A number of major developments concerning the Vikings efforts to secure a Minnesota stadium that is at least partially funded by the public surfaced on Tuesday. This is a result of a Senate committee hearing geared towards stadium funding solutions.
Here are the nuts and bolts of each, with a link to more details if you are interested:
- Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said that his City was willing to put $300 million on the table for a plan that would build a new stadium on the current site of the Metrodome, have a nearby armory as a “fan experience” location, and call for improvements to 4th and 5th streets. Rybak said the money would come from a series of local taxes that are currently paying for the convention center housed in Minneapolis. This, of course, means that the money would not be immediately available and that the Vikings would have to play temporarily at TCF Bank Stadium for two or three seasons. Click here for more.
- Ramsey County finance director Lee Mehrkens continued to tout the Vikings preferred plan of building their new home at Arden Hills. Ramsey County feels that Minneapolis is getting preferred treatment from the Senate and that Ramsey County is being unfairly brushed to the side. They felt like they were treated rudely during Tuesday’s hearing. Click here for more.