((HT: KARE-TV))
We all know that the Minnesota Vikings are heading over to the University for the next few seasons while they build the new barn downtown.
But to construct, you have to destruct...
And the beauty of dynamite is that it can do the work for you...
Here's the newest stage of the destruction...
Showing posts with label Metrodome. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Metrodome. Show all posts
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Deflation Of Metrodome Begins
((HT: KARE-TV))
As cool as the idea is, the deflation of the Metrodome isn't a quick deal. But it will happen over time...
A lot of it depends on the winter weather in the Twin Cities. If the winds are light, then it won't take long.
Then, the electricity will be shut off, and the dome will begin to deflate.
It also looks like 15,000 seats have been sold to the public who wanted seats...
Here's the early returns...
As cool as the idea is, the deflation of the Metrodome isn't a quick deal. But it will happen over time...
A lot of it depends on the winter weather in the Twin Cities. If the winds are light, then it won't take long.
Then, the electricity will be shut off, and the dome will begin to deflate.
It also looks like 15,000 seats have been sold to the public who wanted seats...
Here's the early returns...
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Vikes Break Ground On New Stadium
((HT: KSTP-TV))
The Wilf brothers, Twin Cities mayor RT Rybak, and Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton were among a bunch of folks who broke ground on the new Vikings stadium this morning...
You'll see below just how cute everyone was with their golden shovels and viking helmets...
Here's the movement of the shovels...
It's supposed to take 2-and-a-half years to build the new barn on the grounds of the Metrodome...
“What a day,” Zygi Wilf said. “It was always our intention to bring a championship and a stadium” to Minnesota, he said. “We are embarking on our way to both.”
“It’s easy to demagogue against a project like this. But demagoguery doesn’t put people to work,” Governor Dayton said.
The 65,000-seat stadium is set to open for the 2016 season, and the Vikings will play on the Minnesota campus at TCF Bank Stadium for the time in between...
The Wilf brothers, Twin Cities mayor RT Rybak, and Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton were among a bunch of folks who broke ground on the new Vikings stadium this morning...
You'll see below just how cute everyone was with their golden shovels and viking helmets...
Here's the movement of the shovels...
It's supposed to take 2-and-a-half years to build the new barn on the grounds of the Metrodome...
“What a day,” Zygi Wilf said. “It was always our intention to bring a championship and a stadium” to Minnesota, he said. “We are embarking on our way to both.”
“It’s easy to demagogue against a project like this. But demagoguery doesn’t put people to work,” Governor Dayton said.
The 65,000-seat stadium is set to open for the 2016 season, and the Vikings will play on the Minnesota campus at TCF Bank Stadium for the time in between...
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Vikes Reveal New Stadium Design
((HT: KARE-TV))
And the word of the day is "translucent"
The designs are out for the new Minnesota Vikings stadium and they're looking very pretty...
Bryan Trubey of Dallas-based HKS Architects presented images of the $975 million project to a crowd and the look is that of steeped roofs and the idea that, eventhough you're really inside, it looks like you're more outside than you are.
Here's the early reveal...
The Vikes are playing their next two seasons over at the outdoor stadium at the University of Minnesota while ground is broken and the 65,000 seat stadium is completed.
And the word of the day is "translucent"
The designs are out for the new Minnesota Vikings stadium and they're looking very pretty...
Bryan Trubey of Dallas-based HKS Architects presented images of the $975 million project to a crowd and the look is that of steeped roofs and the idea that, eventhough you're really inside, it looks like you're more outside than you are.
Here's the early reveal...
The Vikes are playing their next two seasons over at the outdoor stadium at the University of Minnesota while ground is broken and the 65,000 seat stadium is completed.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Minnesota Governor Asking For Early Calm On Revenue Projections
((HT: KSTP-TV))
Part of the deal with the funding for the new Minnesota Vikings stadium has to do with the gambling revenue element. It has to do with games that are found on iPad-like devices which are, right now, fairly few and far between.
Conventional opinion has to do with the outlets that have to file paperwork and their slowness in doing so- since there's an alleged mountain to fill out in the first place...
