Governor has more concerns about Vikings' stadium deal
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton has some new concerns over the plan to build a stadium for the Vikings in Arden Hills, and he questions the strategy of Ramsey County officials.
The Vikings and Arden Hills reached an agreement earlier this week to build a retractable-roof stadium there, but the plan has many real obstacles to clear before the state legislature adjourns May 23, and it sounds like Dayton’s support for the project is wavering.
Most notably, the agreement doesn’t account for large-scale road projects to the tune of $200 million that must be completed to secure a stadium in the St. Paul suburb.
“I could see why that would be appealing to the Vikings,” Dayton told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “I don't know why Ramsey County agreed to it.”
But per the report, Dayton believes the agreement gives far too much control and revenue to the Vikings, who will have to pay roughly $407 million for the stadium. Dayton has pledged $300 million from the state to support a stadium but says that needed roadwork could exceed that figure by $240 million. That gap won’t be closed by him.
What does it all mean? Barring something we don’t see coming right now, this deal will not be done this spring as the Vikings prepare for the final year of their lease at the Metrodome. That will only lead to more rumors about Los Angeles, right?
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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune