The Xcel Energy Center complex was reimagined by Sao Paulo

The City of St. Paul and the NHL’s Minnesota Wild proposed a major renovation of the Xcel Energy Center Arena Complex, including the Xcel Energy Center, the Saint Paul Rivercentre and the Roy Wilkins Auditorium. In the proposal, the city and Minnesota wilderness will provide half of the funding, and the state will contribute half of the funding.

The Xcel Energy Center opened in 2000 and now has a 25-year lifespan, while adjacent Saint Paul Rivercentre, 27, and Roy Wilkins, 93, require extensive upgrades to infrastructure and equipment. The renovation of the city-owned Xcel Energy Center Arena complex is estimated to be $769 million. The city asked the state to fund half of the cost, about $394.6 million, Minnesota wild owner Craig Leipold funded $215.8 million (30%) (30%), while City and Local Partners provided the remaining $158.8 million (20%). Ramsey County continues to explore its partner investment in the proposed Xcel Energy Arena Complece Frenovation.

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said the project is an important step in reimagining the downtown entertainment district of St. Paul.

“The renovated arena complex will bring new life to our city to attract more world-class activities and opportunities for economic growth,” Mayor Carter said in a prepared statement. “The project will create jobs, bring more people to the city and strengthen our position as a premier destination for living, working, recreating and doing business.”

Xcel Energy Center Arena Complex is the economic engine of Sao Paulo, with revenues of more than $383 million a year, attracting more than 2 million visitors. Last year, the complex hosted nearly 400 events, including the Minnesota Wild Games, the Minnesota Frost Inauguration Season, major concerts and performance tours, the Hmong New Year’s annual weekend, high school graduation, and Minnesota State University High School League Sports Competition.

The refurbished Xcel Energy Center Arena complex is expected to increase annual local spending by $110 million, create about 2,300 combined construction jobs, and upon completion, it will employ more than 5,000 employees in St. Paul.

“We are excited to create an iconic new district for the city center with the successful establishment of Xcel Energy Center Arena Complex,” said Leipold. “Sao Paulo’s revitalization is in a unique position across the country. It’s time to rewrite our future.”

The construction of multi-phase decoration projects can start as early as next year.

stpaul.gov/arena