Dayton's Nix on Arden Hills Site For Vikings Stadium Disappoints Roseville Visitors Association Leader

Gov. Mark Dayton's proposal to build a new Minnesota Vikings football stadium just east of the existing Metrodome is "disappointing" for the Roseville hospitality industry, contends the head of the Roseville Visitors Association.

That is among the reaction that continues to trickle in as Ramsey County's proposal to build the stadium, for now, appears to be dead.

Ramsey County's estimated $1.1 billion Arden Hills plan never gained Dayton's support and also encountered a firestorm of protest from many citizens, who oppose a county sales tax and hospitality taxes to fund the project.

But Julie Wearn, executive director of the Roseville Visitors Association, contended there are compelling reasons for the Arden Hills site. The following is her complete statement: 

"From a hospitality standpoint we are disappointed the stadium is not being built in Arden Hills as our hotels, restaurants and shops would certainly benefit  from pre and post-game day business. Plus there is the opportunity to host attendees for other sporting and non-sporting events that the stadium could host.

From an economic point of view, the Arden Hills site has 400 of the 430 acres already remediated to a commercial/industrial standard along with the added benefit of returning 170 acres to the property tax rolls. The location is perfect for a stadium and allows ample room for the beloved tradition of game day tailgating.
 
With the wealth of opportunity in Minneapolis, you could probably turn the Metrodome property over 5 or 6 times before you would find another project so suitable to build on the TCCAP site.
 
The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners and the Arden Hills City Council have voted to support the stadium project. Minneapolis does not have the City Council’s support. The Minneapolis proposal requires the legislature to override a charter amendment approved by 70 percent of Minneapolis voters.
 
Ramsey County Commissioners have put years of effort into their proposal and done the necessary due diligence to come up with a detailed plan for building and financing while it seems Minneapolis still appears to be finalizing every single last detail.
 
Whatever the outcome, I am glad the Vikings are staying in Minnesota but it would have been nice if the best site won."