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Category: Vikings

Plan Calls for New Agency to Oversee Entertainment

Posted on November 9, 2011November 27, 2011 by David Shama

The Lambrecht vision for the Metrodome area is to see the facility torn down and replaced not only by commercial and residential development, but also by greenspace development. Lambrecht’s ideas for the area he calls Downtown East include a new medical facility by the University of Minnesota that would work with the existing Hennepin County Medical Center.

In their letter to the governor, Lambrecht and his colleagues reference the lack of forethought and cohesive planning in addressing metropolitan area stadium issues for more than a half century. They have taken inspiration from the Metropolitan Airports Commission, an agency formed in the 1940s to promote not only air travel but to minimize cost and duplication by the area’s multiple airports.

The Metropolitan Entertainment Commission is Lambrecht’s answer to better sports and entertainment planning, starting with the Vikings stadium project. The letter to the governor makes this pitch: “It is time to get the house in order. Between now and the regularly-scheduled legislative session it would be possible to convene a group of qualified and engaged citizens to form the MEC. They could consider governance, operations and financing options. Additionally this group could act as an arbiter for site selection.”

Lambrecht believes with planning from the MEC a $1 billion stadium might be built on the Farmers Market site without using new public taxes or gambling revenues. A varied combination of private and public funds ─ including from the Vikings, corporate community, existing entertainment taxes, and sale of the Metrodome land ─ might satisfy the financing needs.

Critics will have their doubts about parts or all of Lambrecht’s dreams regarding a Corridor-Farmers Market-MEC solution, but no one can deny he was right about the shabby Rapid Park site that became Target Field, a nationally acclaimed urban ballpark sitting on a tight parcel of land surrounded by 21st century transportation and a variety of big city entertainment options.

The man has vision.

More at www.corridormn.com

Comments Welcome

Financing Plan Still Needed for Facility

Posted on November 7, 2011December 27, 2011 by David Shama

Smith suggested the possibility of a financial package that will both renovate the arena and build a new practice facility. How to finance it? Smith’s ideas include perhaps a combination of large gifts from donors and use of basketball game day parking revenues that are now retained by the University and not the athletic department.

The Gophers coach knows winning will help make the facility a reality. He acknowledged a Big Ten championship would make a difference, but the Gophers are coming off a 17-14 season. It was the first time in 18 years of coaching that a Smith team didn’t play in a post-season tournament.

Two of Smith’s first three teams made the NCAA tournament, with the other participating in the NIT. He wants to compete for championships and had hoped his program would be further along after four years. But he’s upbeat about the coming season that starts with a regular season game against Bucknell on Friday night after the Gophers conclude their exhibition schedule versus Augustana at home tonight.

This is also a newsworthy week for recruiting since college basketball teams can sign prep players to national letters of intent starting on Wednesday and continue through November 16. “We’ll sign two, maybe three (players),” Smith said. “We’re excited about the guys. …”

Coaches can’t talk about specific recruits now but it’s known the Gophers have a commitment from Rice Lake, Wisconsin shooting guard Wally Ellenson. Another player who might end up being a Gopher is Charles Buggs, a power forward from Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia.

Comments Welcome

Worth Noting

Posted on November 4, 2011November 27, 2011 by David Shama

Among teams generating attention this week in the high school football playoffs is Wayzata.  The Trojans, who play Osseo at home tonight in a Class 5A semifinals section playoff game, started the season having to replace 10 starters on offense, but have “surprised” coach Brad Anderson with an undefeated record, 9-0.

Among the wins was a 9-0 victory over Eden Prairie, the only loss of the year for the Eagles.  Fans can’t help anticipating a possible Prep Bowl rematch later in the month. Anderson said “we gave them some wrinkles” last time but he expects Eden Prairie coach Mike Grant to make adjustments if the teams play again.

Even if Wayzata wins tonight by containing what Anderson describes as an “explosive” Osseo offense, the coach probably won’t be ready to say this is his best team.  The 2008 state champion Trojans averaged almost 48 points per game.  “This team is not as talented but you judge a team by what they have accomplished,” he said.

Ron Stolski, the all-time Minnesota high school leader in coaching wins with 337, has Brainerd back in the playoffs.  The Warriors, 7-3, play Moorhead, 5-5, tomorrow in St. Cloud.  Stolski has five sophomore starters.

The 2-6 Vikings, with a bye this week, have lost five of their six games by seven points or less.  The only one-sided loss was 39-10 to Chicago.

Adrian Peterson has only caught 16 passes in eight games, probably not enough receptions to maximize the team’s offense, although the defense dictates play selection.  With eight more regular season games remaining, Peterson is first in NFL rushing with 798 yards.  If he finishes with 1,600 yards it will be the second best total of his five-year NFL career.

Wide receiver Percy Harvin leads the Vikings in pass receptions (31) and receiving yards (334).  Among running backs with 10 or more carries, he’s averaging a team best 9.4 yards per carry.

Included in the players who have made a favorable impression of late on Gophers coach Jerry Kill is wide receiver Devin Crawford–Tufts, a true freshman from Edina.  Tufts has caught six passes for 132 yards, averaging 26.4 yards per reception.  Kill has noted the 18-year-old’s willingness to learn.

“Well, he’s been a young man that has come in and ─ I mean, he’s done a heck of a job,” Kill said.  “I mean, it’s like anything when he came in and he was like a baby deer, just learning how to do things. …”

Injured Gophers who won’t play in tomorrow’s game at Michigan State: Brendan Beal, Josh Campion, Jimmy Gjere, Eric Jacques, Marcus Jones and Troy Stoudermire.

An ESPN2 segment on Gophers football legend Bruce Smith is scheduled to air on Sunday about 9 a.m. Minneapolis time.  The segment will be part of the “Outside the Lines” program.

Dick Jonckowski, starting his 26th season as the Gophers basketball public address announcer, recalled it was 25 years ago this month that he emceed an event honoring cowboy film star Roy Rogers.  The event at the Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club celebrated Rogers’ 75th birthday.  When Rogers’ signature song “Happy Trails” was played, he started crying, Jonckowski said.

FSN has coverage of the Gophers-North Dakota hockey game tonight while the Big Ten Network televises tomorrow evening.  The Gophers are off to a 4-0 WCHA start in part because of the goal scoring of freshman Kyle Rau.  He and sophomore Erik Haula lead the team in goals with seven each.

The Twins will hold their seventh annual Diamond Awards Dinner on Thursday, January 26 at Target Field.

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