New Vikings Stadium

"Metrodome Next" project envisions a new world-class, retractable-roof facility; revitalized neighborhood; and year-round, multi-purpose facility that benefits the entire State

MINNEAPOLIS (April 19, 2007) - The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission (MSFC) today reviewed the redevelopment potential of the H.H.H. Metrodome site as the location for a new year-round, multi-use, retractable-roof facility that will keep the Vikings in Minnesota through 2041 and can help spur a broader redevelopment of the Downtown East neighborhood around the Metrodome.

Commission staff presented its recommendation in an interim report on redevelopment of the Metrodome stadium site. The report is based on extensive research into current and future stadium costs, ancillary development potential and the program needs of the Minnesota Vikings. The Commission voted unanimously to receive the report and directed staff to continue to move forward toward .

"There is urgency to the question, 'What's next for the Metrodome site?' Our goal is to come up with the right answer," said Roy Terwilliger, Chairman of the MSFC. "We believe a new stadium on the Metrodome site is the right answer because of the benefits it can deliver to the people of Minnesota. We need a year-round, multi-purpose facility in the Twin Cities, one that can attract and host everything from the nine-man football championship to a Women's World Cup Qualifier to the Final Four."

The report received by the Commission estimates that the cost of a new facility constructed on the Metrodome site with a retractable roof will be approximately $954 million and that it would be a positive driver of development beyond the Metrodome site, particularly in conjunction with other factors, such as the naming of a master developer for the area. The report also provides information on stadium projects in other communities.

As part of the meeting, the Commission received a presentation from the ROMA Design Group, which was charged with envisioning how the stadium development could help spur ancillary development in the surrounding neighborhood. Boris Dramov, a world-renowned urban design authority from San Francisco represented ROMA. ROMA has done extensive master planning in San Francisco near AT&T Park (San Francisco Giants) and in San Diego near PETCO Park (San Diego Padres).

The vision of a redeveloped Metrodome site, created by ROMA and the Hoisington Koegler Group of Minneapolis, knits together a redeveloped Downtown East, with the stadium as the anchor, with the surrounding neighborhoods: the Downtown core area, Elliot Park and the Mills waterfront district. The area is further anchored by a "Winter Garden" light rail train station adjacent to the new stadium that is a destination in itself. Their vision is consistent with the City's current master plan.

This vision is compatible with current growth patterns in the area, which suggest that growth in downtown Minneapolis over the next several decades will be to the east of the current core area. The ROMA vision is not to create a new downtown, but to infill the Downtown East area with a new medium-density, mixed-use, live-work neighborhood. It includes:

- The realignment of the downtown area through the creation of new east-west and north-south streetscapes that connect better the downtown core to the Mississippi River and to other neighborhoods
- Adaptive reuse of historic buildings
- A stadium design that provides a new "front door" to the City, a continually active plaza and new development opportunities on the stadium site
- An enhanced transit hub with a Winter Garden that will feature destination entertainment and an intermodal facility, completing the City's front door and providing an additional catalyst for Downtown East redevelopment
- A new in-town "live-work" neighborhood
- A revitalized Chicago Avenue
- The extension of Washington Avenue redevelopment to the east to forge a connection with the Riverfront and Mills districts.

"Today, we saw a vision for what can be next - a world-class, retractable-roof stadium that can make Minnesota a year-round host to major events - and a driver for development that enhances our quality of life. We have the opportunity to secure the benefits of an NFL franchise and those of a year-round, multi-use facility for the next 30 years," Terwilliger said.

Financial Considerations

The estimated cost of a new, retractable-roof multi-purpose stadium on the existing Metrodome site is approximately $954 million. This cost estimate is in line with the projected costs of similar stadium projects that have been built or are currently in the planning phases such as:

*Location*		*Type*	Cost*
Detroit (2002)	Fixed Roof New		$471 million
Seattle (2002)	Open Air New		$465 million
Chicago (2003)	Open Air Renovation		$590 million
Glendale (2006)	Retractable Roof New		$458 million
Indianapolis (2008)	Retractable Roof New		$675 million
Dallas (2009)	Retractable Roof New		$932 million
New York (2010)	Open Air New		$1.7 billion
* Costs are published figures based on time-of-construction dollars; program elements may vary.

