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Sep 23, 2005 1:15 pm US/Central
U: No Gopher Stadium Before 2009
St. Paul (AP) ―
On the eve of the University of Minnesota's homecoming weekend, a top school official disclosed Friday that football won't return to campus until 2009 at the earliest and will cost more than previously announced.
Richard Pfutzenreuter, the university's chief financial officer, said a 2008 opening of a proposed on-campus stadium is no longer feasible. He said the estimated $235 million cost of the project is now at $248 million and could climb higher.
"Even if there was a special session, which we dearly want for other reasons, we're forced to '09," Pfutzenreuter said.
The news came on the same day Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he would reach out to legislative leaders on proposals for new stadiums for the Minnesota Twins, Vikings and Gophers.
Without committing to a fall special session, Pawlenty told his weekly radio show audience he planned to contact top legislators by letter to get the conversation going. The teams want him to call a special session to vote on a trio of stadium proposals this year instead of waiting until the 2006 session begins in March.
The Republican governor has cautiously circled the stadium issue for months. He has previously said odds were against a special session and most recently has indicated he is focused instead on the state's response to Hurricane Katrina.
He spoke most favorably about the push to bring University of Minnesota football back to campus. The Gophers now play their home games in the Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis, which is also home to the Twins and Vikings.
Pfutzenreuter said the school still plans to raise 60 percent of the stadium's cost through private fundraising and needs the state's help for the rest. In 2003, the university projected the cost at $222 million.
But the stadium issue has been on the back burner at the Capitol, and the delay has pushed the project cost up.
Pfutzenreuter said the 5 percent inflation is probably a floor. Rebuilding from southern hurricanes could push the cost of energy, concrete, steel and plywood even higher, he said.
One major university pledge -- $35 million from TCF Bank for naming rights -- expires at year's end. Pfutzenreuter said other possible contributors are waiting for state action before writing their checks, too.
Pawlenty said all three teams bring value to the state.
"It is not necessarily a dollar-for-dollar direct economic value, but there's a lot of excitement, fun and intangibles of having these teams here," he said. "You don't want to be reckless or ridiculous about how you do it. But as an overall goal, keeping the teams here has value."
One caller, Don from Coon Rapids, urged Pawlenty not to put the issue off until 2006.
"When you go to the regular session, things get bogged down," the caller said.
Earlier this week, Vikings owner Zygi Wilf added a new plan to the mix. The team and Anoka County are seeking state approval for a project that would total $790 million when the stadium and related infrastructure are factored in. A local sales tax would cover $280 million, but another $230 million is needed from the state.
The Twins and Hennepin County want permission to raise a local sales tax for a downtown ballpark. They aren't asking for a state contribution.
(© 2005 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
