Minnesota Vikings Stadium: Shakopee Enters The Mix
by Christopher Gates on Jan 11, 2012 10:30 AM CST
in Minnesota Vikings Stadium
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PrintBegun, the stadium wars have.
After weeks of hearing about Arden Hills, the Farmers' Market, the Basilica, and the Metrodome site, and with 24 hours left until Governor Dayton's deadline for stadium proposals to be submitted, now the good people of Shakopee have decided that they want to get in on this as well.
The City of Shakopee is proposing a site on a 130 acre lot that sits between Highway 101 and Highway 169. They say it's several times bigger than any of the proposed sites in Minneapolis with room for a 75,000 seat stadium and 22,000 tailgaters.
The City says the total cost would be $920 million which would be paid for with fan fees and a Racino.
130 acres would make it the second-largest proposed site thus far, behind only Arden Hills, and the price tag is around $200 million cheaper. Newly-appointed Senate Majority Leader Dave Senjem has long been a proponent of the racino option for stadium funding as well, so this might be a viable proposal.
I'm not 100% familiar with the Shakopee site. . .to be honest, the only thing from Shakopee I'm familiar with is Valleyfair. (Is Valleyfair still a thing, or has the Mall of America basically made it obsolete?) But if they can give the Vikings some space and kick in a decent part of the funding to go with the contribution that the Minnesota Vikings will be making to things, this dark horse might eventually find its way into the winner's circle.
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Hope
Out of nowhere comes a savior?
Don't you know who the *^$% I am?
by Jeppernaut on Jan 11, 2012 10:35 AM CST via mobile reply actions
Wow...
Proposed by the new mayor who has been in office a whole week? I’m fine with wherever they end up as long as it is still in MN, but talk about a last minute plan.
So what has Minneapolis been doing???
The mayor of Shakopee has been in office for a week and they have a viable plan in place for the stadium. Minneapolis has had 10 years and they can’t bring their ideas into one solidified plan.
Cocky Bastages
Minneapolis believes they have sufficient clout to do whatever they want, whenever they want. No need to rush into anything when you believe you have the power to dictate the ultimate outcome.
Not quite the 11th hour
but pretty much the 10.987th hour.
by Jepp The Viking on Jan 11, 2012 10:41 AM CST reply actions
now this is surprising
I kind of like the idea, considering the location (I live in DSM, so having it on the south side of town is fine with me)
not sure how viable it is, considering the Racino idea has been shot down at every turn, but i think this has now become my second favorite spot other than Arden Hills (tailgating good, traffic bad)
when asked by Dan Patrick if his name alluded to not making quick decisions in the pocket, Ponder calmly replied "As crazy as it sounds, my mom's maiden name is actually Superbowlwinner. All one word"
We might have the right people in place for the Racino to finally pass
If givin the option of public funding or Racino, I can not imagine why anyone would not chose the Racino option
I don't know why
This would be any more viable than Arden Hills. And it certainly lacks some of the appeal of Arden Hills for the Wilfs, although who knows, there is some open space in the surrounding area.
I suppose
“Not located on top of heavy metal (elements, not music) saturated pollution” is one bright spot.
Don’t know..just shooting stuff out.
by Jepp The Viking on Jan 11, 2012 11:01 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
yep
which would make this cheaper, maybe thats were the 200 mil less comes from. I wonder if they have more accommodating roads than arden hills as well(not familiar with the area)
I think this has become my fav spot already because it seems more likely than arden hills due to the similar price tag of the minneapolis plans and it has much more room than them as well.
Arden Hills
Is at the junction of 35W and US10.
I saw a map earlier today of the Shakopee location, but it’s a bit farther from the interstate. Absent some significant improvements, I think 169 would end up pretty congested on game days.
they already
come out to led zeppelin, what more do you want
when asked by Dan Patrick if his name alluded to not making quick decisions in the pocket, Ponder calmly replied "As crazy as it sounds, my mom's maiden name is actually Superbowlwinner. All one word"
I'd think it'd be s little less viable from an infrastructure standpoint
I guess MN101 and US169 are pretty major thoroughfares, but the Arden Hills site is adjacent to I-35W…granted it’s in the funky area where I-35W, US10, and county 10 all come together that’s a bit odd (where to stay on US 10, you get on I-35W NB for like 3/4 mile
I like arden hills because it’s about 4 miles from my sister in Mounds View. would be easy lodging for me….