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton is already saying that he's not going to change any of his philosophy to get revenue in faster to help pay for the new barn when the session starts...
Here's the early thoughts from Governor Dayton...
The new stadium is set to open for the Vikes in the 2016 season...
Part of the deal with the funding for the new Minnesota Vikings stadium has to do with the gambling revenue element. It has to do with games that are found on iPad-like devices which are, right now, fairly few and far between.
Conventional opinion has to do with the outlets that have to file paperwork and their slowness in doing so- since there's an alleged mountain to fill out in the first place...
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton is already saying that he's not going to change any of his philosophy to get revenue in faster to help pay for the new barn when the session starts...
Here's the early thoughts from Governor Dayton...
The new stadium is set to open for the Vikes in the 2016 season...
Thursday, May 24, 2012
BREAKING: MSP City Council Approves Stadium
((HT: Star-Tribune/Roper))
The Minneapolis City Council voted 7-6 to approve a plan that would fund the facility using redirected sales taxes.
The vote is one of the last hurdles for the project, but the Council still has to ratify their decision during a regularly scheduled meeting Friday morning.
If the vote stays as is, the city will finance its portion of the stadium using a citywide sales tax, downtown restaurant and liquor taxes and a hotel tax. Those taxes work toward paying off the city convention center, but money can be transferred to the new Vikings stadium project when the debt is paid off by 2020.
More when we know more...
The Minneapolis City Council voted 7-6 to approve a plan that would fund the facility using redirected sales taxes.
The vote is one of the last hurdles for the project, but the Council still has to ratify their decision during a regularly scheduled meeting Friday morning.
If the vote stays as is, the city will finance its portion of the stadium using a citywide sales tax, downtown restaurant and liquor taxes and a hotel tax. Those taxes work toward paying off the city convention center, but money can be transferred to the new Vikings stadium project when the debt is paid off by 2020.
More when we know more...
Monday, May 14, 2012
BREAKING: Dayton Signs Vikes Stadium Bill
((HT: KSTP-TV))
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton signed the bill for the new Minnesota Sports Complex at a noon ceremony at the Capitol. Every important muckety-muck who had a hand in it (or thinks they did) was there to see it...
Here's the deal as it stands now...
The state legislation is committing to raising $348 million by allowing electronic pull-tabs and bingo in bars and restaurants. There are also backup funding measures such as a lottery game and luxury suite taxes.
The HQ thinks there's going to need to be more back-up to their back-up...
But that's just us...
Here's the latest before the signing this afternoon...
More when we know more...
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton signed the bill for the new Minnesota Sports Complex at a noon ceremony at the Capitol. Every important muckety-muck who had a hand in it (or thinks they did) was there to see it...
Here's the deal as it stands now...
The state legislation is committing to raising $348 million by allowing electronic pull-tabs and bingo in bars and restaurants. There are also backup funding measures such as a lottery game and luxury suite taxes.
The HQ thinks there's going to need to be more back-up to their back-up...
But that's just us...
Here's the latest before the signing this afternoon...
More when we know more...
Friday, May 11, 2012
Questions Remain For Vikes Stadium
Like... would Vikings owner Zygi Wilf really have moved the team...???
The only question that isn't a question is that the Board of Regents and the University of Minnesota is letting the Vikes play at TCF Stadium on campus while the new barn is being built...
They get close to $3-million a year as part of the deal...
((HT: KSTP-TV))
Here's the look at the real questions: all money related for the building of the barn... and the Wilf brothers are looking at a retractable roof if they can handle the cost...
KARE-TV's John Croman catches up with the Wilfs...
And Channel 11's look at the questions left on the floor...
The only question that isn't a question is that the Board of Regents and the University of Minnesota is letting the Vikes play at TCF Stadium on campus while the new barn is being built...
They get close to $3-million a year as part of the deal...
((HT: KSTP-TV))
Here's the look at the real questions: all money related for the building of the barn... and the Wilf brothers are looking at a retractable roof if they can handle the cost...
