Site Navigation
|
Audio
Photos
More from MPR
|
August 12, 2005
 |
| Zygi Wilf has been working closely with officials in Anoka County and the city of Blaine, where he wants to build a "world class venue" for his team and its fans. (MPR Photo/Tim Pugmire) |
Minneapolis, Minn. — Zygi Wilf says he tried to hit the ground running as the new owner of the Minnesota Vikings. The New Jersey real estate developer updated members of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission on just how busy he's been this summer, especially when it comes to a proposal for a new stadium.
Wilf has been working closely with officials in Anoka County and the city of Blaine, where he wants to build a "world class venue" for his team and its fans.
"We're working to develop a site plan including a stadium, team facilities, corporate offices and a broader real estate development. We're looking at the present at financing options. We're partnering with Anoka County. We also believe there's a role for the state of Minnesota in this public-private partnership," according to Wilf.
The size of that state role remains unclear. Wilf says he's willing to pay one third of the cost, which is estimated at more than $600 million for just the stadium. He says he'll be ready with financing specifics this fall, if and when Gov. Pawlenty decides to call a special session to deal with stadium issues.
Wilf is also still working on his vision for the stadium. He's largely rejected earlier concepts for a domed facility. Wilf says the Vikings fans he's talked to are overwhelmingly in favor of an open-air stadium. He says there could still be seating options, for fans who can afford it, to escape the cold winter wind.
"Part of what we're looking at in this environment is to create, besides a suite environment, is to create an indoor club-seat environment for 5,000-7,000 fans. I think that would address a lot of issues for older people who would not be able to be outdoors," he said.
Wilf says an open stadium would provide a better, overall experience for fans and possibly a home-field edge for the team's defense. But that vision of a frozen turf and a return of the Purple People Eaters is giving financial chills to the operators of the Metrodome. They've seen the value of a climate-controlled venue.
Roy Terwilliger, chairman of the Sports Facilities Commission, says the loss of the Vikings to an outdoor stadium could mean the end of the Metrodome and the hundreds of non-sports events it hosts throughout the year.
"About 65-66 percent of the annual income to this facility comes from the Vikings. And so if you take away that two-thirds, you end up without perhaps enough money to keep this in first-class condition so we can have all these other things. So, it becomes problematic if it can continue with that kind of a cutback in the income," he said.
The Vikings are under lease at the Metrodome through 2011. Wilf says the team will honor that commitment. In the meantime, he says he'll continue to look for additional revenue enhancements for the stadium.
One such money-making opportunity is ready to go for the new season. The sports facilities commission recently converted eight existing suites into a new upscale viewing area called the Terrace Suite.
Bill Lester, the commission's executive director, says the new seating will accommodate 124 fans.
"Under the Vikings scenario, you buy tickets for it for the full season and it is sold out for the full season. You have amenities such as parking and it's in the end zone so it takes existing property and elevates the value of that property. It allows the team a revenue stream, and it really enhances the Metrodome," Lester said.
The Vikings are charging $400 per ticket, or $4,000 for the season, to sit in the new Terrace Suite.
|
|