Item	Cost
Stadium Hard and Soft Costs		$616,564,000,
Retractable roof		$200,729,000
Parking development		$58,130,000
Land cost of 5th Street right of way		$8,892,000
Escalation to early 2010 construction start		$69,601,000
Total Project Cost		$953,916,000

A significant advantage of the current site is that it uses existing infrastructure in the form of roadways, access ramps, surface streets, parking ramps, transit lines and stations, sewer, power and telecommunications, an infrastructure worth "billions of dollars," according to SRF Consulting Group, an infrastructure planning firm. Duplicating this infrastructure in a suburban location would add hundreds of millions of dollars to the cost of a comparable project.

Beyond the inclusion of existing infrastructure and a substantial investment by the Vikings, the assumption is that the balance of the redeveloped alternative will be paid with public monies. The staff believes that the redevelopment option offers the best alternative that will serve the State for decades to come.

"For 25 years, our State has been well-served by the Metrodome, but it no longer meets the needs of the Vikings and the NFL, or the expectations of sports fans in terms of amenities or fan experience. Now is the time to secure these benefits for our next generation," Terwilliger said. "In three years, the Minnesota Vikings will be the only major sports team playing in the Metrodome, and its use agreement with the facility expires in 2011. We look forward to the opportunity to discuss these recommendations and to move the public debate forward on what will be an important investment for the future of our quality of life in Minnesota."

We are 100% Purple Pride Viking fans. The Vikings and Twins (as well as the other Minnesota sports teams) have always been part of the "common community ground" that we have all shared together in Minnesota. Most of us, when we get together, begin with our common enjoyment of our teams, "breaking the ice" with our "Minnesota nice" takes on the Vikes and Twins (and sometimes the Timberwolves) and then we get on with the rest of our stories about other things we have to do (work, family, projects, neighborhood, etc., whatever it may be.

We are totally independent of the Vikings and any of their organizations. However, we invite the Vikings, owners, coaches and players alike, and all other Minnesotans to join with us in working out a solution together which will work to the benefit of all the people (local fans who are the taxpayers) of Minnesota. large and small businesses impacted directly and indirectly by the Vikings, the Governor, the state legislators and the fans of the Vikings worldwide.

QUITE SIMPLY: WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE THE VIKINGS. But as Bob Dylan sang, "The times, they are a changin."

The Vikings have NOT changed. Football has NOT changed. The enjoyment and community camaraderie we get has NOT changed. The many common community and business and personal benefits we get have NOT changed. BUT! THE FINANCIAL ENVIRONMENT and related to that, the THE PHYSICAL PLAYING FIELDS (now called "venues"), HAVE changed. For a crisp analysis of the situation that best explains why we are at risk of losing our team see the cover story on the financial environment of the NFL and the crucial role played by the stadiums, in the September 20, 1999 Forbes Magazine.

If we want to keep the Vikings we have to adjust to the new reality that professional sports is now both big business and big entertainment.

BUT! It can still be a happy public-private partnership, just as the one which developed the Metrodome and paid it off 14 years early. We can develop a similar model with the Vikings.

We want to have a great season every year. Both national magazines and our own local newspapers have underscored the fact that our current stadium situation limits our ability to do two critical things, FIRST, run the business franchise profitably, and SECOND, field a competitive team -- the kind of team our fans demand and Red McCombs is committed to putting on the field. And. in Minnesota, we have the quality of life many players would like to enjoy for themselves and their families.

But the fact remains that the business of professional football is changing, and, as stated by the previous owners, the Vikings need a new stadium if the Vikings are to keep pace with the rest of the league. In 1999 the Vikings will fall $11 million below the league average in total revenues. But costs remain above that. Without a new stadium that can provide the same (and additional) revenue sources other teams enjoy, that gap will get wider every year. Soon, the Vikings will no be able to generate the revenues needed to operate the team.

