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Ramsey County EWS Contact Art Coulson Communications Director (651) 266 -8017 (office) (612) 655 -$102 (mobile) art.caulson c,co.ramsey.mn.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Commissioners Urge State to Move Forward with Stadium Project ST. PAUL, MN, OCTOBER 12, 2011— All of the issues raised in the Metropolitan Council's Vikings Stadium review, which was released today, have been previously identified by Ramsey County and the Minnesota Vikings and can be managed, if the state musters the political will to do so. The Arden Hills site is the best location for a new Vikings Stadium and is the team's choice for development. Cleanup and redevelopment of the state's largest Superfund site and return of that land to productive use is one of Ramsey County's top priorities. The project would also put Minnesota construction tradespeople to work now, spur economic development in the north metro and jump start much - needed improvements to the local highway system. "This project is economically viable and can be done on the schedule we've laid out," said Ramsey County Commissioner Tony Bennett. "The governor asked the Vikings to choose a site and a local partner and to come up with a financing plan. They've done that. Now, Ramsey County encourages the governor and state legislators to come to the table in good faith and begin the real work of making this stadium project a reality." "We know that the TCAAP site is developable and the Vikings Stadium is the best chance the east metro region has to return fallow land back to productive use," said Ramsey County Commissioner Rafael Ortega. "There are no other viable development proposals that would remediate the largest Superfund site in the state of Minnesota. The stadium project will bring jobs, economic development and much- needed highway improvements to the region. This project is a much - needed stimulus for the east metro economy that will have far - reaching beneficial impacts. We have had a workable plan on the table for six months. We are still waiting for the state to step up and become a full partner in the project." "State officials must show true leadership by stepping forward soon to publicly support this project," said Bennett. "Every time Ramsey County and the Vikings meet the requirements set by the governor, another hurdle is created, the latest being the Met Council study that largely replicates analytical work that has already been done. This project seems to be suffering a death by a thousand paper cuts. Further delays will result in additional costs. Time is running out." -30-