ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT…

Minnesota Momentum

What is Minnesota Momentum?

Minnesota Momentum is a citizens’ coalition of Minnesota residents, Vikings’ fans, businesses and organizations. Members of this group support the plan to build a new Minnesota Vikings’ stadium and want to see the state legislature resolve the issue in 2009. The group is co-chaired by Hall of Fame Vikings’ coach Bud Grant, Kathi Ackerman of Minnesota DARE and Vikings’ fan representative Larry Spooner. Other Founding Members include John Gagliardi, Saint John University’s head football coach; Ezell Jones, Board Member of the Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce; Jay Kimble, Mayor of Stillwater, MN; Terry Mattson, President of Visit Duluth; and Bill McCarthy, President of the Minneapolis Central Labor Union.

What can I do to help?

The first thing to do is join as a member of Minnesota Momentum. Joining will show that you support the plan to build a new Minnesota Vikings’ stadium and that you want to see our elected state leaders take action to make the plan a reality. You can also help by inviting your friends to join Minnesota Momentum. The most important thing you can do, however, is contact your legislators and ask them to resolve the Vikings’ stadium issue in 2009.

Vikings Stadium Proposal

What is the Vikings’ stadium development proposal?

The Vikings stadium development plan is to use the existing H.H.H. Metrodome site in the Downtown East area of Minneapolis as the site of a multi-purpose, retractable-roof facility.

This economic development proposal includes three critical elements that go beyond hosting Vikings’ home games:

• A retractable-roof stadium that will give Minnesotans a state-of-the-art venue to be used year-round for high school and amateur sports, trade shows, community and cultural events as well as national and international happenings.
• A Winter Garden light rail train station that will serve as a connecting point for the future Central Corridor light rail line and the existing Hiawatha line. This gathering place is integral to the Vikings’ vision of the overall development and will host indoor/outdoor activities for transit riders, neighborhood residents, downtown workers and attendees of stadium events.
• A privately financed redevelopment of the Downtown East area that will include office buildings, residences, shops and restaurants. This exciting project will create jobs, boost the economy and bring a renewed energy to this area of Minneapolis.

What is the Winter Garden piece?

The proposed Winter Garden light rail train station will serve as a connecting point for the future Central Corridor and the existing Hiawatha line. Currently 10% of Vikings’ fans use the LRT to attend games, but creating this public asset will allow 60,000+ riders a day to connect in front of the new stadium. The station will include indoor and outdoor programmable space for art exhibits, shows and Vikings memorabilia on game days.

Who will own the stadium?

The stadium will be publicly owned and operated by a stadium authority similar to the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission (MSFC), the public body that owns and operates the Metrodome. The Vikings will pay rent for their 10 home games each season.

Has renovation of the Metrodome been eliminated?

The MSFC and the Vikings have researched and eliminated renovation as a viable option. Renovation is not a long-term solution for our fans. It does not meet the program requirements of the team or the NFL, it’s too costly and provides minimum benefit for the public investment, and it greatly limits other economic development from taking place in the surrounding neighborhood.