I still say screw it, and build in Duluth…or maybe Hinkley, adjacent to Tobies….
by michiganpat on Jan 11, 2012 11:25 AM CST up reply actions
I'll take a stadium in duluth...
We have an old school site on the top of the hill that could use some development. It already has a practice field and a million dollar view…
http://maps.google.com/?ll=46.796277,-92.116724&spn=0.005883,0.008315&t=h&z=17&vpsrc=6
Although, it is considerably smaller at only 77 acres…
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/219456/
hardy har har.
Our mayor just announced a plan to try to increase our population, this is a pretty good way to do so…
That could improve the homefield advantage too
the Dome seems to be getting packed with other team’s fans
"You can write articles and do whatever you want, you can break down every player. Good, bad or ugly. But we just aren't good enough as a team, as a group. Offensively, defensively and special teams, from the No. 1 on the roster to the last man on the roster. We just aren't good enough. It's as simple as that." - Chad Greenway
by Grape Drank on Jan 11, 2012 12:41 PM CST up reply actions
I’ve not been going to the same stadium as you.
If we can't laugh at ourselves, Packer fans will call us crybabies and we will be forced to kick their tooth in. I really don't want to go to jail (again).
by Alittlemore_cowbell on Jan 11, 2012 12:53 PM CST up reply actions
Only for games against Green Bay and Chicago...
Which is normal, because plenty of them live in the TC metro area.
That's what I'm saying
You don’t see a lot of Viking fans at their stadiums, like we do when they play at the dome. And that is because Green Bay isn’t a major metro area, and neither is Duluth. I will admit however, something like that would need to be publicly owned, there is no way that a guy like Wilf would move his team to such a smaller city. Personally I am all for this but I know there is no chance of it happening.
"You can write articles and do whatever you want, you can break down every player. Good, bad or ugly. But we just aren't good enough as a team, as a group. Offensively, defensively and special teams, from the No. 1 on the roster to the last man on the roster. We just aren't good enough. It's as simple as that." - Chad Greenway
by Grape Drank on Jan 11, 2012 11:21 PM CST up reply actions
could make a helova nice spring training facility
just a thought. The Shakopee area (nor mpls sites) certainly don’t have the room for additional practice fields/facilities like Arden Hills does.
Vikings Valhalla .com
by Admiral BigGun on Jan 12, 2012 8:59 AM CST up reply actions
One of the casino plans should have been picked all along...
no state/local costs and all it does is add a casino? hell yes. but politicians are way too hypocritical about casinos.
“oh, no, we can’t take advantage of those that won’t be able to help themselves from gambling their money away. casinos are a terrible thing.”
“by the way, would you like to purchase a state lottery ticket?”
Don't forget the long arm
Of the American Indian Gaming group or whatever they are called.
by Jepp The Viking on Jan 11, 2012 11:02 AM CST up reply actions
?
not sure what you mean by this. my point is that i have absolutely no problem with casinos. people who gamble are going to gamble no matter if it’s in their city or 2 hours away. state and local governments are way too hypocritical with the “moral” case for it, which is complete BS. all the while selling poor people state-funded lottery tickets to pay for other causes. why can’t we let a casino do the same thing? buying lottery tickets and playing a slot machine are not different in any tangible way IMO. they prey on the same people and have the same benefits. and at least going to a casino is entertainment and you get free drinks. :)
The point
Is that the Indian gaming commission is the biggest lobby in the state and will fight to make sure they control gambling revenue.
Don't you know who the *^$% I am?
by Jeppernaut on Jan 11, 2012 11:51 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
What the Jepp's said
Racino or any other expansion of gambling takes some money out of the pockets of the tribes that currently have casinos.
gotcha...
is that that big of a deal though? a lot of those tribes are still going to be making a ton of money regardless.
