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Opat: Business wants Vikes west of downtown

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Dec 14, 2011 at 12:19 pm

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The head of the Hennepin County Board says a Vikings stadium on the western edge of downtown Minneapolis is still in play even though the Minneapolis mayor is backing a new stadium on the current Metrodome site.

Board Chairman Mike Opat says downtown businesses prefer to build near the Twins' Target Field, even though Mayor R.T. Rybak says rebuilding on the current site east of downtown would be cheapest.

Opat was a key player in the deal that got Target Field built. He spoke at the unveiling of a 15-year development plan for downtown.

Opat says business interests think more development would happen if a stadium is built on the west side, but he declined to say whether businesses would make a direct financial contribution.