KARE-TV's John Croman catches up with the Wilfs...
And Channel 11's look at the questions left on the floor...
Monday, May 7, 2012
DEVELOPING: Minnesota House Passes Vikes Bill
The Minnesota House spent over eight and a half hours debating and changing the Vikings stadium bill (which politicians are wont to do), but went ahead and passed the bill with a 73-58 vote anyway.
One change in the bill, that the Vikings didn't ask for and certainly don't like, is an amendment to increase the Vikings contribution from $427 million to $532 million.
That part of the bill will, probably, go back for discussion as it heads for the state Senate. If that gets fixed, governor Mark Dayton could sign the bill by the end of the week.
The state would share revenue from naming rights for the stadium in the current version instead of letting the Vikes can keep all of the money. The team would also pay any cost overruns.
"It's only fair that the public have part of that contribution," Representative Pat Garofalo told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune's Mark Kaszuba and Rachel E. Stassen-Berger.
The HQ tells the state of Minnesota good luck on that one...
Jeff DeMars saw a bunch of Vikings fans in the capitol rotunda before the vote went down...
((HT: KARE-TV))
One change in the bill, that the Vikings didn't ask for and certainly don't like, is an amendment to increase the Vikings contribution from $427 million to $532 million.
That part of the bill will, probably, go back for discussion as it heads for the state Senate. If that gets fixed, governor Mark Dayton could sign the bill by the end of the week.
The state would share revenue from naming rights for the stadium in the current version instead of letting the Vikes can keep all of the money. The team would also pay any cost overruns.
"It's only fair that the public have part of that contribution," Representative Pat Garofalo told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune's Mark Kaszuba and Rachel E. Stassen-Berger.
The HQ tells the state of Minnesota good luck on that one...
Jeff DeMars saw a bunch of Vikings fans in the capitol rotunda before the vote went down...
((HT: KARE-TV))
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Vikings Stadium Vote Set For Monday
((HT: KSTP-TV))
Minnesota House Speaker Kurt Zellers said the original proposal for a Vikings stadium will be brought to a floor vote in the House on Monday.
It may not make it out alive, but it'll be there...
"The stadium is the governor's top priority this session, his only priority," Zellers said. "Our priorities have been disrespected or dismissed."
Zellers and Majority Leader Dave Senjem think the votes aren't there for the bill to pass, and other state representatives don't think the current financing ideas will work on their own for the new stadium. They may work in concert with other ideas that could be brought to the table... just not on their own...
"Now everyone will be able to hold legislators accountable for that momentous decision," Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton said. "I will continue to do all I can to convince them this is a good deal for Minnesota, the best deal available, and much better than alternative: losing thousands of jobs, losing the Vikings and losing the can-do spirit, which is Minnesota."
Dayton urged all Minnesotans to contact their legislators and urge them to vote "yes" on Monday.
Here's the short version... with an opinion thrown in...
The HQ will leave the podium-thumping to Brother Phil, as he (and you faithful reader) has done throughout this entire ordeal...
We're just waiting for a wagging index finger with the appropriate of hang-dog looking from the NFL after it fails...
Minnesota House Speaker Kurt Zellers said the original proposal for a Vikings stadium will be brought to a floor vote in the House on Monday.
It may not make it out alive, but it'll be there...
"The stadium is the governor's top priority this session, his only priority," Zellers said. "Our priorities have been disrespected or dismissed."
Zellers and Majority Leader Dave Senjem think the votes aren't there for the bill to pass, and other state representatives don't think the current financing ideas will work on their own for the new stadium. They may work in concert with other ideas that could be brought to the table... just not on their own...
"Now everyone will be able to hold legislators accountable for that momentous decision," Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton said. "I will continue to do all I can to convince them this is a good deal for Minnesota, the best deal available, and much better than alternative: losing thousands of jobs, losing the Vikings and losing the can-do spirit, which is Minnesota."
Dayton urged all Minnesotans to contact their legislators and urge them to vote "yes" on Monday.
Here's the short version... with an opinion thrown in...