Yes. We're fortunate to play in a financially healthy league that works to ensure smaller-market teams like the Vikings have a chance to compete. And although the bulk of shared revenues come from national broadcasting rights, and each NFL team gets the same amount each year, additional revenues are needed to keep pace with the escalating operating costs, which can only be achieved with a new stadium. The shared revenue scheme has not leveled the playing field. The larger markets have built stadiums which can generate home town revenues for the team. Minnesota does not have that. To field any team let alone the Vikings, teams have to have the new type stadiums.

We believe that by working together, we can develop a new financial model which will satisfy the owners who need to make a profit, the taxpayers who don't want to subsidize millionaires, the small businesses and others who profit from the games, and, of course the fans for whom the Vikings have long been a cherished part of their lives. We are inviting all the key players in the debate both for and against a new stadium to join with us in working to put our heads together to create a new financial paradigm that works for Minnesota and in turn works for the Vikings which means it will work for the fans.

Unfortunately, shared revenue is only one part of the equation. 21st century profitability will be based on Non-shared revenues which will come primarily from stadium sources such as concessions, parking, suites, club seats, advertising and any other activities which a team can develop and use to generate revenue. In 1999, these revenues will vary greatly from team to team, and the Vikings will rank near the bottom of the league.

The salary cap helps teams like the Vikings compete for star players by putting a ceiling on the total amount teams can pay players. But the salary cap is tied to the average NFL team revenue and it will rise as the average team revenue rises. Without new stadium revenue sources, the Vikings will fall further below average and will be faced with a tough choice: pay up to the salary cap and lose money, or pay below the cap and lose star players.

This rank position seriously limits the Vikings revenue opportunities. The Vikings rank at or near the bottom among all NFL teams when it comes to important stadium revenue sources like concessions, parking, suites, club seats and advertising.

Because of shorfalls in every stadium revenue category, The Vikings are projected to rank 30th out of 31 teams in the NFL in total revenue for 1999. This is unlikely to improve without a new stadium.

We also want a facility that better serves fans. More people than ever are looking for a way to attend a Viking game. Naturally it is wonderful that the Vikings have sold out of season tickets for the 1999 season and that there is a waiting list for the first time in Metrodome history. To cover the growing need, more seats are needed. The Vikings also need to offer better accommodations -- more restrooms, more concession areas, wider concourses -- so fans no longer have to choose at half-time between the restroom and a snack.

The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission recently issued thoughtful proposals for renovating the Metrodome for both football and baseball.

After a hard look and careful consideration it has been determined that a renovated Metrodome is not an acceptable solution for the Vikings. First, it cannot provide space for both more seats and more fan accommodations. Second, it cannot provide enough revenue-generating opportunities to improve the team's financial picture and allow the Vikings to compete with the rest of the league. In addition, by the time the renovation would be completed, the Metrodome would be nearly 25 years old, and maintenance costs would continue to rise.

While the Metrodome is no longer a viable NFL facility in terms of revenues, capacity and fan accommodations, it is a good example of a successful private/public partnership. The stadium's debt was retired 14 years ahead of schedule and we believe it's time to reinvest in a new facility.

We believe that there are enough examples out there to provide Minnesota with a model which will work for all concerned, from the taxpayers, that is all citizens, to the legislators trying to develop a public-private partnership that will satisfy all, to the owners who will need to show a profit, to the coaches who need to develop a competitive team, to the players on the field, and to the fans in the stands and watching on TV and listening to the radio.

As fans, we're thinking football. We have also geared up for an exciting 1999 season. At the same time, we would like to begin a conversation about the next home for Minnesota Viking football. We believe there is a stadium solution that will benefit not only the team, by also fans and the state of Minnesota. We are committed, cooperatively to "Creating a solution to continue a tradition."

