Vikings say Arden Hills site would be “A people’s stadium”
The Minnesota Vikings are working to remind Governor Dayton and state lawmakers that they are committed to building a new Vikings stadium in Arden Hills. Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf sent a letter to Gov. Dayton and lawmakers today highlighting their agreement with Ramsey County. Governor Dayton and state lawmakers haven't fully embraced the Arden Hills site because of the cost of road improvements.
Vikings lobbyist Lester Bagley says the stadium will meet the governor's desire to have what he has called a "people's stadium."
"This is going to be a multi-purpose facility to host all of the high school and amateur sports and community events," Bagley said. "All of the events that are being held or have been held at the Metrodome so it's a replacement of the Metrodome and this is to assure everyone that this is part of our commitment."
Ramsey County and the Vikings reached agreement earlier this week on building the new stadium in Arden Hills. Ramsey County would increase a half cent sales tax to pay for its portion of the stadium.
But there are issues with the new stadium. Dayton and state lawmakers question the cost of road improvements needed around the site. Lanning also said he wants to make sure that the football stadium is used for more than NFL games.
"This is a facility for the whole state," Lanning said. "It's not just a facility for the Vikings. People keep referring to this as a Vikings stadium. Yeah the Vikings will be there hopefully. That's why we're trying to move this forward but this is a stadium for a whole lot of other needs as the state of Minnesota."
Lanning said he won't hold a hearing on the bill until some of those concerns are addressed. He said he has a Monday meeting with Dayton to discuss the stadium.
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