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February 10, 2011
Minnesota stadium chief proposes new stadium agency
My radio pal Ted Mondale, the chair of Minnesota's Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, has taken time out to propose a single umbrella agency to oversee the state's multiple stadiums and arenas, saying it would be more efficient and help reduce the ability of teams to play cities off against each other. "I think there's a pretty broad consensus that we, as a region, have not done well" in stadium negotiations, Mondale told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
It's a noble goal, albeit kind of an odd one for a guy whose main goal is getting yet another stadium built, this one for the Vikings. I'm also slightly skeptical that consolidating stadium and arena operations in a single agency would do much to end the economic war among the cities, given that it's legislators who battle it out over this stuff, not bureaucrats; but hey, anything's worth a shot.
Meanwhile, the Star Tribune reports that engineers will tell the MSFC today that the Metrodome roof can't be repaired and needs a full replacement, at a cost of $18 million. (Though it should probably be taken with a large grain of salt, given that the reporter here is Sid Hartman.) The MSFC has insurance to cover the $18 million cost, and if they start now there should be time to finish the work before the NFL preseason begins — ha ha ha ha — in August, so not much to worry about here, really, though I'm sure that won't stop some people.
Sid Hartman is the least impartial "reporter" in the Twin Cities. He's been pushing the stadium crap harder than anyone. He always fails to mention the conflict of interest he and the Star Tribune has with regards to the land they own which would be part of a new stadium constructed on the Metrodome site.
Posted by Geoff on February 10, 2011 02:02 PM
Neil, the same type of legislation is being proposed in California right now. I won't post the link because my comment will permanently end up in review. See the SF Examiner 'New Statewide Bill would create statewide sports authority'.
A state rep from San Francisco is the bill's sponsor.
Actually, Sid ended up being right about that. Of course, he has the sources, and it didn't take a genius that after being deflated like that, the panels got worse. But so what? I was at the MSFC meeting on Thursday, when they voted to replace the roof and make the insurance claim. Mondale told reporters the new roof would be totally safe and in fact, due to innovations in the past 30 years, the new material will in fact be of a better quality than the previous roof. So, as we have been pointing out at No Vikings Tax, the "peoples stadium" events can still happen at the Dome.
You should also look into Ramsey County Commissioner Tony Bennett, who said he won't let the "enemy of the state" or anyone else get information on how much his Arden Hills stadium study will cost, since that might muck up his subsidy plans. Spread the word: No Vikings Tax!
Posted by Chris David on February 14, 2011 08:57 AM