The HQ will leave the podium-thumping to Brother Phil, as he (and you faithful reader) has done throughout this entire ordeal...
We're just waiting for a wagging index finger with the appropriate of hang-dog looking from the NFL after it fails...
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Minnesota Senate Revives Vikes Stadium Bill... No, Really...???
((HT: KSTP-TV/MyFoxTwinCities/KARE-TV))
Color the HQ shocked...
A Senate committee narrowly approved a public subsidy to help the Vikings build a new football stadium, one day after being visited by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Goodell apparently invoked those two words "Los Angeles" in his behind-the-scenes talks with high government muckety-mucks and Governor Mark Dayton.
Something called "The Senate's Local Government and Elections Committee" passed the bill 8-6 after a four-hour hearing.
Here's the KSTP version...
The split for the costs would be 44-56 with the state paying the majority in the new discussion. The talks have until the end of April to see if everything passes again...
Here's the MyFoxTwinCities version...
John Croman has team coverage for KARE-TV as the Jolly Roger admitted the league would like a franchise in Los Angeles, but the Shield doesn't want it to be the Vikings...
The HQ bets you say that to all the girls...
Color the HQ shocked...
A Senate committee narrowly approved a public subsidy to help the Vikings build a new football stadium, one day after being visited by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Goodell apparently invoked those two words "Los Angeles" in his behind-the-scenes talks with high government muckety-mucks and Governor Mark Dayton.
Something called "The Senate's Local Government and Elections Committee" passed the bill 8-6 after a four-hour hearing.
Here's the KSTP version...
The split for the costs would be 44-56 with the state paying the majority in the new discussion. The talks have until the end of April to see if everything passes again...
Here's the MyFoxTwinCities version...
Roger Goodell: 'Time is Now' for Vikings Stadium: MyFoxTWINCITIES.com
John Croman has team coverage for KARE-TV as the Jolly Roger admitted the league would like a franchise in Los Angeles, but the Shield doesn't want it to be the Vikings...
The HQ bets you say that to all the girls...
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Vikes Stadium Bill Voted Down--Updated
((HT: MyFoxTwinCities))
Which, is always, bad news...
A House committee vote pretty much put the new stadium in the wastebasket...
There were a couple of provisos that killed the bill in committee- one put forth that wanted the citizens to vote on the bill via referendum and the other was the amount of state taxpayer dollars period that was going to the fund- almost $400 million dollars...
Here's the latest...
Which, is always, bad news...
A House committee vote pretty much put the new stadium in the wastebasket...
There were a couple of provisos that killed the bill in committee- one put forth that wanted the citizens to vote on the bill via referendum and the other was the amount of state taxpayer dollars period that was going to the fund- almost $400 million dollars...
Here's the latest...
UPDATE--
Gov. Mark Dayton says the stadium bill isn't dead yet...though it may be on life support. Dayton says that while it certainly may not make it out of the 2012 Legislature, it may be revived in 2013. Though he does say that the state will "Lose the Vikings" if they don't do anything.
Read more from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune RIGHT HERE
Yeah, we suppose the Vikes could be a potential tenant for an L.A stadium should they decide to build one. But we also understand the hesitance of the people of Minnesota. When you are nearly broke and facing record debt, why would you be happy to fork over $300 million more for the football team to not play in their current stadium, but rather to build a new one.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Minneapolis City Council Likes New Stadium Deal... For Now...
((HT: KARE-TV))
There was a lot of concern that the new dome deal for the Minnesota Vikings and the city would just, kinda, die in committee and not make its way out of capitol discussions and/or committees...
For now, there was an interesting twist to all of that talk...
Mayor R.T. Rybak says he has the votes in teh affirmative to make it happen from his end...
Go figure...
Here's their reaction... until it changes...
The current numbers have the bottom line at US$975 million. Minneapolis would contribute $150 million to help build the new facility and another $200 million to help operate it.
But the whole thing may come to a vote since the value, technically, exceeds $10-million. Just depends if you pay attention to Mayor Rybak or opposing council members.
Here's KSTP-TV's version...
