Minnesota Vikings Stadium: Dayton Says Proposals Need To Be In By January 12

by Christopher Gates on Jan 5, 2012 1:30 PM CST in Minnesota Vikings Stadium

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton sent letters to the Ramsey County folks behind the Arden Hills stadium site as well as leaders in Minneapolis saying that any proposals for a new Minnesota Vikings stadium need to be submitted by 12 January in order to be considered for the upcoming legislative session, which kicks off on 24 January. That means that any proposals need to be in one week from today.

You know, if you were planning on getting in on this whole thing.

According to the letters that Dayton sent out, the proposals need to include "as much detailed information as possible about your proposed means to finance the local share of the project," as well as "reasons you feel your site to be superior."

The Vikings' lease with the Metrodome expires on 1 February, a week after the start of the regular legislative session, and the team insists they are not signing any sort of extension or additional lease without the assurance that a new stadium project is underway.

In addition to the Arden Hills site in Ramsey County, the other sites in play are near the Basilica of St. Mary, the Farmer's Market district, and the current Metrodome site, although nobody has really clearly expressed what the Vikings are expected to do if the current Metrodome site is the one that's chosen. You know, outside of "play at TCF Bank Stadium, which will be an ice rink a couple of times a year due to lack of heating coils under the field, and lose a ton of money because the stadium seats 10,000 fewer people (which will also tick off your season ticket holders) and you're not allowed to sell alcohol since it's on a college campus but that's okay because, really, screw you guys."

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Let the fun begin!

Wait, the legislature has been kicking the can down the road for almost 10 years?

by liveforadrenaline on Jan 5, 2012 1:56 PM CST reply actions

The proposal won't be the Metrodome site

The Mpls city council wants that site for their new 2020 development plan. The stadium is going to be built in Western downtown – near the Basilica (hope we’ll still be able to see it from 394) or Farmer’s market area. Arden Hills was a cool idea, but the price tag is the sticking issue.

And yes it is going to get built – or I’m moving back to Arkansas. Don’t ask …

by Torstein on Jan 5, 2012 2:20 PM CST reply actions

Not so much cheaper in Mpls...

…the Wilfs reduce the team’s contribution by $200 million.

Ardent Hills gives the state the best bang for the buck due to the adjacent development that will occur. Much bigger boost to commerce and property tax revenue. Not to mention the creation of more jobs and income taxes.

by Lars in SLP on Jan 5, 2012 3:23 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

I was surprised

By recent suggestions that the Vikes are looking at Linden Ave (basilica). Seems like the worst option by far to me.

by amiller92 on Jan 6, 2012 4:37 AM CST up reply actions

Thanks for the info!

Just gotta finish up my Duluth stadium proposal…

"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 5, 2012 2:52 PM CST reply actions

You could go a bit east to the Iron Range

All you gotta do is add seats to the big holes where the iron mines used to be. Should be CHEEP!

by liveforadrenaline on Jan 5, 2012 3:00 PM CST up reply actions

Errr, West.

I’m now probably banned from going back to visit UMD, where I went to that college thingy for a couple of years…

by liveforadrenaline on Jan 5, 2012 3:02 PM CST up reply actions

North

Is the answer we were looking for, but you’re forgiven. ;)

by Arik Forsman on Jan 5, 2012 7:38 PM CST up reply actions

there must be something close, this is great

my read is that this deadline is a means to narrow the candidate sites, in the process finally taking arden hills off the table (if they cant come up with something tenable given the higher cost)
shrewd! i like it!!
skol!!!!!

by los vikingos on Jan 5, 2012 3:09 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions

I'm so glad to hear this

I thought for a second that the Vikes would go to LA, which would have been a real tragedy. They just have way too much history and too passionate a fan-base.

