Vikes stadium authority to name CEO at 1st meeting

Published 10:54 am Friday, June 22, 2012

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority meets for the first time Friday to announce a chief executive and take other initial steps toward building a $975 million Vikings stadium.

The authority’s five members are gathering at the Metrodome, which eventually will be torn down to make way for the new arena.

Chairwoman Michele Kelm-Helgen will preside over the meeting after being appointed last week by Gov. Mark Dayton, who plans to attend and swear in the members. Kelm-Helgen is leaving her job as one of Dayton’s top aides.

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The authority will oversee design and construction of a facility involving nearly $500 million in state and city money. The group must also decide whether to manage the construction project directly or give the team that responsibility, while keeping the project on budget.