Minnesota Vikings Stadium: Yeah, It's Going To End Up In Minneapolis
by Christopher Gates on Jan 12, 2012 12:45 PM CST
in Minnesota Vikings Stadium
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PrintLike we ever should have had any doubt that the Minneapolis Mafia was going to end up getting their way with this whole thing.
From reading Tom Pelissero's Twitter account this morning, it looks like there isn't a snowball's chance in Cuba of the new Minnesota Vikings' stadium going up anywhere outside of the Minneapolis area.
@TomPelissero
Tom Pelissero From what I hear, Ramsey County and Shakopee stadium proposals both will be dead on arrival. Look for #Vikings to push Basilica site hard.
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This basically means that things aren't going to change a whole lot with a new stadium. The parking is going to continue to suck, the tailgating will continue to basically be non-existent, and the city of Minneapolis will continue playing the role of The Sisters while the Vikings will play the role of Andy Dufresne during his first two years at Shawshank.
Unless I'm totally missing something about one of these sites. But I don't think I am.
The folks at KFAN have put together a stadium proposal guide that they will continue to update as the proposals roll in.
The deadline for proposals is 5 PM Central time this afternoon, which is a little more than four hours away from the time I'm typing this up. We'll have to see what happens over the next few hours and (hopefully) get a better idea of what's going on with the whole situation.
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We're going to see 3 years
of playing at TCF Bank Stadium. While the crowd will we supporting the Vikes this practically, imo, nullifies any type of home field advantage and rebuilding this team is going to be that much harder. Might as well root for the Basilica site at this point. Are there decent tailgating options there?
Build up your weaknesses until they become your strong points." --Knute Rockne
It’s almost as big as the Arden Hills site.
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 12, 2012 1:02 PM CST up reply actions
No...
The basillica site is 1/3 (if that) of the size of the AH site. Shakopee is only about 1/2. Any site in downtown will have terrible parking and little to no tailgating.
I was think of Shakopee
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 12, 2012 1:39 PM CST up reply actions
**Thinking
I’ve never been out of Minneapolis (I live in Florida), but from what I’ve hears, the site is pretty giant.
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 12, 2012 1:41 PM CST up reply actions
I don't think you'll see the new stadium end up on the Dome site.
The only person who seems to want it there is the Mayor. The Minneapolis business community wants it at the Basilica or Farmers Market locations. That’s why the big 2025 plan (or whatever it was called) that was released right after the mayor put his words behind the Dome site doesn’t support that idea.
This is insane.
261 Daily Norseman readers and counting say I am a genius... the masses have spoke!
...and those who voted 'moron' were secretly Packer trolls.
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Completely asinine
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 12, 2012 1:43 PM CST up reply actions
Damn
that Tom is typically right when he speaks up about something, that’s too bad was looking forward to a site not in Minneapolis (I hate driving there and parking so far away not to mention trying to get back home)
"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
Parking so far away?
Take the Shakopee site (only because I looked at it yesterday). It envisions a stadium on 130 acres surrounded by surface parking lots.
A city block is about 5 acres. So the Shakopee site is about 26 square blocks. If you’re even half way out in the parking lots you’re several city blocks away.
The walk seems a lot shorter
when you are surrounded by tailgating Vikings fans and mostly parked cars for the walk, as opposed to tall buildings and bums, and having to cross city streets at stoplights.
by Are we cursed? on Jan 12, 2012 1:52 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
"Seems" is all that matters
Walking around downtown is a pain. There is traffic (even on Sundays) of people don’t give a darn that people are walking to a football game and all sorts of questionable characters who you have to look out for.
by Are we cursed? on Jan 12, 2012 2:09 PM CST up reply actions
Whatever
So I guess it’s not far away you care about, but rather that your surrounding aren’t pastoral enough for you. Great.
Well, I know I don't have a say in the process.
But which setting would you prefer?
When push comes to shove, I just want the Vikes to stay in Minny, BTW.
by Are we cursed? on Jan 12, 2012 3:03 PM CST up reply actions
Walking downtown is a pain in the ass on gamedays.
