St. Paul set to evict Taste of Minnesota from Harriet Island
St. Paul city officials say they will kick the annual Taste of Minnesota event off of Harriet Island if organizers fail to pay thousands of dollars owed for this year's festival.
Taste of Minnesota owes more than $23,000 in permit fees, rental costs and staffing for the Fourth of July weekend festival. Taste also owes about $87,000 to the St. Paul Police Department.
The deadline for payment was September 2nd. The city then extended that deadline to Monday, warning that their agreement would be terminated if the city was not paid in full. Taste of Minnesota officials Monday asked for 30 more days.
Saint Paul Parks and Recreation spokesman Brad Meyer says if the city is not paid, it will consider new proposals for the island.
"We are committed to having an event at Harriet Island over the Fourth of July, and if we can't come to a resolution that is acceptable to all parties that we would pursue alternatives, which would certainly lead to an RFP and some other event taking shape next year," says Meyer.
City officials wouldn't say whether they will grant Taste of Minnesota more time.
Andy Faris of International Event Management, which runs Taste of Taste of Minnesota, declined to comment until the city responds to his request.
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