Minn. Senators talk Vikings stadium funding
Published 4:46 pm Tuesday, December 6, 2011
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minneapolis city leaders say they want to rebuild a new Vikings stadium at the Metrodome site.
Two Senate panels took testimony Tuesday on funding possibilities for a state share of the stadium. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak says using the Metrodome would cost $215 million cheaper than the team’s preferred option of building a $1.1 billion stadium in suburban Ramsey County.
Rybak also offered a $300 million local share from an existing local sales tax. He says the Minneapolis Armory could be converted to a game-day events center.
Supporters of numerous expanded gambling proposals touted their plans as potential funding sources. That includes a new proposal from northwestern Minnesota’s White Earth Tribal Nation to build a Twin Cities-area casino and share revenue with the state for stadium funding.
