, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7555, and the Roseville School of Dance across Woodhill Drive to the City Campus to make room for a new Maintenance Operations Center (MOC).
In November, Roseville voters approved a 0.5% sales tax to fund the MOC, which would increase yard space for Public Works and Parks and Recreation vehicles, centralize city equipment and reduce congestion inside and outside the facility.
Voters did not approve a sales tax to fund a new license center, meaning that portion of the project would need to be funded through property taxes.
“This split result is a challenge, as the original site plans did not entertain such a result,” City Council Member Matt Bauer said in an email. “It’s important for me to select a plan that has the least impact on property taxes while still meeting our needs.”
The sales tax to fund the MOC will begin July 1. It will expire in 20 years or once it generates the $64.2 million needed for the project.
Bauer said he will closely review license center proposals, noting the existing center generates $200,000 in profit annually, which offsets property taxes.
He also said the City Council has asked the city manager to explore alternative plans that make use of the existing maintenance facility at 2660 Civic Center Drive, located across Woodhill.
Use of the current facility has emerged as a key sustainability concern.
According to information available to the Reporter, additional resident concerns include the proposed closure of a gas station at the site and the fate of the VFW post. Reporter Tam McGehee raised several questions in a previous report, when the plans were still scheduled for June 2 presentation.
Bauer said he could not answer those questions until the updated plans are released.
“I, like many residents, have a number of concerns that need to be worked through,” he said. “I’m confident we will, as a City Council and as a community, find the right solution.”
To review previous plans, needs studies and decisions up to the 2024 Referendum, go to: https://www.cityofroseville.com/3964/Maintenance-Operations-Center
Photo caption: An aerial view of the MOC from a presentation given in January. Photo Courtesy of the City of Roseville.