You would think
But they don’t like it and are pretty influential, especially when compelled with those who think gambling is bad or comes with social costs that outweigh the benefits (I have no idea how that math works).
ya..
for the record, the entire gaming exception for native americans is ridiculous to me in the first place. what our ancestors did to their ancestors is an atrocity, no doubt, but how does allowing a gaming exception make that right? our ancestors did some horrific things to the ancestors of african americans too; does that mean we should just deposit $1M/yr in every african american bank account? or should the irish get some special exemption because of the misjustice they endured in the early 1800’s? i just don’t get it; where does it end?
hell yeah!
as my ancestors were Irish immigrants in this country I would LOVE to get a healthy dose of guilt money!
Hold on a sec, here’s my direct deposit info…. :D
(I am, of course, joking)
by Odin'sDrunkenSon on Jan 12, 2012 8:09 AM CST up reply actions
If I remember correctly
When someone first proposed the Racino option, people from Mystic Lake said they wouldn’t like it but wouldn’t stop it, because it would have a relatively negligible impact on their income.
For the record...
Valleyfair is certainly still a thing.
"If the scheme doesn’t fit your players, change your damn scheme."
by Vikingsfan17 on Jan 11, 2012 11:01 AM CST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Great idea!
I live in Shakopee near the lot I believe they are referring to and I believe this is a great location. Shakopee has been consistently growing in recent years and here are some of the reasons why I believe this is good choice:
1. Traffic. 101 and 169 give great access to get in and out of the area and during the times of the games, the majority of the traffic on the roads would be those going to and from the game.
2. Development. This is a win win for the Wilfs in my opinion. They get everything they want and any sort of business development they do should flourish in the area. Shakopee has a lot of the big name stores and restaurants, but they are spread out and not near the location of the stadium.
3. Other Entertainment. For those who come down for the weekend to go to a game, Valley Fair and Canterbury Park are very close and are great attractions.
This is my top choice if Arden Hills doesn’t make the cut.
But
I’ve seen pretty bad traffic on those roads just going to Canterbury Park or Mystic Lake on a weekday evenings. They’re gonna be pretty bad on game days, no?
Correct
The traffic won’t be perfect and when you bring 60,000+ people to one area for an event it never will be, but it shouldn’t be overly congested from other traffic. Mystic will create some, but that shouldn’t affect 101 very much and Canterbury doesn’t have any races during the NFL season from what I can remember.
Also, The main reason for weekday evening congestion is rush hour traffic
However, on Sundays there is nor rush hour traffic, it is not people going to or from those two places that makes traffic bad. It is that most of the people who live there work elsewhere and 169 is the only way back
Plus they are currently doing a ton of upgrades to the roads now
169 and 494 intersection is under construction now so that would help plus the 101 and hwy 13 intersection is being done now too. That will take care of the two biggest problems with rush hour trafic.
I own a business in Shakopee so I am a huge supporter of this idea!!!
"Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve."
George Bernard Shaw
"In those days the best painkiller was ice; it wasn't addictive and it was particularly effective if you poured some whiskey over it."
George Burns
Follow @justanothervike
by just another viking on Jan 11, 2012 4:15 PM CST up reply actions
Interesting, but I think it is a "long shot".
The Racino at Canterbury would be just a “long gallop” away.
I could see Canterbury, the new stadium and Shakopee offering a “daily double package” deals for fans on gamedays. Slots in the morning to pay for the stadium, Vikings game in the afternoon to make use of your lost $ from playing the slots. You never lose.
This may be “exacta” what we need.
Okay, I’ll stop now. Horse racing humor is a tough gig. Hard to evaluate the proposal as I have no details. The area in the proposal is adjacent to a huge industrial park that is mostly undeveloped. It may even be a part of the industrial park. My “bet” is this proposal won’t get out of the “starting gate” as a practical matter.
Your fantasy football expert since Jerry Rice's rookie year.
just how far is this proposed location from downtown Minneapolis?
"At this point, what we got to lose, right? So we might as well throw caution to the wind and hit people in the face."
--Vikings DE Jared Allen
wow thats kinda far
"At this point, what we got to lose, right? So we might as well throw caution to the wind and hit people in the face."
--Vikings DE Jared Allen
If you build it, they will come.
If we can't laugh at ourselves, Packer fans will call us crybabies and we will be forced to kick their tooth in. I really don't want to go to jail (again).
by Alittlemore_cowbell on Jan 11, 2012 11:32 AM CST up reply actions
It's still in the metro area
And no further away than the Jets/Giants stadium is from New York City, or the Cowboys Stadium is from Dallas.
http://sports-boards.net | Top notch sports discussion!
