Minnesota Vikings new stadium faces possible delay
By Brian Spaen
The Minnesota Vikings are scheduled to have a brand new stadium in time for the 2016 season, but that won’t happen if the team can’t continue to negotiate with the organization responsible of controlling the new building.
"Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority chairwoman Michele Kelm-Helgen said the team unexpectedly broke off negotiations a day earlier, saying it wanted to wait until a review was completed on its ability to finance its $477 million share of the nearly billion-dollar stadium.Kelm-Helgen said the agreements need to be in place by Sept. 15 to avoid delays. The project timeline calls for breaking ground on the taxpayer-subsidized stadium on Nov. 7 and completing it ahead of the 2016 football season."
It’s a process that won’t be easy to resume. Govenor Mark Dayton isn’t in a position to trust owner Zygi Wilf, who “defrauded a business partner in a past development deal” in New Jersey.
Minneapolis lawyer Peter Carter defends the Wilfs in a statement, blaming the MSFA for a lack of communication so they could provide the organization “comfort” that the separate case wouldn’t “impact their ability to meet their financial obligations.”
The public will owe nearly $500 million in taxes to fund the new stadium, and the AP reports that “millions have already been paid or committed.”
This season will mark the final season at the Metrodome for the Vikings, and the team will play at the University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium beginning in 2014.