Vikings owner optimistic but stadium situation gains no clarity
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Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf spent three hours meeting Wednesday with Gov. Mark Dayton, but all that was clear afterward was the team's stadium situation remains as murky as ever.
The meeting between the two was planned after Dayton said Monday night that the only chance for the Vikings to get a stadium approved during this year's Legislative session was if it was built on the site of the Metrodome.
The Vikings' hope had been to get a stadium in Arden Hills. The team also appeared to be open to its new home being located at the Linden Ave. site in Minneapolis near the Basilica of St. Mary.
However, legislators haven't been receptive to the idea of a 3 percent food and beverage tax in Ramsey County to help fund the $1.1 billion stadium in Arden Hills. The Linden Ave. site lost all momentum when John Bauer, rector of the Basilica, voiced strong concerns about a stadium being so close to the historic church.
Wilf reiterated Wednesday that the Vikings would still like to explore the Arden Hills option but added, "we're very open to making sure that we have a Vikings stadium in the Twin Cities area."
Wilf said the Vikings are still in the process of doing their due diligence on the possible Metrodome replacement.
"There are a lot of aspects involved, including how we address the seasons that we would be playing at TCF (Bank Stadium)," he said. "There are a lot of questions still to be answered. But we're making progress on getting to know the site much better."
TCF Bank Stadium, which is the home of the Minnesota Gophers football team, likely would have to house the Vikings for three seasons if the Metrodome is torn down and a new venue is built on that land.
The Star Tribune reported that Wilf was scheduled to meet with Ramsey County officials later Wednesday to discuss the Arden Hills option and thus that might not be dead if a funding source can be found in quick fashion.
Meanwhile, there could be an issue with the Minneapolis plan.
The paper reported that mayor R.T. Rybak has made it clear the city would not participate financially in building a stadium unless there was monetary relief for Target Center as well.
"There's always going to be a level of frustration when you're dealing with the political world as a business person," Wilf said. "So we just have to take it. That goes along with making sure that we reach our ultimate goal of getting a stadium done for our fans and for everybody in Minnesota.
"We're very excited that we're getting closer. A lot of hard work is ahead of us, but I'm optimistic and confident that we'll get something done."
