$18.6 Million Bond Sought From From Senate Office Building Opponent St. Cloud’s Jim Knoblach

ST. PAUL (AP) — An opponent of a new Minnesota Senate office building could be on the hook for about $18.6 million if his lawsuit doesn't succeed on appeal and construction is delayed.

The Minnesota attorney general's office asked the Court of Appeals on Tuesday to force former Republican Rep. Jim Knoblach to post a bond to cover potential cost overruns. Knoblach has tried to block the disputed building, and his case is the final obstacle to a project that would cost taxpayers about $77 million and users of a parking ramp $13 million.

The state expects to start incurring delay costs in mid-May. Groundbreaking is slated for early July.

Knoblach's lawyer says he will fight the request, but says if a bond is required it would be tough to proceed with the lawsuit.