Just because you are used to crap all your life does not mean others have to accept it. And we don’t. I had season tickets at both Met stadium and the Metrodome. I let them lapse after the ’94 season. I will NOT re-up season tickets in the future if the Vikes remain downtown. (and now I can actually afford them)
Why?:
1. I can’t find decent place to tailgate unless I get downtown at sunrise.
2. I can’t find a decent place to park unless I get there by 9:30 for a noon game.
3. Traffic before and after the game is not worth the hassle. It leaves the fan with a bad experience, a sense of wasted time, and quite often a headache. And vowing only once a year. Okay, maybe that’s me. But I don’t think I am alone.
4. Walking to and from the stadium is a series of stoplights, traffic. buses, freakin’ useless trains, traffic cops and too skinny of walking areas.
5. Like it or not, panhandlers, hustlers, drunks and others are not wanted by fans as part of their gameday experience. The $ one shells out for parking and tickets, one wants to enjoy the experience, not fight for it. Were these at the old Met? Yes. But no where near as intrusive as today.They were the exception then, not the norm.
And this is just some of the issues with getting to and from the stadium gates. Other issues inside the stadium are not as closely related to the location as these issues.
Do I want the new stadium in downtown? Hell no. Will I accept it over a stadium in L.A.? Reluctantly yes. But why do Minnesotans always want to do things half ass and be obsoleted in 5 years? Because our politicians are short sighted and in this case, over run by Minneapolis interests. It is a crying shame.
Your fantasy football expert since Jerry Rice's rookie year.
by Odin on Jan 12, 2012 3:26 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Thoughts:
1) Yea, no way around it. Downtown means not very much tailgating. If tailgating is your primary desire you won’t be happy downtown.
2) The number of close by parking spots available go way up on the west side of downtown.
3) Traffic is a problem regardless of where you build. I will grant you that if you have massive tailgate lots you can at least tailgate after the game until things let up a bit, but otherwise it’s just a question of where you are stuck in traffic. Plus, a west side downtown stadium will have access to all the transit options that appeal to folks who hate traffic.
4) This is just a general rant against downtown. Not saying you’re “wrong”. It’s your opinion. Plenty of folks don’t and won’t find this to be an issue.
5) See #4.
Will I accept it over a stadium in L.A.? Reluctantly yes.
Now you’re getting asinine. RELUCTANTLY? You’ll reluctantly support the Vikings staying in Minnesota? Jeebus…
Building it downtown doesn’t mean the stadium will be half assed or quickly obsolete. They could build a half-assed stadium surrounded by tailgating too. The location does not mean the stadium itself will suck.
Only folks who prioritize tailgating above all else are likely to find themselves disappointed/pissed if they take the time to do the stadium right. Something tells me most Vikings fans aren’t so single minded. Many, many folks will be disappointed that they can’t have acres of lots to grill in. But they also won’t stomp their feet and say silly things like they reluctantly support a plan that keeps the Vikings in Minnesota.
by GoAUpher on Jan 12, 2012 3:47 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
It's a lot more than that, if the site isn't right...
Many of the experiences I’ve had getting to and from games is a pain…
I’ve sometimes had to walk through over a foot of mud to get to the stadium (cough Candlestick) for 49’ers vs. Vikings games, through what could be described as one large outdoor urinal (Comiskey/White Sox before U.S. Cellular Park), in ginormous traffic jams (the Kingdome), and walk three miles in 110 degree weather at Arizona when the 14,000 car lot was full (we only got there 2 hours before the game).
by liveforadrenaline on Jan 12, 2012 3:59 PM CST up reply actions
I get your hesitation.
I do. And I agree that if done wrong it could be a cluster. But the location alone does not determine whether things get done right or wrong.
The thing to keep in mind is that if the stadium is not in Arden Hills the Vikings HAVE to make sure the stadium gets done right if they are going to maximize their profits.
NOTE: I am NOT suggesting that having additional revenue streams (like parking) guaranteed to them would result in a half-assed stadium in AH. I’m simply saying that the lack of those streams means the organization and the ownership will have even more reason to make sure things get done right downtown.
have you been to other stadiums?
Because the worst experience I’ve had getting to and from a stadium is Washington — well, actually Landover, MD — where the built the stadium out in what was at the time a fairly undeveloped suburban space.
It’s terrible to drive to, parking is insanely expensive (at least double dowtown Mpls), it’s difficult to get to without driving and once you’re there, you better be ready to tailgate because there isn’t anything else to do.
