In St. Paul’s Midway, a new 2/3-acre “Great Lawn” park, three new city blocks and one of the largest shared storm water systems in the nation will be built next year between the McDonald’s restaurant that sits along University Avenue and the northern edge of a future professional soccer stadium.

After almost two hours of discussion, a divided St. Paul City Council voted 4-3 Wednesday night to approve roughly $4 million in new infrastructure improvements within the Midway Shopping Center north of Shields Avenue. About half that money represents new public funding that had not previously been budgeted.

Together with the $200 million Minnesota United stadium, “this is probably the biggest investment outside of downtown,” said council member Dai Thao, who represents the Midway. He joined Russ Stark, Chris Tolbert and Amy Brendmoen in supporting the proposal. “This is a short-term investment for much bigger long-term gain.”

Jane Prince, Dan Bostrom and Rebecca Noecker voted against the expenditures.

Critics at the public hearing were few but vocal. Shirley Erstad, executive director of Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County, said the contract with Minnesota United guarantees only two days of city programming within the Great Lawn per year. And neither the city nor Minnesota United will own the parkland, which will sit within private shopping center property that is leased from RD Management.

Ongoing construction of Allianz Field — the Major League Soccer stadium — has been privately funded by Minnesota United and its backers, but the new infrastructure for the adjoining shopping center comes from a variety of both public and private sources, including an estimated $1.14 million in city storm water assessments on future real estate development.

The seven-member council, which met Wednesday as the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, approved construction next year of about two-thirds of the site’s future roads, including three new street blocks within the Midway Shopping Center — extensions of North Asbury Street, Simpson Street and Spruce Street — around the future Great Lawn.

In addition, a 35-foot-wide pedestrian walkway will connect Shields Avenue and Spruce Street, framing the Great Lawn on its east.

PARK DEBATE

For the new 2/3-acre Great Lawn park, “the team will be responsible for all the basics of maintenance, including operations and security,” said city parks director Mike Hahm.

Stark, who represents part of the Midway, called the team’s private operation of the Great Lawn “an unusually good” long-term arrangement for the city, which will be relieved of an estimated $25,000 in annual maintenance costs.

Noecker, however, expressed concern that the contract leaves park use, hours and naming rights up to the team and does not better spell out public access.

“I want to make sure we’re really getting the best deal possible,” she said.

“This really isn’t a ‘public’ park,” Prince said.

“Some of this is (tax increment financing) proceeds, and some of this is our HRA general fund,” said Prince, interviewed before the vote. “It’s really flexible money we’re being asked to give up for soccer.”

Bostrom noted that the new funding exceeded the $18 million the city had already agreed to.

In March 2016, the city council approved $16.1 million in infrastructure funding for the area south of Shields Avenue, mostly from four of the city’s pre-existing tax increment financing accounts, as well as $2 million in additional funds for environmental cleanup throughout the stadium and shopping center site.

The council also approved a preliminary plat for the privately funded soccer stadium, as well as a master plan for the 35-acre Snelling-Midway “super block,” in August 2016. The council voted unanimously to finalize the plat Wednesday.

MIDWAY SPENDING APPROVED WEDNESDAY

A $5 million shared storm water district: $3 million was previously budgeted. New funding includes $1.14 million in city financing, paid back through future assessments. $416,000 from a Capital Region Watershed grant. $750,000 in city tax increment financing funding (TIF).

“Great Lawn” 2/3-acre park: $250,000 from city tax increment financing funding (TIF) and the HRA Loan Enterprise Fund. At least $140,000 from Minnesota United. The team provides future maintenance.

Three new city blocks and a 35-foot walkway around the Great Lawn: $250,000 of HRA “pooled” TIF funds will pay for half the roads. Minnesota United pays at least $250,000.

Moving traffic signals from Spruce Street and Snelling Avenue to Shields Avenue, as well as median island improvements along Snelling: $750,000 from St. Paul Public Works tax increment financing funds.

Soft costs: $400,000 for a transportation management plan, administrative and legal costs.