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Jan 2, 2009 7:34 pm US/Central
Vikings, Again, Pushing For New Stadium
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
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The Vikings have been pushing for a new stadium for more than a decade. Their latest plan seeks more than $635 million in public money for a downtown stadium with an overall price tag of almost $1 billion.
AP
After Ryan Longwell kicked the Minnesota Vikings into the playoffs, the team is hoping to kick-start talk of a new stadium.
This time when the Purple make their pitch to state legislators, their focus won't be on how much it will cost, but rather how much it can bring.
"Why shouldn't this be looked at as an economic development and economic stimulus package? If that is what this session is about, why shouldn't that be part of this discussion? We think it should be," said Lester Bagley, the Vikings' vice president of public affairs.
With their lease set to expire in 2011, the Vikings have 30 games left at the Metrodome and then they are free to leave. With new Twins and Gophers stadiums nearing completion, Vikings officials said a stadium project could create more than 5,000 jobs and more than $500 million in local contracts.
The Vikings have been pushing for a new stadium for more than a decade. Their latest plan seeks more than $635 million in public money for a downtown stadium with an overall price tag of almost $1 billion.
That pitch may not be enough for state legislators. On Friday morning, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said a new Vikings stadium this session isn't in the game plan.
"I don't think it would be on anyone's priority list in light of the more important challenges that we face with the budget deficit, the economy in crisis and the need to focus on jobs and getting that fixed," said Pawlenty.
House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher said it has no chance.
When asked about putting their money toward a stadium to help the economy, taxpayer opinions varied.
"We would be losing money, but then, eventually in the future, we'd get it back, but right now I can't afford to give the money up," said Jerusalem Bedecha.
Rachana Lafrentz disagreed, saying, "If nothing else has worked, then why not try this strategy?"
A team spokesman said there is a study currently underway that is focusing on the team's overall impact on the state's economy. That study should be completed by the end of January.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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