I know it’s hard for people to live in the suburbs to think about how maybe having access to transit and entertainment and food options that aren’t car-based, but there are fans who have preferences that differ from yours.
by amiller92 on Jan 12, 2012 4:07 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
And there are fans who's preferences that differ from yours.
I have been to both the Landover stadium and the old RFK Stadium. The Landover experience was head and shoulders above he RFK experience. Sorry for your bad experience.
Your fantasy football expert since Jerry Rice's rookie year.
well, duh
You just said stated some.
I’m curious about your Landover vs. RFK experience. What made you prefer Landover?
As I said, I didn’t like Landover because it’s hard to get to. RFK, on the other hand, was really easy to get to either by metro or through parking lots that are connected direction to the Southeast Freeway/395. Granted I was only there for baseball, so the crowds were smaller, but it was the easiest drive in and out that I’ve had to a sporting venue.
By the time the Nats were playing there, RFK left a lot to be desired for in-stadium amenities, but I wasn’t impressed at Fedex, which I thought was cold and pretty stripped down.
My friend did most of the navigating. He's a Arlington, Va, lad.
When we went to RFK (1983 against the Vikings, we lost in a shootout) we parked behind the Capitol a ways. We parked on the street. It was a long walk through a bad neighborhood. That didn’t bother me. Until after the game when my friend wanted to get the hell out of there before the sun went down. (Note: I got down on the field after the game. My friend was in a group trying to bring baseball back to DC. We had to collect their banner that was hanging on the wall against the field level seats. Fun)
The Landover (2006?against the Giants) game was just a relaxing nice day. No problems before the game. Traffic was a little slow after. But no street parking or anxiety.
And that’s my Redskin game experiences in a nutshell.
Your fantasy football expert since Jerry Rice's rookie year.
That is a long walk through a bad neighborhood
It’s a little better now, but 1983 probably was probably pretty bad.
I didn't know it at the time
but I guess it was the worst. He liked to park there because you get closer to the stadium. Duh.
I guess it was an unwritten rule that fans had a one hour grace period after the game. LOL. Much like old Comiskey Park in Chicago.
Your fantasy football expert since Jerry Rice's rookie year.
Maybe not worst
I don’t know for sure about 1983, which was before my time there, but in general the worst is just across the Anacostia River from there. But it wasn’t good.
I tend to think of RFK, though, as a model for how parking should be tied into the freeway system. As I mentioned, you can go right from 395 onto an access road that feeds into the large lots between the stadium and the river, and of course back out the other way.
If we’re building in Arden Hills, that’s the way it should work for getting to and from 35 and HWY 10, and I was surprised that the Shakopee drawings instead had the lots emptying onto the area surface roads. That really could be worse then getting in and out of downtown, because all of the traffic is going to a single outlet.
You have been whining about the surface road problem with the Shakopee proposal as your main sticking point with that. What makes you think that they wouldn’t do road improvements on the ~10 block stretch that would provide simple access to either 169 or 101? IMO having only 1 or 2 routes out of parking IMPROVES the situation over the downtown issue of everyone going every which way which just ties up intersections and is an absolute nightmare to get out of. (As long as they setup those 1 or 2 routes properly which I would hope that they would)
Maybe they will
I didn’t say they won’t. I said I was surprised by the drawings.
Although part of me wants it built that way so I can hear all the downtown hating bitch about how long it takes to get home (ala foxboro, allegedly).
I'm also not...
…ignoring the fact that a stadium in AH wouldn’t be easier to “get right” given the unlimited footprint. I’m just pointing out that any predicting gloom and doom based solely on location isn’t being realistic.
Actually
I was looking at these today, when I was trying to find the full text of the AH proposal, and they are really discouraging to me.
Aside from the fact that they don’t really show the stadium or the game-day facilities, they vision is for a sparsely used open space with some soccer and football fields. I sure hope they have more in mind than NSC part 2.
Where’s the entertainment facilities? Where’s the shopping? Where’s the stuff that’s going to make people want to come here when the Vikes aren’t playing.
Response:
2. I park on the west side. They fill up too.
3. Traffic is a problem anywhere the stadium is built. I accept that. It is just way worse downtown because of the constrictions of being a downtown.