We invite you to submit your suggestions. We will sift through the suggestions as we continue to develop our own research, with the goal to come up with a means and mechanism to achieve a win-win "conflict resolution" for all sides concerned.

VIKINGS SAY THEY ARE STILL IN THE STADIUM GAME
November 4, 1999
Copyright 1999 MediaVentures

Depite voter rejection of a new ballpark for the Minnesota Twins, the NFL Vikings say they will still press their case for a new stadium. Team officials are scheduled to meet with Minneapolis and Hennepin County leaders soon to update them on the team's situation.

The team is considering a new $400 million stadium and will contribute $100 million to the project. That means the rest of the funding must come from the city, county and/or state.

VIKINGS LOOK AT NEW FINANCING OPTIONS
September 18, 2008
Copyright 2008 MediaVentures

Minneapolis, Minn. - After spending two days meeting with executives from the Indianapolis Colts and getting a tour of the brand-new Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis, it appears the Vikings are hoping the solution can involve hospitality taxes.

"That's up to the Legislature and the governor to determine what's the best package of taxes to solve the issue," said Lester Bagley, the Vikings vice president of public affairs and stadium development. "We're not there yet.

"We're working on some finance options, along with the sports commission, but we're not ready to lay those out yet." Team owner Zygi Wilf plans to contribute $250 million to the project. What the Vikings learned in their meetings with the Colts was that public funding to help build the retractable-roofed Lucas Oil Stadium included increases of 3 percent for a county hotel tax, 2 percent for a county rental car tax, and 1 percent for a six-county restaurant tax and county admission tax.

The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission is scheduled this week to select one of four architectural firms to work on the design for a stadium. Candidates include Minneapolis-based Ellerbe Becket; Kansas City-based HOK Sports; 360 Architecture, of Kansas City, and Dallas-based HKS, which worked on the Colts stadium.

Bagley said that once the design for a stadium is in place, a price can be set. Now, the estimate for a Vikings stadium stands at $954 million, but that amount includes a roof, so the facility can be used year-round and attract events such as a Super Bowl or NCAA Final Four. Without a roof - and the Vikings have said they don't need one - it would cost $750 million. (Star Tribune)

GOODELL SAYS VIKINGS STADIUM A PRIORITY
February 5, 2009
Copyright 2009 MediaVentures

Minneapolis, Minn. - Roger Goodell did not make any threats about the Vikings leaving Minnesota if they don't get a new stadium, but the NFL commissioner did express some urgency when asked about the team's situation at the Metrodome.

"I know [owners] Zygi Wilf and Mark Wilf want to continue to have the Minnesota Vikings in Minnesota in a new stadium and I share that," Goodell said during his state of the NFL address in Tampa, Fla. "They have worked very hard to be able to get to that point. They have understood the priorities of the community, they have stood by and they've allowed the baseball stadium and the Gophers [football] stadium to move forward because they recognize those priorities and there are always priorities in the community.

"I think we have to continue to work with the governor and the leadership in that community to understand those priorities and figure out how we get a new stadium built. That is necessary for the Vikings. We all want the Vikings to be there in the long term, successfully. They need a new stadium, that's clear. I think it's recognized by all parties and we need to get down to the difficult business of figuring out how to do it."

The Vikings, who are last in the league in revenue playing in the Metrodome, have a lease that expires after the 2011 season. The team is hoping to get the stadium issue before the Legislature, but that could be a difficult battle considering the state's $4.8 billion budget deficit.

Although the exact financial figures have yet to be set, estimates to date have been that a Vikings stadium would cost about $954 million. Wilf has said the ownership group would contribute $250 million toward the project.

There is talk about an NFL team ending up at a privately financed $800 million stadium in Industry, Calif., that billionaire real estate developer Ed Roski Jr. wants to build. The Vikings, Chargers and Jaguars also have been mentioned as possible candidates.

