Suburb's Memo To Vikings: 'Why Not Shakopee?'
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- A new city is throwing its name into the mix of places to be the new home of the Minnesota Vikings.
Shakopee announced its plans at a news conference Wednesday to build a stadium for the team at a site just off Highway 101 and Highway 169. The 105-acre site is across from Valleyfair and isn't too far from Canterbury Park.
A 500,000 square foot building is on the site right now, but the building has never been used. The new stadium proposal comes from Mayor Brad Tabke and other city leaders as well as key state lawmakers.
The proposal came as a surprise to just about everyone, including the Vikings. The proposal is the brainchild of Tabke, Shakopee's new mayor, who has been in office for just one week. He said the plan was put together in the last seven days.
Supporters unveiled their proposal, which includes a 75,000 seat stadium with enough room for 22,000 tailgaiters. The 105 acre site is bigger than all the Minneapolis sites but not as large as the Arden Hills site. Supporters point out it is five minutes from Vikings headquarters at Winter park, and that the state has already planned major upgrades to nearby interstates and highways including 494, 169 and Highway 13.
Supporters said the price tab will be $900 million, which is less than the other sites. They said the savings comes because of the existing infrastructure and the lack of ground clean-up needed at Arden Hills. Backers want the Shakopee site to be funded by Racino.
Dangerfield's Restaurant has been just down the road from the site for 21-year owner Gus Kwise, who is enthusiastic about the possibilities.
"It would definitely help the business quite a bit," Kwise said. "A Christmas present all year-round for us."
So were some other patrons.
"I was very excited when I heard about it on the news. We are season ticket-holders," said Kathy Viola.
But others aren't sure and worry about traffic.
"Gut check I am surprised they are thinking about this in this area. Concerned about traffic? Correct, correct and everything that would be required to put it in," said Skip Young.
The Vikings are greeting this proposal with skepticism. Jeff Anderson, the Vikings corporate communications manager, said they have no plans to meet with the Shakopee group, that the Vikings' focus remains on Arden Hills and that the timing of the Shakopee groups announcement is difficult.
Governor Mark Dayton said if the group has their plans in by 5 p.m. Thursday, the due date for all stadium proposals, he will look at it along with all the other proposals.
