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Vikings stadium hearing to cover financing options

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Dec 7, 2011 at 8:25 am

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Minneapolis city leaders say they want to rebuild a new Vikings stadium at the Metrodome site.

Two Senate panels took testimony Tuesday on funding possibilities for a state share of the stadium. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak says using the Metrodome would cost $215 million cheaper than the team's preferred option of building a $1.1 billion stadium in suburban Ramsey County.

Rybak also offered a $300 million local share from an existing local sales tax. He says the Minneapolis Armory could be converted to a game-day events center.

Supporters of numerous expanded gambling proposals touted their plans as potential funding sources. That includes a new proposal from northwestern Minnesota's White Earth Tribal Nation to build a Twin Cities-area casino and share revenue with the state for stadium funding.