And the version from our friends at MyFoxTwinCities...
There was a lot of concern that the new dome deal for the Minnesota Vikings and the city would just, kinda, die in committee and not make its way out of capitol discussions and/or committees...
For now, there was an interesting twist to all of that talk...
Mayor R.T. Rybak says he has the votes in teh affirmative to make it happen from his end...
Go figure...
Here's their reaction... until it changes...
The current numbers have the bottom line at US$975 million. Minneapolis would contribute $150 million to help build the new facility and another $200 million to help operate it.
But the whole thing may come to a vote since the value, technically, exceeds $10-million. Just depends if you pay attention to Mayor Rybak or opposing council members.
Here's KSTP-TV's version...
And the version from our friends at MyFoxTwinCities...
Vikings Stadium Gets Crucial Support of 7 on Minneapolis City Council: MyFoxTWINCITIES.com
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Vikes Stadium Friday Update: Dead Or Not...???
((HT: KSTP-TV))
The phrase that pays seems to be "electronic pull tabs..."
The funding source tied to the whole idea of a new Minnesota Vikings stadium on the current Metrodome grounds...
The legislation being discussed doesn't seem to thrill Minnesota state legislators to the point of passing any kind of a bill. The state has done all of their mandatory business, so there seem to be three items left to pass- two other than the new dome...
Mitch Pittman is keeping an eye on things...
And here's the rest of the docket with Tom Hauser...
The phrase that pays seems to be "electronic pull tabs..."
The funding source tied to the whole idea of a new Minnesota Vikings stadium on the current Metrodome grounds...
The legislation being discussed doesn't seem to thrill Minnesota state legislators to the point of passing any kind of a bill. The state has done all of their mandatory business, so there seem to be three items left to pass- two other than the new dome...
Mitch Pittman is keeping an eye on things...
And here's the rest of the docket with Tom Hauser...
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Vikes Stadium Vote Stalls First Time Around
((HT: KARE-TV))
The first committee test for the new Minnesota Vikings stadium, if it was a pass/fail course, comes up as an incomplete...
There were too many questions surrounding the gambling initiative and the income generated from "what could be"- there are too many questions for a lot of representatives so far...
Take Two will have to come up before Friday or the whole thing collapses all over again...
Hey, they've got that going for them...
John Croman was at the capitol...
The first committee test for the new Minnesota Vikings stadium, if it was a pass/fail course, comes up as an incomplete...
There were too many questions surrounding the gambling initiative and the income generated from "what could be"- there are too many questions for a lot of representatives so far...
Take Two will have to come up before Friday or the whole thing collapses all over again...
Hey, they've got that going for them...
John Croman was at the capitol...
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Looks Like Vikes Staying At Home
((HT: KSTP-TV))
Looks like the Minnesota Vikings are staying at home...
Except when they're not playing at the Metrodome...
The new plans for the stadium to replace the current stadium will have the stadium modeled after the stadium in Indianapolis and the construction will go perpendicular to the current configuration.
The $975-million pricetag will be taken care of like this: 45-percent or so by the Vikings themselves and the remainder coming from gaming dollars and taxes...
Here's the live shot in the dark detailing what may happen...
Of course, if state legislators don't vote for it, none of the above will go down...
Looks like the Minnesota Vikings are staying at home...
Except when they're not playing at the Metrodome...
The new plans for the stadium to replace the current stadium will have the stadium modeled after the stadium in Indianapolis and the construction will go perpendicular to the current configuration.
The $975-million pricetag will be taken care of like this: 45-percent or so by the Vikings themselves and the remainder coming from gaming dollars and taxes...
Here's the live shot in the dark detailing what may happen...
Of course, if state legislators don't vote for it, none of the above will go down...
Friday, February 17, 2012
Vikes Stadium Done By Next Week...???
((HT: KARE-TV))
But just because everyone likes the idea, doesn't mean it will pass the City Council...
And, then, if it goes through the City Council then and only then will it go back to the Capitol for a vote...
The site...??? Actually, close to the original Metrodome site...