4. When I parked at the Old Met there were no streets, to cross, no stoplight to wait for, no trains to dodge. The parking attendants got everyone parked in an orderly, efficient matter. Tailgaters one area, just parkers another area. When an area filled up, the next available opened up. No haphazard, traffic snarling ordeal like downtown stadiums. These are not opinions.
5. My reluctance is because we can do so much better.
Building downtown means you limit your stadium footprint which means limiting your options. A modern, competitive stadium means wider concourses, more restrooms, separate levels for suites, clubhouses, dining rooms, bars, food concourses, small entertainment venues, modern locker rooms, technology considerations. This all takes space. Limiting yourself because of space in downtown is putting yourself behind before you even start.
Your fantasy football expert since Jerry Rice's rookie year.
Further thoughts.
2. They do. And things will likely be ugly at first until people start to figure out just how many ramps there are in downtown. That said, I do understand the desire for a more Point A to Point B solution like the one offered by wide open spaces and big lots.
3. Fair enough. Personally I don’t find it to be worse but I also don’t find city driving to be a problem.
4. See the end of #2. I get the appeal and enjoy it for similar reasons. But for many folks downtown driving is not considered haphazard. It’s all opinion. Also, keep in mind the addition of the transit options which were proven to be a huge hit with TF.
5. That’s just straight opinion. Your better is based on some preconditions. Nothing wrong with that. Just saying it’s not some objective fact.
Building downtown means you limit your stadium footprint which means limiting your options. A modern, competitive stadium means wider concourses, more restrooms, separate levels for suites, clubhouses, dining rooms, bars, food concourses, small entertainment venues, modern locker rooms, technology considerations. This all takes space. Limiting yourself because of space in downtown is putting yourself behind before you even start.
You do limit the stadium footprint when you compare a finite space to what is essentially an unlimited one (in terms of stadium size that is). This does not mean that you are unable to have the wider concourses, more restrooms, separate levels, etc. It will take more effort to get right, but it is not even close to an impossible task.
The reason I’m not upset by a downtown location is greatly influenced by the fact that I never thought Arden Hills would happen in the first place. The political factors made it unlikely. So I never got too attached to it’s charms. Also, I prefer an urban setting so the things that bug you about the city don’t bug me. =)
That's really the thing
It seems to come down to liking AH because of some combination of (1) wanting to tailgate, (2) thinking you’ll be able to park closer (which is actually questionable), (3) thinking that getting in and out of the lots will be easier/faster (possible, but actually depends on design of infrastructure), and (4) just not liking the city.
What bugs me is when people do their best to avoid saying (4) when it’s really what they mean.
Please tell me what I really mean?
I think I know what you think and you would be WRONG! But I will not assume what you think I think is what you really think.
Either way, you have no basis to know what I think except for what I wrote here. Your innuendo is offensive.
Your fantasy football expert since Jerry Rice's rookie year.
FWIW...
When you start talking about panhandlers, drunks, traffic cops, hustlers, too skinny walking areas, traffic lights, buses and useless trains as reasons to avoid a downtown stadium people might make the not at all large leap that you aren’t a fan of downtown/the city. =)
BTW, how is what amiller said innuendo?
I visit downtown
2-3 times a week. Usually for lunch. More often in the summer when the food trucks are out. But some of the deli’s are worth the trip. Downtown as a whole is nice. As a football venue it sucks. It is just not worth the hassle. My opinion.
Your fantasy football expert since Jerry Rice's rookie year.
I get this to a point.
But at the same time, wha? So all the things that bug you only bug you when there are extra people there for a game?
That's sounds about right.
The downtown is not designed for an influx of 65,000 to 75,000 people all at once. Too much stuff in the way that was designed for another purpose. That purpose being conducting business and government functions. For that purpose it does an adequate job.
Your fantasy football expert since Jerry Rice's rookie year.
Huh?
That’s way fewer than a typical week day.
Oh c'mon...
…you’re smart enough to know what he’s saying. =) The downtown area won’t have that many people on the streets all at one time on a regular day the way it will immediately before or (more importantly) after a Vikings game.
And during the week
they do not converge on one building.
Your fantasy football expert since Jerry Rice's rookie year.
Inuendo?
You made very clear that you do not like cities and that’s a big part of why you do not want a downtown stadium. That’s fine and a appreciate your candor. I disagree, and I like cities, but at least I know where you are coming from.
