commentaries

Let the anti-stadium whining begin...just get it done somewhere in Minnesota for cripes sakes!

No public welfare to billionaire Zigs and his millionaire players! If they want it, let them pay for it with their millions and billions!!!

Could it be that a stadium really hasn't helped downtown Minneapolis businesses? Sales tax for a restaurant is approaching 15% and Rybak's plan would raise that even higher. You're paying more in sales tax than you would for your server's tip! Why would one go downtown to experience the likes of Champ's when you can go to a suburb and not pay the tax or parking. Most sports fans watch games on T.V. and don't go downtown, ever. Foolish politicians think that building a new stadium will generate tourist dollars. All they do is chase away good restaurants and the people who patronize them. Truly sports stadiums have ruined downtown.

Didn't Mpls pass a law when Target Field was built that any project over 10 million dollars had to have voter approval? If so, the people of Mpls will never vote for it so why even propose it.

I wonder how much longer it will take before the realization takes hold that siting is not the issue. It's all about the money. The stadium pushers accept it as an article of faith that $650 million is going to be willingly handed over by the Legislature and the county and the public will have no say in the matter. I defy them to find more than a half dozen legislators in either the House or Senate who support any of this regardless of the site. About the only reason a site would be worth discussing now is if they stumble across one which has an oil field underneath it that we can tap for funding. As for an MEC, how would one more appointed commission differ from what we thought we were supposed to have now with the MN Sports Facilities Commission? The MSFC headed by Mondale has disintegrated into an out of control collection of cheerleaders for the Ramsey County site and Mondale himself couldn't be more of a toady for the Vikings if he was on their payroll. Most people would expect them to not even be participants in this discussion other than for objective technical guidance. The main problem with all this is that there are those who want to leave this up to politicians but they don't want politics to enter in to any part of the decision which is oxymoronic. Quit trying to make what is nothing more than a ten day a year entertainment venue into some grand urban revitalization project. The best way to do this is the way it's done in most other communities - just like a school or other public project - make your case for a site and a plan and let the public decide this through a referendum. After all, it's their money and they're the ones who are the customers and who will determine whether it's successful, not the legislators or some appointed urban planners.

Come on Zygi and NFL. Put your money where your month is. You wanted to be a big shot and own an NFL team. Time to pony up and stop counting on government to had you tax dollars for your business. Money talks and BS walks.

Too little Minneapolis, and far too late. Where's your funding plan? Where is the Hennepin County Board on this? As the article correctly states, Vikings ownership is in the driver's seat. Arden Hills or move the team. Not saying the Arden Hills site will be funded, but Minneapolis never will. Forgetaboutit!

They are silent because they like having RAMSEY COUNTY taxpayers pay for it. Minneapolis downtown will get "spillover" business at no cost. If they speak up, someone (John Marty?) will surely ask them to pay their "fair share." If the city's rip off of travelers gets too high, some will go elsewhere. Manby lots. The internet makes it so easy. Besides, TV lets you enjoy the good games not only the local ones. Why not watch the best? And do so in the comfort of your home.

The Strib so badly wants it to be Minneapolis or nothing at all. Why? Because it is in their financial interest for a Minneapolis site. Don't believe me? Follow their reporting and editorials regarding Arden Hills vs. Minneapolis. It's blatantly obvious.

Make this go away please! We don't want or need any new stadiums and certainly won't give our hard-earned money to arm-twisting billionaires and their overpaid thug players.