Ok then, shame on Richfield city leaders too. That's been their top legislative priority. That's sad.
Likewise. Particularly pressing matters that would warrant state funding (besides just a general bump in LGA funds)? TBH, This is something I haven't thought much about.Other than replacing the HUB, what are the other pressing matters for the city of Richfield? I'm curious.
Other Richfield-adjacent infrastructure projects that could use the funding would include 494/35W reconstruction and related Orange Line stuff, the supposed expansion of 62, west of Penn. But those projects are more likely to get funded through traditional MNDOT streams or Corridors of Commerce or something.
Richfield doesn't really have anything that is regionally significant within its borders. The most regionally significant thing about Richfield ARE its borders (the highways that surround it) and its amazing location (relative to other 1st ring burbs).
IMO, infrastructure-wise, Richfield is doing pretty well on adding bike lanes and trails (big thanks to 3 Rivers Parks & Hennepin County too!). Hennepin County is making the rounds over the next decade redoing every county road, which improves sidewalks, adds bike infra, etc. More sidewalks on city streets would be nice, but I don't see how they could get state funding for that...unless it was part of a larger package directed at improving walkability in older suburbs.
My point is, what else would you have them lobby for bonding money? Nothing at all? This underpass is far from necessary, but it certainly isn't going to harm Richfield (perhaps aside from higher local property taxes to pay for the damn thing).