Jana Shortal is very cold outside...
The team wants to limit playing at the University of Minnesota as much as possible since logistics will be a pain in the butt to shoehorn an NFL franchise into a college facility...
More when we know more...
But just because everyone likes the idea, doesn't mean it will pass the City Council...
And, then, if it goes through the City Council then and only then will it go back to the Capitol for a vote...
The site...??? Actually, close to the original Metrodome site...
Jana Shortal is very cold outside...
The team wants to limit playing at the University of Minnesota as much as possible since logistics will be a pain in the butt to shoehorn an NFL franchise into a college facility...
More when we know more...
Monday, January 30, 2012
Roof collapse!
((ht: telegraph.tv))
It wasn't quite the Metrodome roof collapse, though it did kind of look like something straight out of a Sy-Fy Network cheesy disaster movie.
This video is from a Slovakian ice rink where there was a youth team sponsored by former NHL player Richard Zednink was practicing when someone noticed the roof began to give way.
Apparently the snow got too heavy or the construction was crap. Either way, the roof, the roof, the roof done collapsed.
Thankfully, nobody was hurt.
It wasn't quite the Metrodome roof collapse, though it did kind of look like something straight out of a Sy-Fy Network cheesy disaster movie.
This video is from a Slovakian ice rink where there was a youth team sponsored by former NHL player Richard Zednink was practicing when someone noticed the roof began to give way.
Apparently the snow got too heavy or the construction was crap. Either way, the roof, the roof, the roof done collapsed.
Thankfully, nobody was hurt.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
MN Governor: Metrodome Or Nothing
((HT: MyFoxTwinCities))
And this can't really be going over well with the Vikings and the Wilf family...
It's the beginning of the General Assembly in Minnesota, and Governor Mark Dayton has told the team-slash-owner that it's either going to be on that site or nowhere else. And that will be discussed this session, without the idea of any other location.
Here's the why on that one...
The Basilica of St. Mary's site would be a team preference as would a billion-dollar proposed development in the Arden Hills suburb. The Vikes are concerned about the lost revenue if they were to play on the U of M campus for the three years it would take to build the new Metrodome.
This ain't over... since the HQ understands the point-of-view of the owners.
Oh, we don't know, remember this...???
((HT: FoxSports))
And this can't really be going over well with the Vikings and the Wilf family...
It's the beginning of the General Assembly in Minnesota, and Governor Mark Dayton has told the team-slash-owner that it's either going to be on that site or nowhere else. And that will be discussed this session, without the idea of any other location.
Here's the why on that one...
Vikings Stadium: Metrodome or Bust This Session: MyFoxTWINCITIES.com
The Basilica of St. Mary's site would be a team preference as would a billion-dollar proposed development in the Arden Hills suburb. The Vikes are concerned about the lost revenue if they were to play on the U of M campus for the three years it would take to build the new Metrodome.
This ain't over... since the HQ understands the point-of-view of the owners.
Oh, we don't know, remember this...???
((HT: FoxSports))
Friday, October 21, 2011
Minnesota to Vikings: Take our Metrodome, please
 |
| Minnesota Vikings |
Sorry, couldn't resist the punchline in the headline here.
To simplify a somewhat complicated story, the state of Minnesota--or at least two of its legislators are proposing the Vikings take over the Metrodome--lock, stock and barrel.
Essentially the team would gain all concession revenue and revenue from other events besides football among other things.
However, the reason the legislators are proposing this: To keep from dishing out some $650 million or so to complete their part of a deal to build a new stadium in the Minneapolis suburbs.
Read more from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune RIGHT HERE
This is kind of humorous, but the legislators were very serious. The state, city and county don't exactly have the funds to do what the Vikings would like. However, if they don't...they run the risk of the team leaving for greener pastures (ie: Los Angeles).
Obviously, this is far from over. Somehow, we suspect the two sides will work out a deal and eventually a new stadium will be built. But it really sucks for the people of the Twin-Cities, who much like every other city--and state, are struggling to pay the bills for the day-to-day services most everyone, including the non-football fans need.
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