Question: who do you think goes to LA now? I personally think – and hope – that it’s the 49ers. I live in the Bay Area and it looks like their Santa Clara stadium plan is going to fail. A group of citizens is starting a new ballot initiative that will likely end their dreams of playing in the South Bay. At that point, however, San Francisco will have gone ahead with its Hunter Point project without the 49ers. So it looks like it’ll be the 49ers, in my opinion.

by TheNeonGodTheyMade on Jan 5, 2012 3:13 PM CST reply actions

Yeah,

And they’d have to change their name from Vikings to Conquistadors. (Sp?)

by Lars in SLP on Jan 5, 2012 3:34 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Since you live there, you're probably more in the know than we are.

but I’ve been hearing rumors about the Chargers moving to LA….(ESPN NFLN)
I’ve also heard rumors about the Jags, Rams and Raiders too, but the Chargers rumor is the latest that I’ve heard.

by chaosg on Jan 5, 2012 4:31 PM CST up reply actions

Rams just got a stadium renovation deal...not likely that they can leave now.

by Rollosdad on Jan 6, 2012 10:54 AM CST up reply actions

New LA Team

I will go “off the board” and suggest that the Buffalo Bills will move. Now, I would hate to see that (I like the tradition of the Bills in Buffalo) but San Diego is too big to not have an NFL team and the fans attend. Jacksonville’s new owner says he is committed to leaving the team there. I think that the 49ers will stay because the big government folks up there will not allow the “quality of life” issue of losing a team to impact that city.

Oh yeah…and the only team with less stadium revenue than the Vikes is…(drumroll please)…the Bills.

by Rollosdad on Jan 6, 2012 10:53 AM CST up reply actions

Remember last autumn when the guv set a deadline?

Let’s not get overly excited about governor Goofy. After announcing he would unveil his own plan— at the last minute, before his very own deadline, he refused to do so.

Dayton doesn’t make legislation, though he could suggest some, he can merely sign or veto anything that clears the legislature.

But let’s keep our fingers crossed just the same.

by Lars in SLP on Jan 5, 2012 3:32 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Think what you want about Dayton,

but he has done more for a new Viking’s stadium than any other politician in the last decade. I don’t think the legislature would even be considering a stadium proposal if Dayton didn’t set some deadlines (even if they were unatainable) or keep bringing the issue up in front of the media. Right or wrong this is called political leadership when someone forces both parties to get something done on a single issue.

by Tuba on Jan 5, 2012 4:03 PM CST up reply actions

Discussions do not equal results...

Let’s see how this plays out in the Legislature…

by liveforadrenaline on Jan 5, 2012 4:10 PM CST up reply actions

Further,

I just read an article that added he better the letter he sent out with the House and Senate authors of whatever Bill will be introduced. So I stand corrected, or admonished, as it is clear he didn’t just pull this out of thin air.

PROGRESS!

Meanwhile, here’s a good read on the contrast between MPLS and Arden Hills, By John Holler.

http://min.scout.com/2/1145751.html

by Lars in SLP on Jan 5, 2012 8:42 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

correction: ...he vetted the letter...

by Lars in SLP on Jan 5, 2012 8:57 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

????

So the Vikings ultimately have no choice in which stadium gets chosen? The cities get to duke it out in front of the state legislature? This is how it’s going to be settled?

Wow, if I were the owner of the VIkings I would pack up the team and leave this state forever.

by Boot on Jan 5, 2012 4:59 PM CST reply actions

Not sure if it works that way

Each site has a price. The state funding may vary but I do not think its their ultimate call because the legistlature or the state do not ‘own’ the Vikings. The leverage is still in the Vikings end to decide who’s their next stadium ‘landlord’. The govt probably can at best make a recommendation and clarify how they will support it. Politicians always say the devil is in the details. They’ll do their evil duty to favor the site the want, otherwise there is a ‘price’ to do so elsewhere. If its ugly enough or worse off than a metrodome deal risking financial stability, it can force the Vikings to reject all options and begin the squeeze to leave. just my 2 cents. Get your popcorn ready!

by VikesFanSince1967 on Jan 5, 2012 6:41 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

It's not so clearcut, for sure

The owner of the New England Patriots spent 15 years signing agreements and trying to get a location and financing from multiple state, county, and city governments.

Finally he just said, “Screw it, I don’t need anyone, I’ll just build it myself.”

This whole thing is only a problem because Wilf will kick in money but doesn’t want to own the stadium, so he’s trying to get others to agree on who will build it.

