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Stadium proposal still uncertain <br />by Kristine Goodrich <br />A <br />fter two public hearings earlier this <br />Editors Note: <br />winter, there was little action at the from the Vikings and the City of Minne <br />- <br />This story was written in mid-January. <br />Capitol regarding a new Vikings stadium. apolis to meet and narrow the list of three <br />With the Minnesota Legislature now in <br />There were, however, a few developments potential Minneapolis stadium sites to a <br />session, it is very likely that there will be <br />at the County level in December and early <br />- <br />a series of changes in the stadium picture. <br />January, including a proposal for a county back announced his preference to rebuild <br />For current information about legislative <br />food and beverage tax. on the current Metrodome site. Vikings <br />action on this and other issues, visit <br />www.leg.state.mn.us. <br />their top choice. <br />Commissioners <br />Tony Bennett <br />Center to support a new <br />Ortega are <br />stadium in Minneapolis. <br />proposing to <br />The Mayors proposal, <br />build a public <br />however, would require <br />stadium, used <br />the City to bypass a <br />primarily by <br />required voter referendum <br />the Vikings, on <br />and most Minneapolis <br />part of the 430 <br />City Council members do <br />acre tract on the <br />not support it. <br />western edge of <br />the former Twin <br />County proposes new <br />Cities Army <br />food and beverage tax <br />Ammunition <br />Commissioners Bennett <br />Plant (TCAAP). <br />and Ortega proposed <br />The stadium <br />December 15 to enact a 3 <br />and surrounding <br />percent food and beverage <br />infrastructure <br />tax to help fund the sta <br />- <br />is estimated to <br />dium. The countywide tax <br />Illustration courtesy of Minnesota Vikings <br />cost $1.1 billion, which is proposed to be <br />would apply only to food <br />paid for by the Vikings, State, and County. The second Capitol hearing focused on <br />and drinks sold in restaurants, bars, and <br />Those three stakeholders would have to potential funding sources. The Viking orga <br />- <br />public places, not at retail stores. The new <br />nization has pledged $425 million toward <br />come to an agreement before a stadium <br />tax would raise approximately $24 million <br />could move forward. The Arden Hills City <br />a year toward the Countys proposed $350 <br />Council passed a resolution in Novem <br />- <br />million contribution. This is the only <br />ber conditionally supporting a stadium lodging taxes could be used. A representa <br />- <br />development (see the December newsletter <br />- <br />only plan that would make the local share <br />vation proposed building a casino on the <br />available immediately, the commissioners <br />meanwhile, want to keep the stadium in Arden Hills site and contributing a portion <br />wrote in a letter to State leaders. <br />their city.of gaming revenues. <br />The commissioners pitched the special tax <br />Senate holds hearings <br />- <br />after their earlier plan to increase the <br />trodome site would cost $215 million less <br />than building new in Arden Hills, and he <br />- <br />ings held by State Senate committees on proposed redirecting City taxes currently <br />used for the Minneapolis Convention <br />Continued on page 4 <br />