Eagan Hopes Vikings Relocation Will Make It A 'Destination City'
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Minnesota Vikings are officially moving from Eden Prairie to Eagan.
The Eagan City Council unanimously approved the Vikings' plans to build a new headquarters and training facility in the Twin Cities suburb.
Eagan boosters say economic development in and around the Vikings facility will make it a "destination city."
"To me, this is like Disney World in Eagan," said City Council Member Gary Hansen.
Top Vikings officials say the new team headquarters will be much more than practice fields and office space.
They are creating an entirely new city living experience.
"Eagan is such a special community," said Vikings Chief Operating Officer Kevin Warren. "The air is clean, the people are great, the topography is beautiful and it's a forward-thinking city. But to be able to build something this unique, this will become an international destination."
The Vikes plan to transform 44 acres of the former Northwest Airlines property into the NFL's premier team headquarters.
On the 160 acres around it: restaurants, hotels, retail space, residential housing and a 10,000-seat stadium for high school football games.
Brent Cory, the head of Eagan's Convention and Visitor's Bureau, says recent city developments include retail centers, a popular shopping mall and future plans for a massive Amazon Delivery Station.
"Eagan is already a great destination," Cory said. "This will make it an exceptional destination. You're going to see a lot more unique restaurants, brew pubs, you're going to see a lot more hotels. It's an exciting time."
The Eagan City Council unanimously approved five separate development agreements for the Vikings that could span decades.
It is a signal of enthusiasm for the kind of transformation few cities ever get.
"I'm very excited about it," said Eagan Mayor Mike Maguire. "One of the opportunities that this entire site brings, really, is an almost blank canvas."
The Vikings are planning to move into their new Eagan headquarters in the summer of 2018.