Others, however, seem to try to avoid saying that they don’t like the city and instead say vague things about “space” or “other benefits” or make seem to make questionable assumptions (like “parking will be cheaper”).
My guess is parking will not be cheaper for most.
But it will finally be worth the price. LOL!
Your fantasy football expert since Jerry Rice's rookie year.
Oh, my guess
is that it will be a lot more expensive, actually. I would guess it starts at $35 and goes up from there, but I’m just guess about the numbers.
"Seems" doesn't matter at all to the folks making the decisions.
Does that suck if you’re looking for a tailgate mecca? Yep. Will that change the outcome of this process? Nope.
Well, I'm not sure how much the Vikes are being "sistered"
If they aren’t exercising their option to leave, but I’m surprised the team would prefer the Linden Ave site. It’s looks like the smallest and least flexible of the options to me.
If the Minneapolis site
turns out to be where the Metrodome currently resides, I think the Vikes bolt. The basilica site seems to be the compromise site—no one really likes it the best, but both sides could live with it.
I know virtually nothing about that site—will it be big enough to allow tailgating, etc? And how big is the footprint in comparison to Arden Hills?
"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.
Here's the thing
The governor isn’t going to pick anything, and the legislature isn’t going to pass anything, without the Vikings saying that it’s acceptable and they won’t bolt.
As I said yesterday, I heard someone on the radio from the Vikes the other day (didn’t hear who as I just caught a quick bit of it) saying that they could make either Linden Ave (Basilica) or Metrodome sites work.
Here’s my very basic rendering of the Basilica site.
No downtown location...
…is going to allow for much (if any) tailgating. Not when the Vikes (per their letter about the Dome site) will clearly be looking to take care of the VIP suite holders first. Well, probably not anyway, but definitely less likely after the letter makes clear the organizations intentions.
Football Stadiums don't belong in cramped urban areas
They belong in large open fields, like amusement parks, with giant parking lots. Tailgating, even if there is space for it, isn’t as fun in a cold, distracting downtown area. This is just business interests getting their way with little regard for the gameday experience.
It's not just the business interests.
Some (not all) legislators also care about the fact that a downtown location can benefit from infrastructure investments that are already paid for or that are already planned for/in the works. Paying more money for new infrastructure, especially for a site that primarily benefits the Vikings, isn’t going to excite many legislators who want the best bang for their buck.
Any site in MN is better than the Vikes leaving for LA
No site will make everyone happy; I just hope that a deal gets done that keeps the team where they belong.
by newps on Jan 12, 2012 2:21 PM CST reply actions 3 recs
I agree
Most of us have long held that the most popular site for a new Vikings’ stadium is “wherever the hell it gets built.” I think that a lot of us were just hoping for something more.
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by Christopher Gates on Jan 12, 2012 2:29 PM CST up reply actions
Agreed
I don’t want the Dome 2.0 where the problems are evident in the first 3 months and we have to suffer through a crappy stadium for 20-30 more years before we start this whole song and dance over again.
Going with a downtown location doesn't automatically = Dome 2.0
That said, it does mean that fans who want more tailgating room are going to have to adjust to a reality where that isn’t happening.
I hear you...
…and I do feel sorry for the tailgaters if the urban scenario plays out. Minnesotans deserve the right to grill their bratwurst, burgers, ribs, drink beer and play football in the parking lot!
I've been to the Farmer's market a couple of times in the last year
There is no way they can shoehorn a stadium, traffic, and a decent experience into that site…
by liveforadrenaline on Jan 12, 2012 2:53 PM CST up reply actions
Farmers market maybe
As it’s a lot more space than Linden Ave (across 394 from the Basilica) so there should be room for the stadium and some related entertainment space/plaza type stuff.
There won’t me much for new surface parking lots (i.e., tailgating) though, except maybe some small places on the other side of 94. There is a very small parking lot currently across from the International Market Square and a few empty spaces around, but not much.
That's what they said about Target Field too and yet they pulled it off.
I think it’s more accurate to say that they won’t be able to build a stadium downtown that makes anyone with their heart set on tailgating happy.
Right
If you want big lots of tailgaters, downtown isn’t for you. Anything else you want can be done.
But people complain about a lack of tailgating now, which is weird given all the tailgating that goes on at various nearby surface lots. It’s just not all in one place.