Perhaps.
But Jets/Giants stadium is a pain in the neck to get to from NYC. Having a stadium in NYC would be awesome for New Yorkers! … but a pain in the neck for people from Joisey.
"Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin
Also worth considering
Is that these are the Minnesota Vikings and not the Minneapolis Vikings. Unlike the Giants/Jets, at least our stadium is still within the state.
A more accurate comparison to them would be if we were to build a stadium in Hudson, but that’s an idea that’s so ridiculous it shouldn’t even be discussed beyond that comparison.
http://sports-boards.net | Top notch sports discussion!
True
As an out of stater, I’m just thinking that when I am able to go to Minny for a game, I would probably stay downtown.
"At this point, what we got to lose, right? So we might as well throw caution to the wind and hit people in the face."
--Vikings DE Jared Allen
why though
there are 100s of hotels in the suburbs that are cheaper and more accessible than any hotel downtown, and if you are going to say “well its because I go out and party downtown” then suck it up and commute the 25 minutes :)
But those are undesirable features
Of those stadiums
NP
That’s also the distance from Boston to Foxboro. The patriots don’t seem to have any attendance problems. But then rumor has it, they actually win games. So maybe that makes a difference.
I think in general the farther out the more it hurts...
but the Vikings have such a wide-ranging territory that the effect is probably mitigated.
True
To a certain degree. I used to work with a guy from Boston. He said it took 2-3 hours to get to the stadium and 3-4 hours to get home (yes, that’s an average of about 8-10mph). The infrastructure in that part of MA is horrible. Add in a little tailgating and the actual game, and you’re knocking on a 12 hour investment. So if the Vikes put a good product on the field, customers will patronize them despite the drive.
ya...
i just mean for all the out-of-state and out-of-town fans it’s not going to be a huge difference for them going to downtown minneapolis or shakopee. it will be even easier for some of them.
ideally stadiums belong in metro areas; that’s been proven over time i think; just because of the infrastructure and other entertainment, etc. but i think that effect is somewhat dampened just by the nature of MN’s fanbase geographically.
Many stadiums aren't even close to downtown
The Dallas Cowboys, for instance, is located in Arlington, and is at least a 30 minute drive from downtown Dallas, but more like 2 hours on gameday.
Arlington is the city that stepped up to the plate to help finance the stadium, not Dallas.
by liveforadrenaline on Jan 11, 2012 12:42 PM CST up reply actions
I like the idea
This stadium situation is beyond dramatic though, someone could turn this into a best seller book or something
"You can write articles and do whatever you want, you can break down every player. Good, bad or ugly. But we just aren't good enough as a team, as a group. Offensively, defensively and special teams, from the No. 1 on the roster to the last man on the roster. We just aren't good enough. It's as simple as that." - Chad Greenway
If this goes through...
Shakopee is going to make bank (do really, really well financially). Currently they have:
-Valley Fair Amusement Park
-Canterbury Park
-Minnesota Renaissance Festival
-Mystic Lake Casino and Little Six Casino
-At least 5 (five) golf course
-Chanhassen Dinner Theater (OK, maybe I’m the only one excited about that…)
Now add the new stadium to that, and with a city of only 37,076, I think they are doing pretty well. Looking forward to see where this leads, but wherever it does it better be in Minnesota. SKOL!
i have only been to the dinner theatre once
in high school, but had a blast, would definitely go back. along with the children’s theatre…but i don’t know where that one is
when asked by Dan Patrick if his name alluded to not making quick decisions in the pocket, Ponder calmly replied "As crazy as it sounds, my mom's maiden name is actually Superbowlwinner. All one word"
That sounds absolutely great!
Build up your weaknesses until they become your strong points." --Knute Rockne
Last time I was there
I got married …don’t need to go back there
skol
A successful coach needs a patient wife, loyal dog, and great quarterback - and not necessarily in that order.
-- Bud Grant
by PurpleValhalla on Jan 11, 2012 5:21 PM CST up reply actions
Is Raceway Park still open?
it’s in Shakopee, too…3/8 mile paved oval race track?
