May 9, 2011 was a potentially historic day for Minnesota and the Vikings as it appears they will be linked for at least another 30 years. The Vikings held a press conference along with Ramsey County to announce a partnership with the goal of a final stadium solution. This appears to be the last hurdle required to obtain legislative approval as bills have been submitted in both houses and a site has been selected in Arden Hills at the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP).
The agreement proposes an $884 million stadium be built at the former TCAAP with a total cost of $1.057 billion after infrastructure and environmental cleanup costs of $173 million are added. It calls for the Vikings to be responsible for $407 million, which is 44% of the stadium cost or 39% of the total cost. Ramsey County would be responsible for $350 million, or 33% of the total cost through a .5% county wide sales tax. The State of Minnesota would then be responsible for $300 million or 28% collected through user fees, lottery scratch offs, and tax on direct satellite services.
Any cost overruns and/or improvements would be the responsibility of the Vikings as well as 90% of the overall operating costs of the new venue which would be state owned. They would also be required to sign a 30 year ironclad lease to play in the new venue & remain in Minnesota. The venue is expected be ready for use in 2015.
As it stands the facility would have a retractable roof, making it a multi-use facility, with 65K seats for football which would be expandable to 72K for a Super Bowl. There would also be 21K parking spaces included with the facility, meaning the return of tailgating to Vikings football games. It will truly become a gameday experience unlike what we have seen the last 30 years.
The last remaining hurdle for a stadium solution becoming a reality is legislative approval, as Governor Dayton has already said he will sign a stadium bill. The current 2011 legislative session only has 13 days remaining as of 5/9/11. A lot of negotiating has been going on at the capitol in anticipation of the Vikings reaching a deal with a local partner and selecting a site. Now that this has been completed look for things to heat up beginning 5/10/11 through the end of the session and if necessary a special session.
Vikings fans there has never been a more important time than now to contact your legislators to encourage their support of this vital legislation to ensure the Vikings remain in Minny, where they belong, for the forseeable future. PLEASE visit: www.savethevikes.org/huddle-up/ (click act now)
VOYAGEUR COUNTRY-RED ZONE: Fans perspective and analysis of the Minnesota Vikings, other favorite NFL teams on occassion including Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans, Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders. Additional opinions on traditional rivals the Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Bears as well as other hated teams the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers.
