Minneapolis officials will announce a proposal to build a downtown stadium for the Minnesota Vikings that will call for the local government to pay 25 percent of the cost, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
With time running out on the legislative session in the state Capitol, it appears that the Vikings will be able to choose between the downtown option and one in Ramsey County which is clouded by questions about major infrastructure work that would need to be completed for it to be feasible.
In the downtown plan, sales tax generated from the city’s convention center would be used to provide money for the stadium fund and also provide money to renovate the Target Center, the downtown home of the Timerwolves and Wild.
It was reported Friday that Vikings officials may be willing to pay 40 percent for a new stadium. Originally, the plan was for the team, state and local government to handle one-third of the expense for a new stadium.
There is a $5.1 billion deficit in Minnesota and taxpayers are opposed to the use of public money for the construction of a new stadium. The Vikings’ lease at the Metrodome runs through this season.
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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune