The concept looks nice. I don't know if adding some electronic gaming machines at existing charitable gambling establishments will be enough pay for it though. It sounds like the state is asking some of these small organizations for unrealistic increases in gambling sales.

I wonder how much revenue could be generated if the state allowed liquor stores to remain open on Sundays? A lot of revenue is currently going to Wisconsin and it seems like such an easy hole to plug.

The plans look amazing, beautiful, awesome, etc. They also look expensive. Is it even possible that hard working people could throw away enough hard-earned money on cardboard crack to pay for it? Disgusting.

Why doesn't our legislature understand the concept of BROKE. As in, our state is BROKE.

We managed to balance our budget last session by using a boat load of one-time federal money, selling some income producing assets (tobacco settlement), and borrowing money from schools, but none of those tricks will be available next year.

If we want to expand gambling or raise sales taxes for something, how about we do it for something important, like hmm, I don't know...Education?

I second David and Brad's sentiments. Plus, this proposal DOESN'T include the cost to taxpayers' for having a light-rail expansion. Light-rail is a waste of taxpayer dollars! It looks beautiful, yes, and Downtown makes MUCH more sense for a site, but WHY aren't the Vikings putting forth the money? Ziggy bought the team only 4 years ago, right? He knew what he was getting. Can the state use the new stadium for events outside of football season, or would the Vikings have control? If the Vikings would control it, I'd say, "Sayonora, don't let the football hit you on the way out." If they want to raise more money, Brad's right that it should go to something important: EDUCATION of our young children!

Point of reference: The new Miami Marlins ballpark (with retractable roof, pyrotechnic scoreboard and huge aquarium) cost $600 million.

In my opinion, the Viking owners and players ca build any stadium they want as long as they pay for it themselves. If a new stadium is such a great deal it should be to their best interests to build it with private money and reap the after tax profits.

Candace, I agree with you. If the S.F. Giants can build their own ballpark at no cost to the taxpayers,so can the Vikes. They already have a sweet deal at the Dome. The new Dome roof has a twenty five year warranty. Any money the State can raise toward a new stadium, should instead go towards infrastructure repairs and debt reduction. Is gambling something the State should be encouraging? Somehow we are proposing to spend three times the money for a Vikes Stadium, that at most will have twelve games per year. Millions less were spent on the Twins Stadium. The Twins play a minimum of eighty-one games per year. How much does this benefit the Star Trib's property values? Does anyone really think that the Vikes would move to L.A. and pay those astronomical Cal taxes? I really enjoy pro sports, but no business that can't be profitable through its own efforts is a Mn government problem. How many millionaires are there in the Vikes organization, as players or management? Do they really need, or deserve our sympathy and charity? Not really.

Just a comment, the Vikings proposal several years ago in Baine was going to be paid for by the Vikings with the exception of $55 million improvement in the highway system. The state or maybe the political powers downtown would have no part of it and had to be involved in funding it. The Arden Hills site make the most sense to finally do something with a property that has been sitting vacant for years. The Arden Hills site would also bring back tailgating, something which is sorely missing from a downtown site, unless you are willing to pay the big bucks for permission to park in a "tailgate lot" The Minnesota government made it their business to get involved and direct where it is going to be built.

The new stadium gives the city a chance to do something amazing at a grand Civic level...The stadium should reflect the city, region, people and team. It should be unique in character, not generic . The stadium should not be a hulking behemoth that casts a giant shadow.... the stadium SHOULD be:

A public place that is used everyday, even not on game day. Think Millenium Park or even Central Park if ou're aiming high.. for grins...look at a series of sketches on this drawing blog: http://j-drawingaday.blogspot.com/2012/06/day-248-drawing-minnesota-vikings-new.html#!/2012/06/day-248-drawing-minnesota-vikings-new.html
just follow the sketches with the tags Minnesorta Vikings Stadium... Great discourse..

Not at the scale that I've sketched, but Conceptually it could work , . The idea that the building has green roof (see the Convention Hall in Vancouver) and that it acts as a public space beyond football or concerts. I hope the designers don't go nostalgic, like Lucas Field or hyper generic futuristic, like the Staples Center... Maybe reflect some local building materials....woods..timbers...

Lower the profile by lowering the play surface below grade. The benefit is a lower profile building that is insulated by the ground, as well as having an accessible roof line...a gentle rolling hill...for bobsleding in the winter, concerts in the summer..

Haven't we heard enough about a Vikings stadium?

Seems like a lot of time to waste on a team that hasn't even won a Super Bowl.

If that were a criteria for discussion , then the discussion prematute. You suggest thinking, planning, designing, and building a stadium Only once a team has won a super bowl is more appropriate..? It takes a long time to build a stadium...