Mopars In The Park car show was there for many years, but outgrew the facility…
Did the theater move?
Is it no longer in Chanhassen? Either way, still worthy of excitement IMHO.
My bad
Read the online brochure, but didn’t look at the address. Chanhassen Dinner Theater is still in Chanhassen, but only 6.6 miles away from Shakopee. If the stadium is built there, I know where my after party will be. Aaaaaand… GEEK POINT!!
Relocation
As a fromer Seattle Supersonics fan, who is now an Oklahoma City Thunder fan, relocation has done well for me lately. :)
Might not be popular with you guys, but I say move the Vikings!
Honestly, I am kidding, because I feel for all of the hometown fans right now. I hope the Vikes stay in Minnesota for years and years to come.
I don’t know a lot about Minnesota honestly. I’ve been to International Falls and Bemiji. Both are terrible sites for Vikings football. That’s all I can add.
"Sorry about your damn luck." -- Cowboy James Storm
Kill the troll with fire.
Don’t ever suggest our beloved Purple should leave, even in jest.
by Jepp The Viking on Jan 11, 2012 1:58 PM CST via mobile up reply actions 2 recs
Pretty much
If we can't laugh at ourselves, Packer fans will call us crybabies and we will be forced to kick their tooth in. I really don't want to go to jail (again).
by Alittlemore_cowbell on Jan 11, 2012 2:59 PM CST up reply actions
I mean...I love the enthusiasm of the mayor...
But just suggesting “racino” as your only funding option doesn’t seem to be the best way to gain support. As viable and wonderful an idea it may be…
I'm still a Minnesotan at heart...
really
What does this offer that Arden HIlls doesn’t have?
Maybe they can develop political support that isn’t there for Arden Hills (the only think AH is missing), but outside of that I don’t see any improvement from switching to Shakopee.
And Minnesota River flood plain.
by Lars in SLP on Jan 11, 2012 7:53 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Seriously?
That is a MAJOR issue right there if that is true. (not doubting you)
Build up your weaknesses until they become your strong points." --Knute Rockne
Outstate Minnesotans.
That’s what Arden Hills has to offer more than any of the other sites. I’m 43, live in St. Cloud and grew up in western MN. Over the course of my life, I cannot tell you how many people I know from both Dakota’s, Winnipeg, nothern MN, etc., that I know of who consitently make the trip every home game, and it is about time to make the Vikes more accesible to the fans, and that is what Arden Hills does. With both easy access to 35, 694, Highway 10, and in a couple of years the completion of 610 to I94, how can all fans NOT win with this location? Years and years of being forced to deal with the cluster that is downtown Mpls, not knowing wether you are on a one way, do I turn right here to get to the interstate, sitting still for Lord knows how long could all be taken care of with this site.
by JimBob Skeeter on Jan 11, 2012 3:39 PM CST up reply actions
The question was about Shakopee
And what it offered that Arden Hills did not.
Location, location, location.
by Lars in SLP on Jan 11, 2012 7:55 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Why is Shakopee
Anymore desirable than Arden Hills? Arden Hills is massive, right of 35E and has more potential for development of the surrounding area.
When I was a kid I laughed whenever I heard 'Shakopee'
because my 8 year old buddies and me would pronounce it ‘Shack O Pee’, and I envisioned some guy walking out to a small little garage shed looking thing, opening the door, and pee spilling all over him. Yeah, my friends and I used to think that was funny.
What the hell, I still do.
"Go hard. I mean, like relentless. I want a bunch of coaches that coach like their hair’s on fire, and I want a football team that goes for four to six seconds (per play) with relentless effort." OSU Coach Urban Meyer.
That reminds me...
When i was a kid i mowed lawns and one Lady that we mowed for was named Francic (old lady) peshoek. I think the name is french but as kids we always called her Old Lady pee-shack. that soon became “Old Lady Outhouse”
Ok I now return you to your program already in progress….
"Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve."
George Bernard Shaw
"In those days the best painkiller was ice; it wasn't addictive and it was particularly effective if you poured some whiskey over it."
