Vikings Stadium Solution Down To The Wire

The Vikings Stadium debate has consumed the state of Minnesota for around a decade now. The 2011 state legislature has bills introduced in both branches that could finally rectify the situation and lock the Vikings up in Minnesota for decades to come. If we do this right they shouldnt need a new stadium in my lifetime. Yes they may need renovations in 30-40 years and upgrades as we go but the major issue will be solved once and for all.

The Vikings are the last remaining major team in Minnesota to have their facility situation addressed and resolved. There has been conflicting information coming from the legislature as to whether or not the issue will even get a hearing.

One big obstacle to the bill going to committee has been the absence of a committed local partner. That situation seems to be changing and is very fluid. Recently 3 sites existed for a potential new venue. First on the site of the current stadium (the #biginflatabletoilet). Second on the site of the Farmers Market in Minneapolis near Target Field which would create a stadium district, but would be more expensive. Then there is the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant in Arden Hills which was considered the least likely early on in the process.

In recent days a group of investors made a serious push for the Farmers Market site, however Hennepin County Commission Chair Mike Opat recently announced they were pulling out as an option for a local partner. This all but killed the chances for the Farmers Market site and left a big question mark for the current stadium site as well.

The Vikings and Ramsey County have been negotiating feverishly for the TCAAP site and according to County Commisioner Tony Bennett are nearing an agreement with transportation issues being the last major hurdle.

The wild card and unknown in all of this is a statement paraphrased on Twitter by KFAN which was made by Lester Bagley, the Vikings Stadium representative, that the team has been actively negotiating with 2 potential local partners and that a deal will be finalized soon. The question remains who is the 2nd local partner and which site is being pursued.

One thing is certain and that is time is running out on this legislative session, as there is only 17 days remaining, and potentially the Vikings future in Minnesota.

Vikings fans and any other Minnesotan that understands the benefit provided to our community by the team, the time is now and your assistance is needed in making this deal a reality. The dome is down, the lease is up, & there is 17 days remaining in the 2011 #mnleg session. We need to make this happen by contacting our legislators to get them behind this and get the bill approved so that Governor Mark Dayton can sign the long anticipated bill for the new home of MINNESOTA Vikings football and our favorite team.

Since the Metrodome opened, the state general fund has received over $320 million in revenue of which the Vikings are responsible for over $186 million with $0 out of the general fund. Ted Mondale the Governors point man for a new stadium released numbers from a study showing that a new venue would result in a profit of over $500 million to the state of Minnesota after all was said and done, again with $0 general fund dollars.

If the Vikings leave, the state of Minnesota stands to lose a lot of revenue and jobs at a time when both are at a premium. PLEASE visit the sites below to get on board the Vikings bandwagon and to contact your legislators to get this vital legislation into the hands of Gov. Dayton who has promised his signature:

www.savethevikes.org/huddle-up/

www.vikings.com/stadium/