Minn. stadium foes suggest giving Dome to Vikings
Published 11:50 am Friday, October 21, 2011
ST. PAUL, Minn. — A bipartisan group of Minnesota state lawmakers who oppose taxpayer subsidies for a new Minnesota Vikings stadium want to instead simply give the team the Metrodome.
Democratic Sen. John Marty of Roseville and Republican Rep. Linda Runbeck of Circle Pines unveiled their proposal at a Capitol press conference Friday. It would transfer ownership of the downtown Minneapolis stadium to the team contingent on the owners signing a 25-year contract to play at the Metrodome and assume its operating costs. Marty and Runbeck say that would let the team refurbish the Metrodome to whatever level they want.
Vikings spokesman Jeff Anderson says the team isn’t interested. He says the Vikings remain committed to building a new, $1.1 billion stadium in suburban Arden Hills.
