ST. PAUL, Minn. - A new plan announced Wednesday by St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman would bring the Minnesota Timberwolves across the river to St. Paul and keep the Vikings in Minneapolis.
Coleman’s plan calls for two-cent per drink sales tax around Minnesota to keep the Vikings in Minneapolis. He says the plan would cover "the full $550 million public investment for a new Vikings stadium.”
“Whether in Mankato, Minnetonka or Mountain Iron, Vikings fans are eating wings and drinking beer while watching their favorite team. Such a statewide asset deserves a statewide commitment,” Coleman said.
The plan would also relieve Minneapolis of its existing debt on Target Center.
“Our region cannot sustain two competing arenas while larger markets use just one. We are the smallest market in the country to host our professional hockey and basketball teams in competing arenas, which is an economic disadvantage we must overcome,” Coleman said. “Using one first-class arena for both the Timberwolves and the Wild will ensure our region remains competitive while cutting the long-term costs of supporting two competing arenas.”
As for the Timberwolves, they would come to St. Paul and share Xcel Energy Center with the Minnesota Wild. Coleman says a $75 million retrofit of the X would accommodate both teams, including a practice facility.
But not so fast -- the Vikings still insist they are going to Arden Hills. But Coleman says the half-cent sales tax hike in the Ramsey County-Arden Hills stadium plan isn't a good deal for his city.
“Current stadium proposals place an undue burden on one part of Minnesota for the benefit of another," Coleman said. "The Ramsey County proposal to place a half-cent sales tax on St. Paul to build a stadium in Arden Hills is not a good deal for St. Paul. The Minneapolis proposal to spend $150 million on the Target Center, while it competes against the Xcel Energy Center, is a bad investment for our region.”
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak met with his St. Paul counterpart, and said it would be a mistake to close Target Center and move the Timberwolves.
“I met with Mayor Coleman to hear his plan and will consider all ideas to keep the Vikings in Minnesota. However, after a decade of investing tax dollars in a civic building and important economic engine, it would be a mistake to close the Target Center and move the Timberwolves," Rybak said. "The sensible solution is to renovate the Target Center.”
http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news ... ay-25-2011