George Burns
Follow @justanothervike
by just another viking on Jan 11, 2012 4:26 PM CST up reply actions
Shakopee
Is the site they are looking to use the same one as they tried several years ago to build a Twins Stadium at as well? If so, it’s a workable site, not ideal, but has potential.
To paraphrase Patton........
Of all the many talks I had in St. Paul, none gave me such pleasure as that with you, my fellow Vikings fans. There were two reasons for this. In the first place, you are about my oldest friend since 1961. In the second place, your self-assurance and to me, to stay in Minnesota, demonstrated ability, give me a great feeling of confidence about the future. I have the utmost confidence that through our stadium efforts, remaining the Minnesota Vikings, with a renewed roster, sense of pride, new home and a fierce new attitude, we will eventually beat the hell out of those bastards known as the Packers here and in their own backyard! Who ever they shall be, where ever they shall play and who ever they shall call themselves, You name them; I’ll shoot them!
Gentlemen! You can't fight in here, this is a war room!
by VikesFaninNM on Jan 11, 2012 2:47 PM CST reply actions 3 recs
This is seriously starting
to sound like a bad soap opera…or good Twilight fan fiction.
Anyone else want to get in on this? How about International Falls? They lots of space.
Fargo, ND
We should still call them the Minnesota Vikings though
"You can write articles and do whatever you want, you can break down every player. Good, bad or ugly. But we just aren't good enough as a team, as a group. Offensively, defensively and special teams, from the No. 1 on the roster to the last man on the roster. We just aren't good enough. It's as simple as that." - Chad Greenway
by Grape Drank on Jan 11, 2012 11:33 PM CST up reply actions
Well to be fair
Both Fargo and Grand Forks really do wish they could be a part of Minnesota. But there’s that pesky river in the way!
Blown away
Wow – this is really interesting – if it’s true. I have to say from a selfish standpoint I’d like it since I live in EP and can see Shakopee from my house, but it seems pretty far fetched at this point. Who knows – maybe it’s been kept under wraps until now for some strange reason. There are worse plans.
I will miss the light rail :-(
I love taking the light rail to Twins and Vikings games. It saves me gas, parking, and hassle. I think any sight that is other than the Metrodome site will require me to pay more to drive to (gas), more to park at (park and rides are free), and more time spent in traffic. Driving all the way to Shakopee or Arden Hills will detour me from attending games given the increase in the aforementioned costs. For my vote I’d @ the dome site or near Target Field.
As to Shakopee specifically – I loathe 169.
The biggest problem with the idea is getting there from the metro
Shakopee is on the south side of the river and from the metro area there is only about 3 ways to get across. and if you are coming from the east metro area then you would take 35w south across the river and then have to get on surface streets (granted they are 4 lane) but they are still traffic controlled roads which will make the last 10 miles of the trip very slow.
Hwy 13/101 from 35w would have to be upgraded to handle all the traffic. But there is plenty of space to do it so that would not be that big of a deal but must be figured into the total package at some point.
"Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve."
George Bernard Shaw
"In those days the best painkiller was ice; it wasn't addictive and it was particularly effective if you poured some whiskey over it."
George Burns
Follow @justanothervike
by just another viking on Jan 11, 2012 4:34 PM CST reply actions
If anyone is interested
I posted a link in the fanshots section that shows a map of where they want to put the stadium.
Do the Vikings want a 75k seat stadium? I doubt it. Not selling that out every week would sabotage their TV revenue.
With no stadium blueprints, no cost analysis, etc., this isn’t a “plan” it’s another half-baked idea, again done by outsiders who have no knowledge of what the team needs or wants.
I would expect the 75K number to be the "expandable" figure.
In other words, the seating max for an event like the Super Bowl.
Give them credit
Their mayor came up with a plan after only being in office for 11 days, sure is a hell of a lot better than any other site. The reality is, all of these sites will be considered by the state. What ever site the state chooses is where the stadium will be, the Vikings really have no choice if they expect public funding.
It has some nice features. Close to other attractions like Valleyfair, raceway park and canterbury park. If you have been to VF you know how huge the parking lot is, I am sure that whoever owns that place would be more than happy to rent out that space (they aren’t open for most of football season) to tailgaters or just as additional parking. The racino would be almost next door, potentially this could make it a lot easier to pay off the new stadium depending on how many football fans go there after/before the game. They already have a large infrastructure to support something like this, the only thing that would need to be upgraded is the roads (that is a must, no way those 2 lanes can handle gameday traffic)
The team wants Arden Hills, but do they need it? Absolutely not, they will be happy to get any deal I would bet.
