Dec 21, 2005 11:27 am US/Central
More Time On Table For Vikings Stadium Deal
Anoka, Minn. (AP) ―
A proposal for a new $675 million Vikings stadium with a retractable roof may get another chance after Vikings owner Zygi Wilf and Anoka County officials agreed to extend the deal through at least next summer.
The original agreement is set to expire Dec. 31.
"We have agreed verbally to proceed and continue advocating for a retractable-roof stadium," Lester Bagley, the Vikings' vice president of public affairs and stadium development, said on Tuesday.
Bagley said attorneys are working out details of the extension, but he said it will carry the proposal through the next legislative session.
The extension still includes the retractable roof option because Anoka County officials said they wanted a year-round venue instead of an open-air stadium in Blaine.
Anoka County Commissioners Margaret Langfeld and Dan Erhart said they anticipate no problems with the extension.
"Both sides, I think, are happy with the agreement and intend to renew it much the same," said Langfeld, the County Board chairwoman.
The current proposal calls for the state to pay for the stadium's roof, estimated at $115 million. An open-air stadium could be financed equally by the Vikings and Anoka County, with Anoka County paying for its share through a 0.75 percent sales tax.
Meanwhile, stadium proposals for the Twins and the University of Minnesota football team are also due to expire Dec. 31.
The university is negotiating to extend a 25-year, $35 million deal with TCF Bank for naming rights to a new outdoor football stadium on campus. That stadium has a price tag of $248 million.
"I think quite honestly, if we have it done early in the session, we can easily ensure (the stadium) will be ready by 2009," said Gophers Athletic Director Joel Maturi.
There were no indications Tuesday that a deadline extension would be coming for a $478 million stadium for the Twins. Under the deal's terms, the Legislature needs to exempt Hennepin County from a state law requiring a citizen referendum to approve the project.
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