Showing posts with label Minnesota Vikings Stadium Bill. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Minnesota Vikings Stadium Bill. Show all posts
Monday, May 28, 2012
Vikings stadium approved. Now what?
Pioneer Press
"State and local funding for a new Minnesota Vikings stadium has been approved on paper. Now, the work begins.
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said one of the first steps will be the creation of an implementation committee to examine key details of the stadium plan, such as local hiring for construction jobs and ways to connect the stadium to the West Bank and the surrounding community.
The stadium legislation requires the creation of a five-member sports facility authority, with two members chosen by the mayor and three chosen by the governor's office. Rybak's spokesman, John Stiles, said those members will be picked within the next two weeks.
Jeff Anderson, a spokesman for the Vikings, said he envisioned architectural design and planning for a new stadium would take 10 months to a year. A construction firm would be hired through a public process. Crews could break ground on a stadium next spring.
"We've been anxiously awaiting this vote for a couple of weeks," Anderson said.
Minneapolis City Council member Elizabeth Glidden said many hope to see the sports facility authority evolve into a regional body, scheduling concerts and conventions at the stadium, the Minneapolis Convention Center, the Target Center and perhaps even the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. "
Full Article
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
St. Paul balks at stadium tax - 07-06-2011
St. Paul balks at stadium tax - 07-06-2011
"The St. Paul City Council appears set to unanimously vote Wednesday against a Ramsey County sales tax increase for a proposed Minnesota Vikings stadium in Arden Hills.
Although numerous council members had expressed reservations about the tax, the vote will be their first public stance. The resolution is a formal statement of the council's position in the ongoing political battle but doesn't carry the weight of an ordinance.
Council President Kathy Lantry said it was time for the council to take a stand. "The rumor we've heard is a deal is imminent so we want to make sure our voice is heard," she said. "I love the Vikings, but ... if they're a statewide asset, then there ought to be a statewide solution."
County Commissioner Tony Bennett, a sponsor of the Vikings proposal to build in Arden Hills, said it's easy to vote against the sales tax. "I don't want to vote for the sales tax either, but what other choice do we have?" he said.
Six of the City Council members signed on as sponsors to the one-page resolution opposing the half-cent sales tax increase. Council Member Melvin Carter, who isn't a sponsor, said he "absolutely" supports the resolution.
Bennett and Ramsey County Commissioner Rafael Ortega have proposed using the tax increase to raise $350 million as the county contribution toward the Vikings stadium. The stadium is expected to cost $1 billion, with $407 million coming from the Vikings and $300 million from the state.
"Whether the stadium is the right thing to do or not, it's just too steep a price for St. Paul and Ramsey County taxpayers," said Russ Stark, a City Council member.
Carter said, "The proposal on the table is counting on a tax increase from the people we represent. We owe it to them to be very clearly on the record."
Lantry questioned why the county would raise a sales tax for the Vikings, but not for other services it provides, including the sheriff's protection, jails, solid waste removal and an array of human services. "That would help people 365 days a year," Lantry said."
Article per ProSportsDaily.com & StarTribune.com
"The St. Paul City Council appears set to unanimously vote Wednesday against a Ramsey County sales tax increase for a proposed Minnesota Vikings stadium in Arden Hills.
Although numerous council members had expressed reservations about the tax, the vote will be their first public stance. The resolution is a formal statement of the council's position in the ongoing political battle but doesn't carry the weight of an ordinance.
Council President Kathy Lantry said it was time for the council to take a stand. "The rumor we've heard is a deal is imminent so we want to make sure our voice is heard," she said. "I love the Vikings, but ... if they're a statewide asset, then there ought to be a statewide solution."
County Commissioner Tony Bennett, a sponsor of the Vikings proposal to build in Arden Hills, said it's easy to vote against the sales tax. "I don't want to vote for the sales tax either, but what other choice do we have?" he said.
Six of the City Council members signed on as sponsors to the one-page resolution opposing the half-cent sales tax increase. Council Member Melvin Carter, who isn't a sponsor, said he "absolutely" supports the resolution.
Bennett and Ramsey County Commissioner Rafael Ortega have proposed using the tax increase to raise $350 million as the county contribution toward the Vikings stadium. The stadium is expected to cost $1 billion, with $407 million coming from the Vikings and $300 million from the state.
"Whether the stadium is the right thing to do or not, it's just too steep a price for St. Paul and Ramsey County taxpayers," said Russ Stark, a City Council member.
Carter said, "The proposal on the table is counting on a tax increase from the people we represent. We owe it to them to be very clearly on the record."
Lantry questioned why the county would raise a sales tax for the Vikings, but not for other services it provides, including the sheriff's protection, jails, solid waste removal and an array of human services. "That would help people 365 days a year," Lantry said."
Article per ProSportsDaily.com & StarTribune.com
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