The plan for the Minnesota Vikings' new stadium in Minneapolis is finally and completely approved. On Friday, the Minneapolis city council approved the $975 million plan by a 7-6 vote.
Friday's vote follows a lengthy, contentious debate in the state legislature over the plan and how much each entity involved would pay. It looked DOA when a House committee failed to pass it in April, but a last-minute lobbying trip from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell breathed new life into the effort. The legislature passed a revised plan earlier this month.
The city council vote was the only layer of approval from the city of Minneapolis. The bill signed by the governor included a provision to get around a local law requiring public vote to use revenues for sports facilities. Minneapolis will chip in $150 million toward the construction costs via an extension of taxes that would otherwise go to the convention center.
Minneapolis' total expenses for construction and operations will be around $309 million, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. All told, the ultimate bill for Minneapolis could be approximately $678 million over the life of the deal once interest is factored into the mix.
The new stadium will be built on top of the current Metrodome site. Construction is expected to begin in 2013, and wrap up in time for the team to open the new stadium in 2016.
For more Vikings coverage and discussion, check out Daily Norseman. For more news on the stadium project, visit SB Nation Minnesota.
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