McCollum’s $11.9 Million for Local Arts and Community-Building Projects Advances

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) and the House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2023 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Bill and report today, including three Community Project Funding (CPF) requests made by Congresswoman McCollum to benefit Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District:

• Project: North End Community Center ($4,000,000)
  This funding would be used to complete construction of the North End Community Center and provide state-of-the-art amenities to encourage social and physical activity.
• Project: Playwrights' Center Renovation ($4,000,000)
  This funding would be used for the redesign and renovation of the Playwrights' Center, which supports playwrights and promotes new plays to production at theaters across the country.
• Project: Ordway Center for Performing Arts Facilities Improvement ($3,930,000)
  This funding would be used to replace the roof above the Ordway's Music Theater, upgrade its lighting infrastructure, and install LED light fixtures – so it can continue to provide opportunities to engage, entertain, and inspire our community.

"Minnesota's Fourth District is home to a thriving arts and humanities community," CongresswomanMcCollum said. "The Ordway and Playwrights' Center provide significant cultural value, and I'm proud to advance this federal funding that will help these institutions thrive. Additionally, the North End Community Center will be a fantastic space for young people to build community and engage in healthy and fulfilling activities."

"The North End Community Center will be a hub of activity and service in the most deeply diverse and statistically young community in Saint Paul," said Saint Paul City Council President and Ward 5 Council Member Amy Brendmoen. "Representative McCollum has been a leading advocate for this state-of-the-art, eco-conscious, deal-changing investment in her district. The building design is forward-thinking with green construction and energy efficiency from the in-ground geothermal heat to the massive solar array on top. The design is unique also in its ability to orient toward sports that are traditionally dominated by girls and women (e.g. badminton and volleyball); this flexibility makes it accessible and welcoming for more of the community, and creates a regional setting to host these sports' tournaments. We can't wait to start this major construction project in the North End!"

"This investment in Playwrights' Center's future is an investment in not only the art of storytelling, but a public commitment to entrust artists to see our world forward together," said Playwrights' Center Producing Artistic Director Jeremy B. Cohen. Managing Director Robert Chelimsky added: "We're grateful to Rep. McCollum for her deep support for this vibrant new home for Playwrights' Center, which we know will have a transformational impact on this corner of Saint Paul, and the larger community."

"This funding would provide critical support for much-needed capital improvements at our venue, including replacing a roof that is past the end of its life and upgrading an aging lighting system," said Ordway President and CEO Chris Harrington. "These funds would ensure that the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts continues to be a state-of-the-art, energy-efficient gathering place where everyone can experience the wonder of the performing arts."

Background:

For 2023, the T-HUD bill provides funding of $90.9 billion, an increase of $9.9 billion – more than 12 percent – above 2022. This includes an increase of $8.9 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development and $837 million for the Department of Transportation. In total, the bill provides $168.5 billion in total budgetary resources, an increase of $11.5 billion above 2022.

The legislation:

• Creates and sustains tens of thousands of good-paying American jobs by rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure with significant investments in airports, highways, transit, passenger rail, and port systems
• Grows opportunity through homeownership and rental assistance, including more than 140,000 new housing vouchers targeted to individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness and approximately 5,600 new units for seniors and persons with disabilities
• Supports the vulnerable with public housing safety, maintenance, and improvement investments, such as the remediation of lead paint and radon and installation of energy and water efficient systems
• Promotes safe transportation and housing with a skilled and growing workforce to conduct inspections, mitigate hazards, and study emerging threats and innovative solutions
• Includes more than $2.6 billion to reduce emissions, increase resiliency, and address historical inequities in transportation and housing programs
• Supports community projects identified by 331 Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle that increase the safety and viability of our airports, highways, and transit systems as well as strengthen our housing, businesses, and community infrastructure

The bill next heads to the floor of the U.S. House Floor for debate and approval.

A summary of the bill is here. The text of the bill is here. The bill report is here. In keeping with the Appropriations Committee's commitment to transparency, information on Rep. McCollum's Community Project Funding requests is available here.

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