Some teams do it that way, some own their own stadium, and some are owned by cities, like the Chicago and Philadelphia stadiums.

by liveforadrenaline on Jan 5, 2012 7:03 PM CST up reply actions

Zygi says he'll pay more for Arden Hills site

Because part of the deal is he gets to buy a bunch of polluted adjacent land that he can clean up and developed.

He has made clear he will not contribute the same money for a MPLS site because there’s no opportunity for him to recoup any money through adjacent development.

Who could blame him?

So MPLS claims to be a couple hundred million cheaper on the total price tag, but when you cut the Vikes contribution from $400 mil. to $200 mil, it’s a wash. Imo.

by Lars in SLP on Jan 5, 2012 8:54 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Reading between the lines

It seems the team may be softening on the “Arden hills only” line in the face of political reality. We’ll see.

by amiller92 on Jan 6, 2012 4:42 AM CST up reply actions

Who said that?

He Vikes get input, and can leave if they don’t like what’s offered.

But unless hey are paying for it, no, it’s not entirely up to them.

by amiller92 on Jan 6, 2012 4:40 AM CST up reply actions

well, if you were paying for the majority of the project like the state and county

and would own it like the proposal is for the state to own it, wouldn’t you want to have majority say in where it is built and how much it will cost?

by Chris3 on Jan 6, 2012 2:47 PM CST up reply actions

Question:

Do the Vikings have to move out of their Metrodome offices, locker room & equipment areas on Feb. 1st if a new lease is not signed.

If the Vikes want to play hard ball they would move out to show that they are serious about getting a new deal done.

If the Commission wants to play hard ball they could kick them out to try and force to accept their deal.

Or they could play nice and let the status quo reign until a deal is done. Or better yet, everyone involved could actually get a deal done.

Your fantasy football expert since Jerry Rice's rookie year.

by Odin on Jan 5, 2012 8:08 PM CST reply actions

No reason to hard ball

Its been going on for 30 years IMO. The dome has been a poor regenerator compared to other sites. Time for a real change in a positive direction.

by VikesFanSince1967 on Jan 5, 2012 9:40 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

and yet, I've heard that since the Dome has been such a great moneymaker

that the state would be foolish not to fund another stadium. Which is it? Either the dome makes a lot of money or it doesn’t.

by Chris3 on Jan 6, 2012 2:48 PM CST up reply actions

Aren't their offices at winter park?

I’m not sure how much they use the dome in the offseason.

by amiller92 on Jan 6, 2012 4:43 AM CST up reply actions

The ticket office is downtown.

I am sure they have game day equipment stored in the bowels of the Metrodome. They have banners hung outside year round. It is a legal point to consider. It depends on how the lease is worded and if there is a temporary side agreement negotiated.

Your fantasy football expert since Jerry Rice's rookie year.

by Odin on Jan 6, 2012 8:28 AM CST up reply actions

This might sound weird but..

I hope they rebuild on the old dome site so the Vikings will have to play at TCF bank stadium which is outdoors! Would be nice to see a few seasons of outdoor play before the new stadium is built.

by Grape Drank on Jan 5, 2012 9:17 PM CST reply actions

As to what they do in the interrim

This

by amiller92 on Jan 6, 2012 4:32 AM CST reply actions

Darnit

This

by amiller92 on Jan 6, 2012 4:34 AM CST up reply actions

Our Owners

Regardless of all of this stadium mess and the “product on the field” this year, you have to admit that we do have some fantastic owners. Despite what the state has done to them, they remain committed to Minnesota and leaving the team here. The Wilfs have also not been shy about putting big $ into getting a good product on the field. I appreciate them as owners and commend them for what they have been trying to accomplish.

by Rollosdad on Jan 6, 2012 10:57 AM CST reply actions

They just don't seem to have the intelligence in how to choose a staff

be it coaching, front office or other. They certainly seem willing to spend the money, but unable to differentiate between good and bad business decisions, particularly when discussing player contracts.

by Chris3 on Jan 6, 2012 2:50 PM CST up reply actions