Sen. Reinert Proposes Vikings Stadium In Duluth
DULUTH, Minn. (WCCO) -- The latest city to throw its hat into the ring for a new Vikings stadium? Duluth, Minn.
Sen. Roger Reinert announced plans Thursday for a proposed Vikings stadium in Duluth, by delivering a letter to Gov. Mark Dayton.
Reinert said if the Green Bay Packers can attract ticket holders from more than two hours away (like Madison, Wis. or Milwaukee), then the Vikings can, too.
"Stationing the Vikings in Duluth is economically advantageous and will help further supplant the message that the Vikings represent all of Minnesota and are not exclusive to the metropolitan areas of Minneapolis and St. Paul," Reinert said.
The proposal puts the stadium southwest of the downtown Duluth area on 500 acres of what used to be the U.S. Steel/Atlas Cement Works Site.
The city says they already support a tourism industry of more than 3.5 million tourists, with a direct economic impact ranging from $750 million to $780 million.
The senator proposes the state's portion of stadium funding could be paid through the Sunday Sales legislation, which is currently at the Senate Commerce Committee.
