vikings/nfl

Careful Pat - someone might mistake you for a conservative

I don't follow the logic with the train argument. We spent 3/4 of a billion dollars on a train most of us will never ride, and you are whining about the difference in cost between Arden Hills and Minneapolis? I am all for trains and stadiums. This is the reason to have a government and taxes- to build infrastructure. "Way out there" is 10 minutes from your favorite diner downtown. No stadium means no job for you. Perhaps that pathetic group camping on 5th would give you a free meal.

It's good to see someone who's clearly a Vikings fan point out the absurdity of spending the public's money to build a 21,000 car parking lot where parking fees would go to Zygi, rather than building a stadium that's accessible via car (street parking, private, and municipal ramps), bus, LRT and North Star train.

But, but, but......what about our precious tailgating. We have lived without it for 30 years, to glorify it as a Minnesota tradition is a farce. For all the logical reasons you've outlined, the stadium belongs somewhere Downtown. I'm sure the State Patrol and the local authorities that you will drive home through from Arden Hills will love hauling overzealous tailgaters over after the game. My prediction is that DWI's and the site of empty cars on the side of the newly built freeways waiting to be towed to the police impound lot will be the new tradition on game days. Skol Vikes!

Great article. Especially the last line.

Good article. As a Vikes fan in Chicago, the Arden Hills plan has never made sense from a planning point of view. Just remember the old adage about purchasing land "Location, location, location." Having the stadium downtown makes total sense. It's a far better site than Arden Hills. Obviously with this latest letter, Wilf is desperate to build in Arden Hills so he can try and make the most money through parking etc... But personally, I think the development of that area is a high risk. It's not part of the rail system, not near the airport, not on the way to anything. So, aside from game days and a few events, why would people go there to eat, sleep, drink or anything else. Hey, if he wants that property so much, why not raise this % to say 600, and keep his remaning input lower for a Mpls-based stadium?

Reusse for Governor! This is the best analysis of the site location argument I have read. End of discussion.... now it is time to convince the legislature.

Zataway hit it on the head.

Pat is right. And why do we have to build a stadium in the burbs so we can tailgate? Let's not turn into the drunken sconnies. Minneapolis is a sexy city and taking them out of downtown would be an epic fail. A downtown Minneapolis location can bring super bowls, final fours, and the big ten championship game.

I pay $45 to park in a Minneapolis owned lot three blocks from the dome and near the StarTribune. The lot and service is terrible. I don't ride rail, ever. One hour traffic jams are common leaving games. Existing infrastructure stinks. Patrick's viewpoint is skewed by his relationship to the StarTribune.