"You can write articles and do whatever you want, you can break down every player. Good, bad or ugly. But we just aren't good enough as a team, as a group. Offensively, defensively and special teams, from the No. 1 on the roster to the last man on the roster. We just aren't good enough. It's as simple as that." - Chad Greenway
by Grape Drank on Jan 12, 2012 11:59 AM CST up reply actions
Not much credit
It doesn’t take much to point at an open spot and say, “draw a stadium there.”
Also, I actually think those other things aren’t that appealing for a stadium location. It’s just another seasonal entertainment facility that would be grouped near other seasonal entertainment facilities. Much better to use public money on a stadium that will be part of a new year round development, as is the plan for Arden Hills.
There is no way the state is paying
Unless there will be year round use, no matter what site. Just because it is going to be by seasonal attractions doesn’t mean that the stadium will be seasonal. I like the Arden Hills idea but frankly I think it is a little too much to ask for, people will be very angry if it gets built there. Also that site still has a budget shortfall of $130 million that everyone has agreed will be needed to pay for road upgrades, where is that money going to come from? From the states prospective Arden Hills is the last possible site they would want, the rest are all more attractive. Since the public will be funding most of the stadium Wilf will just have to accept what they choose, unless he moves the team of course
"You can write articles and do whatever you want, you can break down every player. Good, bad or ugly. But we just aren't good enough as a team, as a group. Offensively, defensively and special teams, from the No. 1 on the roster to the last man on the roster. We just aren't good enough. It's as simple as that." - Chad Greenway
The stadium will be largely seasonal
The things that it will be used for that are non-Vikings are not going to draw many people (other than the occasional mega-concert or NCAA tourney).
Just look at how much is going around the dome when the Vikes aren’t playing (answer: almost nothing).
But that’s not my point. My point is that I would think fans would prefer places to eat and drink, and heck maybe even shop, adjacent to the stadium more than they would a closed amusement park, a closed horse track, and a closed race track.
The casino, though, could be nicely complementary, but not necessarily in a way the league likes.
TV revenue is the same
Regardless of whether they are blacked out locally, no?
I don't understand
why anyone from the metro area is complaining about driving to Shakopee or AH. Even though I live in south dakota I still drive to games and it’s only about 225 miles. Build a damn stadium in (pick a location) MINNESOTA so we keep our Vikes and if you have to drive 32 miles to the stadium don’t bitch about it.
Because people who live in the metro
Don’t associate 225 miles with the word “only.”
Ever since they proposed the Arden Hills site, I’ve been stating the southern metro area would be a better area. The areas I was recommending was Eagan, Burnsville, Bloomington, Eden Prairie or Shakopee. These areas have a better road system already in place for traffic in and out after games.(DOWNTOWN STINKS!) Also a better selection of motels, hotels, restaurants and entertainment, as in Water parks, Mall of America, Mystic Lake Casino, Canterbury Park and Valley Fair. Its closer to the Vikings Headquarters at Winter Park, closer to The Mankato spring training site and is in the area of the original Viking’s Met football stadium. It never “had to be” in Minneapolis. Minneapolis sees all the “benifits” of having the stadium in “Minneapolis”.
Also just recently they have proposed the site near the Basilica of St. Mary, a historic Catholic Church.
How is this proposed site any different timing than the now proposed Shokopee site? That just an excuse to eliminate the competition. Also look at the estimate cost. Less than any of the current sites. If we can still get the Vikings to invest the same as Arden Hills why not? They said they would invest “less” in the Minneapolis sites, and also they wouldn’t have the additional $67 million expenses relating to the Metrodome proposal. I also think without the “cleanup” that would be required at the Arden Hill site, this new proposal could have the new stadium up and running before any of the other sites, which would get the Vikings out of the Metrodome faster/or eliminate the headache of using the TCF Stadium, which I feel would cause lost revenue due to season ticket holders cancelling their renewals, and less seating, besides “NO BEER”!!!!(AT THIS TIME)
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