Several Minneapolis city council members have come out against a plan to spend $40 million on a police training center.
The proposal by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is on the table now, with a vote is scheduled for March 24.
Eighth Ward Councilmember Soren Stevenson says there are more important needs to help the community.
"George Floyd Square, when are we going to invest there? This new Nicollet project where the old Kmart used to be, we need to invest there, repairing bridges," Stevenson explained. "There are so many things, filling potholes, that our city needs to be doing with $40 million and this is simply not it."
The mayor and other supporters say the proposed police training center is needed because current facilities are outdated.
But ward 10 Councilmember Aisha Chugtai would rather see city funds spent on infrastructure issues.
"In my five years at City Hall, I have over and over again approached public works and city administration to talk about how we fix this block," she said. "And the number one piece of pushback I receive is, 'well, it's gonna cost a few million dollars, and that's not money we have right now.' As it turns out, we do."
The City Council vote on the proposal paving the way for a police training and wellness center would also need about $20 million in state bonded money before they break ground.
Some on the council say the money needs to be spent elsewhere to help the community
