SavetheVikes.org founder Cory Merrifield has researched a way to fund a Vikings Stadium that’s as easy as 1-2-3.
Loaded with financial scenario’s, this proposed method of financing a new “People’s Stadium” secures the Vikings in Minnesota for another 30 years.
We are excited to show the details of this potential legislation for the following reasons:
- Creates 25,000 jobs in Minnesota, 10,000 of which would be permanent after stadium is constructed
- Pays for itself while generating $5 million annual profit, contributing $32 million total to State of Minnesota general tax fund until paid off
- NO TAXES! NO GENERAL FUND DOLLARS!
As you progress through the bill, you will notice footnotes that reference our source data in the appendix of the presentation. I welcome any questions or requests for confirmation/source data proving our proposed bill’s viability. Any questions/conversations in written/verbal format will remain confidential.
***Please note: This was designed with the Metrodome site in mind. However the major finance components of this bill could be applied to any location should Legislators see fit.***
Thanks again for considering the people of Minnesota’s wishes to keep the Vikings in Minnesota, and doing so in a fiscally responsible manner!
During the summer of 2011 a group of individuals that helped architect the Target Field stadium for the Twins put together their vision for a Vikings stadium at the Farmers Market site in Minneapolis, turning the Metrodome site into a medical campus and creating a stretch along the Light Rail into “The Corridor”.
This plan by Albersman & Armstrong with assistance from Bruce Lambrecht puts forward a vision for Metropolitan Entertainment Commission that with authority from the Legislature pools the financial resources of existing tax revenues to maintain and create sports, convention and entertainment venues and facilities.
SavetheVikes.org was not involved in the development plan but applaud’s the efforts of Albersman, Armstron and Lambrecht trying to bring forward a solution to keep the Vikings in Minnesota.
Dear people,
I’m a fan of the Vikings all my life, so, that’s 43 years…..I don’t know what will happen, but we have two choices, right? one, is stay, which is good for the history, and the two or second, is go to Canada, which is not so bad, ’cause the real fan go to the Vikings are….. I really want this issues been solved, ’cause I wish see my Vikings win the Superbowl, in their stadium……
Any site in Minneapolis is superior to the one in Arden Hills. Better infrastructure, more options outside the stadium, better access to those outside the region. If Zygi wants his own place he should foot a considerably higher portion of the overall funding. Why should he get first access to the land in Arden Hills? Beggars cannot be choosers!
What I’m most worried about is all the people in Minneapolis who will end up losing their jobs over this. All the workers at the Metrodome, who will lose their jobs, all the bus drivers/transit workers who will lose their jobs because of reduced ridership, all the bars and restaurants which will close due to lack of people downtown, all the nearby hotels and parking lots that will close due to lack of travelers and drivers. The net # of jobs should be considered, not just the new ones.
lets occupy maple grove
Maybe I missed this, but why haven’t we gone to the Best Buy CEO and ask for money to help fund a stadium? We have already exhausted TCF and Target, well next up would be Best Buy or even the more money from the owners of the MOA to help with the new stadium. There have got be other options that they either haven’t tried or just haven’t thought of that would help this deal come to light.
I wish they would make the stadium outdoors. Indoor stadiums can host Super Bowls, but they don’t bring in much money. Houston had a Super Bowl at their new retractable roof stadium, and event boosters said it could bring in over $330 million, but when expenses were taken off, their total profit was $913,000. Since 1982, the Metrodome has brought in $245.6 million in tax revenue. $126.2 million was brought in by the Vikings, and the remaining $11.2 million was mostly brought in by the Twins and the Gophers. A Super Bowl, some concerts, and two final fours brought in very little. At an outdoor stadium, they could host the NHL Winter Classic, which has hosted up to 70,000 fans.
I think the best location in the Twin Cities would be on the Minnesota river at 35W in Burnsville. There is land on both sides of the road that is mostly landfill already and the river is narrow at that spot. 35W is between Cedar and 169, so all three have access now, but access improvement would not be a challenge. 494 is not far away and the there would probably be a good view of downtown from the top of the stadium or a blimp, like there is driving north on 35W. The Airport, MoA are near by and the Minnehaha rail could be extended from the Mall, by adding a couple miles through Bloomington or along the river. I like the Shakopee idea, which made me think of this location, which would have better access and is closer to more people.
A roof for a new stadium costs about $200 million, plus $6 million more to maintain each year than an outdoor stadium. In 2009, the Metrodome generated about $1.6 million in revenue from non-NFL events. If that’s how much money non-NFL events generate each year, it would take over 100 years for the roof to pay for itself. Build an outdoor stadium, one that Minnesota will be proud of for years to come.