“It’s just to make sure the governor is aware that, just basically that Minneapolis is ready if Ramsey County should not happen,” Stiles said.
The Vikings have insisted that they want a new stadium at Arden Hills under a plan introduced by Ramsey County commissioners that would raise $350 million through a county sales tax and get another $300 million from the state. The total cost for the stadium is pegged at $1.1 billion.
In May, Rybak proposed an $895 million roofed stadium at the site of the Metrodome, using a 0.15 percent sales tax and expanded hotel, liquor and restaurant taxes in Minneapolis, among other funding mechanisms. The Vikings, under that plan, would pay $400 million.
Stiles said Rybak doesn’t have any new proposal to discuss with Dayton.
“There’s still a strong feeling around here that the Metrodome is a good solution and a viable option, and I think he’s going to talk about that,” Stiles said.
“We’re aware obviously that there are other people around town who are working on other plans,” Stiles added. “None of them have materialized yet, but the Metrodome plan is ready to go, and we know that time is running down.”
Stiles said Rybak hasn’t met with the Vikings recently, but he has had phone conversations with the team. Stiles said Rybak is open to other sites in Minneapolis, if plans should come together.
“We’re open to other sites, but we believe there already is a Minneapolis site ready to go,” Stiles said. “If there is another consensus site that emerges, the mayor has said he is all ears and open to seeing what that looks like.”
