Minneapolis stadium plan awkwardly moves forward

Proponents of a bill at the state capitol in Minnesota got some momentum late Tuesday night in their measures to produce a new $791 million stadium for the Minnesota Vikings.

A house committee approved a financing plan with a vote of 6-4 but out of the package now are taxes on hotel rooms, rental cars and NFL merchandise, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. That leaves only sales taxes now being to generate revenue to play for Minneapolis’ convention center to finance the project. That right there could ultimately hinder the bill, which requires the Vikings to pony up $264 million for the new building.

The bill also requires the stadium to be built where the Metrodome currently is, and now there is backlash against the plan to convert tax money from the convention center.

Lawmakers are in the fourth quarter in this legislative session attempting to get something done, and there is no consensus as to whether or not the Vikings will get what they are seeking. The bill calls for them to sign a 40-year lease and also has a provision for owner Zygi Wilf to help pay down debt on the stadium in the event he sells the franchise.

The lease the Vikings has at the Metrodome expires after the 2011 season. The team has said it will not sign a new lease if a deal isn’t done on a new stadium. Stay tuned.

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