"Many people view the Vikings as a viable candidate to relocate to the Los Angeles market due to the lack of action on our stadium front," said Lester Bagley, vice president of public affairs and stadium development for the Vikings. "But we are focused on and committed to resolving the issue here in Minnesota." (Star Tribune)

VIKINGS SAY THEY'RE COMMITTED TO MINNESOTA
February 12, 2009
Copyright 2009 MediaVentures

Minneapolis, Minn. - The Minnesota Vikings continue to rebuff feelers from California billionaire Ed Roski Jr., who would like to build a privately financed stadium in the Los Angeles area and lure an NFL team to play there, according to Vikings executive Lester Bagley.

The Vikings want public financing to carry most of the cost to build a new stadium in downtown Minneapolis, at the current site of the Metrodome. Vikings owner Zygi Wilf has said in the past that the ownership group is willing to contribute about $250 million toward a stadium projected to cost about $954 million, although the final tally hasn't been set.

Bagley, Vikings vice president of public affairs/stadium development, continues to emphasize the sense of urgency to build a new stadium, saying a plan is in place that would allow construction to start in August.

"We have 30 games left (including exhibitions) at the Metrodome," Bagley said, referring to the lease that expires after the 2011 season. "The issue isn't what the Wilfs will or won't do. It's that other NFL owners and other potential NFL markets and potential owners will come after this team.

If you let the market work, it's not going to be a favorable outcome for the Twin Cities in terms of the long-term future for the club."

The group led by Roski, a real estate developer, has been in contact with the Vikings since last summer. But the Vikings contend they are focused on a stadium in the Twin Cities.

"They check in periodically," Bagley said. "They want to meet with our ownership. I haven't heard anything in the last few weeks. But we basically said our guys are not ready to talk to them.

We've got issues to resolve here. We've still got time. Our product's ready to go."

Gov. Tim Pawlenty hasn't shown much interest in discussing the stadium project, Bagley said. Said Pawlenty's spokesman, Brian McClung: "The governor recognizes that the Vikings bring a lot of enjoyment to a large number of Minnesotans. He's also said this year we're facing a nearly $5 billion budget deficit. The activity at the legislature is largely focused on balancing the state's budget and trying to position the state for future economic growth."

The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission will address legislators during this current session and emphasize the urgency regarding the Vikings' stadium push, Bagley said, although there's no specific date set. (Star Tribune)

GAMING MAY HELP FUND STADIUM FOR VIKES
March 12, 2009
Copyright 2009 MediaVentures

Minneapolis, Minn. - Two hot-button issues at the State Capitol - gambling and a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings - came together in new legislation that proposed using revenue from a new Twin Cities metro casino to build the much-discussed stadium.

Saying his constituents were adamant about not wanting the Vikings to leave Minnesota, Rep. Tom Hackbarth said his plan would propose a constitutional amendment, asking voters in 2010 whether revenues from a new casino should be used to finance a new stadium. Hackbarth said bonds would be issued to finance the stadium's construction - work would begin almost immediately if the amendment passed in November 2010 - and the Vikings would have to sign at least a 30-year lease and enlist a local government partner to help bring about the project. State legislators, and even the Vikings, were cool to the idea.

"We're not advocating for a gaming situation," said Lester Bagley, a spokesman for the Vikings, who have been searching unsuccessfully for a way to kick-start debate on a stadium at the Legislature.

"[But] if that's what the state leaders want to use," Bagley added, "then let's sit down. At least someone is thinking creatively."

Brian McClung, a spokesman for Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, said the governor "has said that he isn't interested in gaming." In the past, Pawlenty has had mixed reactions to gambling expansion proposals.

The legislation also was not embraced by Bill Lester, executive director of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission. The commission owns the Metrodome, where the Vikings have played for more than a quarter century and where the team has a lease to play through 2011. The commission, which has essentially been advocating for a new stadium, said a new study showed that a stadium would create 13,400 jobs while it was being built and generate $32.2 million in taxes during its first year.

"As far as the gaming, we've never endorsed that as a particular solution," he said. "That would be outside of the purview of our authority." (Star Tribune)