Minnesota Statutes Transportation (Ch. 160-174A) § 160.281. Tourist information center in South Dakota

Subdivision 1. Authority to acquire site. The commissioner of transportation is authorized to enter into an agreement with appropriate officials of the federal government and the state of South Dakota, to acquire by gift or purchase for trunk highway uses and purposes such land in the state of South Dakota as the commissioner may deem necessary for use as a site for and to construct and operate thereon a combination rest area and tourist information center, which center shall be located not more than one mile west of the Minnesota-South Dakota state lines, along the eastbound lane of Interstate 90.

Subd. 2. Operation and maintenance of center. The personnel who shall operate the center authorized by subdivision 1, shall be employees of the state of Minnesota. However, the commissioner of transportation may enter into an agreement with the appropriate officials of the state of South Dakota, under which the maintenance to be provided to the center itself and the site in toto may be provided by persons not employees of the state of Minnesota, which persons may be employees of the state of South Dakota. The agreement may provide for reasonable compensation.

Subd. 3. Payment of taxes and assessments. The commissioner may, in connection with the construction, maintenance, operation, and use of the center, pay any and all taxes or special assessments, if any, that may be assessed against said property by the state of South Dakota or its political subdivisions or taxing districts. Provided, however, that nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to authorize the commissioner to pay any tax or special assessment which would not be required to be paid by the state of South Dakota for similarly held and used property.

Subd. 4. Costs paid out of trunk highway fund. The cost of the land acquisition, the construction, operation, and maintenance costs as agreed, of the center provided for herein shall be paid out of the trunk highway fund.