Until the Arden Hills site emerged as a possible location for a new Vikings stadium, I was convinced lawmakers would approve funding for a facility during this legislative session. Now don’t bet your season tickets that will happen.
How come? Because a site fight is underway and that may delay legislative approval of a stadium.
The Vikings facility problem has been studied for years and it’s the opinion of facility experts that the most cost efficient place to locate a new multipurpose covered stadium to serve the ballclub and community is on the Metrodome site or the nearby Star Tribune property. At those locations there is a comprehensive transportation system and related infrastructure already in place.
The city of Arden Hills and Ramsey County Board have expressed interest in building a stadium on the former site of the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant. Along with Arden Hills, it seems three downtown Minneapolis sites including near Target Field could come up for discussion in the legislature. Don’t be surprised if key legislators decide to appoint a stadium group to study site and funding, and then announce findings in 2012.
With the Vikings lease at the Metrodome expiring at the end of this season, the NFL team and politicians are best advised to resolve the stadium matter now rather than later. Construction costs are likely to rise if stadium planners wait too long and the state economy can use a boost from a project that could cost $800 million and provide a lot of jobs. And there’s also the not so subtle threat that the Vikings might relocate to another city.
We have the makings of another emotional Minneapolis versus St. Paul site fight with parochial interests on both sides and politics, as always, involved. Eventually Minneapolis might win out as the site location but not without St. Paul benefitting also via a “Christmas tree” type of legislative bill filled with “goodies” beyond a stadium bill. St. Paul leaders would like to see their interest free state loan for the Xcel Energy Center forgiven, and state assistance for a downtown St. Paul Saints ballpark would be welcomed, too.