Coming from out of town and out of State
Downtown wasn’t that bad. We couldn’t enjoy any outdoor tailgating but their were a few local bars to pre-game at. I got to experience the famous bloody mary’s of the restaurant I do not remember. It had a whole freaking dinner piled into a Bloody Mary! And amazing Sticky Bunz to munch on. There was shopping and it was easy to get around on the transit.
I’m from the country so it was actually exciting being in the middle of a city for a game and seeing all the beautiful tall buildings. I always request a room high up at the Marriott so I can marvel and the spectacle.
I completely understand the complaint of no football atmosphere tailgating. Especially for you fans that are lucky enough to attend on a regular basis. I’d be very dissapointed in that aspect and after having to go without it for 30 years you most certainly deserve to enjoy that.
by PurpleJesuZ on Jan 12, 2012 3:00 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Why, OH,
why would any Vikes fan from the entire metro area (or state for that matter) complain about driving to any metro location (downtown or 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.
If the Vikings settle for the Metrodome site
New tailgating spot – amillers yard!
Build up your weaknesses until they become your strong points." --Knute Rockne
I'd invite you if I had one
Okay, that was a lie.
But you’d be a lot closer to the Farmers Market and the Basilica.
how will those sites be DOA...??
Minneapolis has scrambled to get their act together, and it sounds like they’re still unprepared as hell. this is ridiculous… the team wants Arden Hills, give them friggin’ Arden Hills.
"Th_r_'s n_ h_p_ f_r _ssh_l_ f_ckw_ts."
Can I buy a vowel...?? +1, Kluwe.
I assume he's referring to the political realities
I don’t think the decision is going to come down to which plan has the slickest presentation.
Except that the legislative session only lasts so long
Time is of the essence, so whoever appears to have the most complete plan very well could be the one voted on by the legislature…
No one really cares about how good it looks… the numbers have to be fairly concrete for the legislature to vote on it, though… and it still looks a bit like Minneapolis has some fuzzy stuff in it…
by liveforadrenaline on Jan 12, 2012 4:59 PM CST up reply actions
Which is why I still think nothing happens this session.
AH doesn’t have a path to passage (as of now) and Minneapolis submitted the worst site. So either this means a wasted session or a site that wasn’t submitted (Basilica or FM) comes in to replace the Dome site sometime during the session.
The one thing that's clear for Minneapolis, though
Is that there doesn’t have to be any local tax increase. Which could be a big selling point for the republicans.
And if the state goes with a gaming option, maybe the timing problem doesn’t matter that much.
What is the Minneapolis path to passage?
I have been told that AH does not have one so it has to be Minneapolis. But Minneapolis does not have one either that I have seen. What is the sources of revenue if there is no tax hike?
Your fantasy football expert since Jerry Rice's rookie year.
Diverting existing taxes
That support the convention center, which will be paid off soon.
Also, they’d be happy to have a Block E casino. Well. Some of them.
Okay, so, yeah, that Block E thing ain’t happening.
I thought the convention center revenues
would not kick in until at least 2015. And then only minimally for a few years. I also thought that the convention board or whomever controlled this money was not in agreement with this decision. They have plans to expand in the future. I am not sure if Minneapolis can legally divert these funds. But I am spitballing here. I am not sure of my memory on this topic.
Plus: Are these city or county taxes? If they are city, they would be subject to a $10 million cap according to the city charter concerning sports venues.
No matter the site, there are still many hurdles to get over before we solve this.
Your fantasy football expert since Jerry Rice's rookie year.
2020 actually
Is when the proposal says they will have enough. And they say they need “state resources” until then.
The convention center revenues
were originally revenues that were used for building the metrodome, and then diverted to the convention center once it was paid off. So they would basically be coming full circle.
Wow. I did not know that.
I guess the old adage about the impossibility of getting rid of a tax once it is enacted is true in this case.
Your fantasy football expert since Jerry Rice's rookie year.
not really
What’s going to be passed by the legislature is actually going to be pretty sparse. It’s going to authorize whatever taxes are involved and the issuance of bonds.
All the rest only really matters to the legislative process as a means of persuading people to vote for it.
But I agree that the fuzziness from Minneapolis does not seem likely to inspire confidence. I suspect the mayor wants this but some of the more liberal council members don’t like it.
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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