It's 'put up or shut up time' for Vikings, Minnesota leaders

An aerial view of the deflated Metrodome in 2010.

I have to admit, it's frustrating being a Vikings fan right now.

Our offensive line can't protect our quarterback. Our quarterback can't throw accurate passes. Our defensive backs can't cover open receivers. And our coaches can't make the right decisions prior to and during the games. It's no wonder why we got beat down by the Chicago Bears 39-10 and we're now sitting 1-5 and fair-weatherdom is running its usual course with this team (and any team with a losing record in Minnesota).

To top it off, we have the worst stadium in the country with thin concourses, obstructed viewing in the nosebleeds throughout the upper deck, and a lack of bathrooms and concession stands.  We were even the laughing stock of the nation in 2010 when the roof of the Metrodome collapsed following a blizzard. It was as sad and embarrassing as the Interstate 35W bridge collapse in 2007, which killed 13 people and injured numerous others. I'm just thankful no one was in the stands or on the field at the time of the collapse.

Despite their record and facility they use, I still love the Vikings and will continue to stick with them even though their ship is sinking. It's a bitter pill to swallow, but at least the team can spend the rest of the year rebuilding and hopefully have a successful season next year.  At least that's what I would like to believe.

An artist rendering of a proposed stadium site in Los Angeles.

The truth of the matter, though, is that the Vikings' ship may be sailing out of Minnesota and elsewhere, like Los Angeles. At least that's what Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton alluded to in the run-up to key meetings this week with Vikings owner Zygi Wilf, NFL leaders, and legislative leaders. The meetings are slated to begin today and continue through Wednesday. The hope from Dayton and the Vikings is that a special session can be called and the ball can get rolling for a new Vikings stadium at a former Army ammunition plant in Arden Hills - about 10 miles north of the Metrodome.

The price tag, as of now, is $1.1 billion and is expected to rise. The Vikings have offered to pitch in $407 million. The remaining $650 million would come from public money that includes $300 million from the state and $350 million in user fees and a half-cent sales tax in Ramsey County. The Vikings lease at the Metrdome, where they have been playing since 1982, expires Feb. 1, 2012. Wilf has said the team will not play there beyond that date.

Currently, the Vikings are the only tenants who use the Metrodome. The Minnesota Twins play at Target Field and the University of Minnesota Gophers' football team plays at TCF Bank Stadium.

But as is the case for public financing of any new building, there are some hurdles. Specifically, there is still no specific state funding plan in place, not enough votes at the State Capitol, and questions about the Arden Hills site. Specifically, a study called the Vikings plan "aggressive" and "unrealistic." House Speaker Kurt Zellers and Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch, Republicans who have opposed any form of public financing for public stadiums, have also said they want a referendum on the stadium in Ramsey County.

There also has not been the greatest relationship between the Vikings and state leaders in their pursuit of a new stadium. Back in 2006, the Minnesota House voted in favor of a new Twins stadium. Less than two weeks later, the Minnesota Senate voted in favor a bill funding new stadiums for the Gophers, Twins, and Vikings. The Legislature, at the time, was controlled by Democrats. Republicans and then-Gov. Tim Pawlenty objected to the Senate's package. As a result, the Vikings stadium project was phased out.

Since then, Target Field and TCF Bank Stadium have opened. The Vikings, however, have continued to play at the Metrodome while pursuing a new stadium. In 2006, the plan was to have the new stadium built in Anoka County under a similar proposal. However, Wilf backed out of the deal after Anoka County officials expressed concern about rising construction costs and more battles with funding at the State Capitol.

An artist rendering of a proposed stadium Minneapolis site in 2010.

It was then believed that Wilf would build on the existing Metrodome site and even shared a couple of artist renderings. A bill was introduced toward the end of the 2010 Legislative session by then-Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, a Democrat from Cook. But the bill was not only too little too late. There were too many questions about the costs, funding, and whether or not it was indoor or outdoor. It was also clear that then-Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a self-proclaimed fiscal conservative, was going to be running for President of the United States and was not interested in associating himself with a bill that had lots of government spending.

In 2010, the Vikings went 6-10 and there was a coaching change. That year also featured a bitter election season that resulted with a Democratic governor and a Republican majority legislature.

During the 2011 Legislative session, Dayton said he wanted "a people's stadium" and hoped to boost it as a jobs bill. He also chose Ted Mondale, the son of former Vice President Walter Mondale, to head the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission. Mondale, for his part, not only worked on fixing the roof of the Metrodome. He had numerous meetings with Wilf and Vikings officials about funding and location.

In April, the Vikings announced they would pursue the Arden Hills site and that it would cost $1.1 billion. Minneapolis officials, however, announced a plan of their own that would build the stadium downtown and include renovation work at the Target Center. Dayton also liked the Minneapolis plan because of the existence of light-rail and other public transportation.

The latest artist rendering of the Arden Hills site.

The Vikings ultimately chose the Arden Hills site and tried making some noise at the State Capitol during the last week of the 2011 legislative session. At the time, Dayton and Republican leaders couldn't agree on a budget that would erase a $5.1 billion deficit. It also didn't help that Republican leaders spent about three weeks debating a gay marriage amendment, which will be included on the ballot in 2012, instead of fixing the budget.

That led to a government shutdown that lasted about two weeks and cost the state millions in lost revenue. During negotiations, the Vikings had hoped their stadium bill would be included as part of a special session. Dayton said it would be difficult to do, but that a fall special session was possible.

It's now Oct. 17, 2011 and there's no stadium bill and questions for both sides.

Are the Vikings dead set on Arden Hills or are they entertaining the idea of another Minneapolis site? The only reason I ask is because they still have an artist rendering of the Minneapolis site on its website. And along with the Metrodome being "outdated", what are other reasons why a new stadium is needed? Could you show the public what is wrong with the Metrodome, because I know I could and would love to.

Vikings fans and even Dayton want the team to stay in Minnesota. Do our legislators want them here? Do legislators believe that the Metrodome is still a long-term viable option for events if the Vikings were to leave? Why or why not? But most importantly, what would it take for them to support any public financing for a new stadium?

And...... we're off!