ST. CLOUD -- It's early in the 2018 legislative session and lawmakers are looking at a bonding year.

The bonding bill allows the government to borrow money for new buildings, roads and other projects throughout the state. State Representative Jim Knoblach is the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. The committee overseas bonding requests.

He says there are several projects in St. Cloud that could use some state bonding money.

"One of the biggest needs in St. Cloud is remodeling the Armory building on Veterans Drive. There is only one single stall bathroom for women. It's a 50-plus facility and it really needs some renovations."

Knobloch says this is the first time in a while St. Cloud State University and the St. Cloud Technical and Community College has not requested bonding money for building renovations.

Waite Park officials are asking for $5-million in state bonding money for their amphitheater project. Knoblach says it's an interesting project that has lawmakers in debate.

"There are people here that feel if a local government wants to build something they should do it themselves. I think this is an interesting project that would attract a lot of people to our area and be a good economic development project for the area."

Knoblach says Minneapolis is also looking at bonding money for an amphitheater project. The preliminary budget for the bonding bill is roughly $800-million.

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