Aerial photo of "Metrodome Next"
On Thursday, December 17th at 9:30 a.m., in a gray basement conference room of the dilapidated Metrodome, the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission (MSFC) unveiled its proposed stadium blueprint, blueprints which cost the Minnesota taxpayer 2.5 million in fees to the architecture firm of HKS.
In addition to those plans, the MSFC along with its consulting team of Conventions, Sports & Leisure International (CSL) provided analysis of “potential future development scenarios”. The long and the short of it, is that it is more cost effective to demolish the existing Metrodome, and re-build on the current site. The numbers are as follows:
Renovated Metrodome cost – 967.4M
New stadium “Metrodome Next” – 870.0M
The new stadium adds 1,500 more seats to bring total capacity to 65,000 (expandable to 7,200 for a Super Bowl). It would also include, in addition to a suite level, a club level that would accommodate 6,500 premium seats–a significant jump of the current 242 club seats available. Suite capacity would get a bump from the current 1,500 to a seating capacity of 2,677. Because of the additional premium/club seating revenue, there is a possibility that suite seating may also see a commensurate drop in price. Total square footage would go from the current 900,000 sq. ft. to 1.6M. (NFL average for modern facilities is 1.5M and Indianapolis/Dallas stadiums are 1.7M /1.9M respectively.)
The model proposed by HKS and Mortenson is a solid value for the money. It’s not a grandiose monument such as the one in Dallas or Indianapolis, but it has some great innovations. First, the building will be constructed with environmental conditions in mind. The stadium would feature a transparent retractable panel roof that would bring in all possible sunlight. The HVAC system would be the largest instance of a “passive/active” heating and cooling system, optimizing the large open environment to push hot air up and out. This is cost effective, and greener, as it requires considerably less energy.
Mechanically speaking, it brings some innovations as well. The surrounding roof construction would be 4th generation PTFE (Teflon fabric)–stronger and more efficient than the existing roof on the dome. The north facing end zone would be all glass, showcasing downtown Minneapolis. The primary support structure “arch” would be constructed in the same way as the new 35W bridge supports.
Inside of potential new home for the Vikings.
This is all great. But it doesn’t mean a thing if the MSFC can’t get the Vikings to come to the table. I have been told directly by Vikings Management that the only way this can happen is if the MSFC repeals the resolution that is an 8M dollar penalty known as the Use Agreement.
At Thursday’s meeting, I had the opportunity to ask the outspoken, and often belligerent, Paul Thatcher both whether the Commission intends to repeal the resolution, and whether he is now interested in trying to move the stadium issue forward in the 2010 legislative session. Rather than respond in any coherent or meaningful way, Mr. Thatcher instead reacted in four-letter epithets not printable here.
I’ll take that as a no.
Is it any wonder the Vikings refuse to work with the commission?
Leading up to the meeting, Mr. Thatcher continued to taunt the Vikings–equating their reaction to the resolution, and their refusal to be extorted, to that of a spoiled 8 year old.
It’s the resolution and its main champion, Paul Thatcher, that is preventing the Vikings from working with the Commission. Minnesota, be wary of a man latching on to his Commission seat. He is afraid of losing his job, and, like a cornered animal, fear often leads to desperate measures.
In the meantime, the Vikings are reviewing options away from the Metrodome site; The MSFC’s resolution of the Vikings $8 million dollar penalty, has cost the Minnesota tax payers $2.5 million for stadium blueprints that may never be used.
Bottom line, we now know that this is no longer a billion dollar stadium: Less the 250 million provided by Zygi Wilf, Minnesota has a 620 million dollar gap that we can be creative in financing along with other state initiatives.
Looking at the $450 million dollars the state has made off of a $50 million dollar investment, I am quite confident we can negotiate creative ways for the stadium to pay for itself. Please contact your legislature to do so.
www.savethevikes.org/huddle-up/
– Cory Merrifield
Founder and author of SavetheVikes.org. Born and raised in MN, Cory has been a lifelong Vikings fan. Season ticket holder, stop by and see him in section 218! cory.merrifield@savethevikes.org 
The MSFC are the ones responsible for our current stadium problems. In addition I believe they were supposed to build a parking facility for the stadium that never got built. Thier lease agreement combined with a sub-par stadium is the reason that the Vikings are 32nd in the league in local revenue. Can’t we just get this done without them?
One other thing. Again we are talking about building a stadium that isn’t “Grandiose”. I submit to you that kind of thinking is why we are where we are right now. That is to say that it makes more sense to build something that will stand the test of time. I don’t know why, as Minnesotans we always want to do everything on the cheap. Our new Gopher stadium is nice, but in comparison with other big programs it is a small venue. If we are to learn from history, then we should look at the Superdome in Louisiana. That stadium not only has stood the test of time but also gets a lot of business BECAUSE it is so nice. The Superdome draws the following:
1. College National Championship every four years.
2. 2 Collegiate bowl games EVERY YEAR. (Sugar Bowl, New Orleans bowl)
3. More Superbowls than any other venue. (they have it again in 2013)
4. The final four (regularly) and the regionals every year
5. The Bayou classic (thanksgiving day college game)
The thing was built in 1975 and anytime they make a bid for a major event, they ALWAYS make the short list.
My father always told me “Son, if your going to do something, do it right or don’t do it.”
If you want to hunt with the big dogs, you have to get off the porch.