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January 30, 2012
Vikings still mulling Arden Hills, add 4th Minneapolis site
Okay, the Great Minneapolis Vikings Stadium Site Search has officially jumped the shark in terms of ridiculous plot points: As if having four problematic stadium plans (five if you count Shakopee) on the table weren't crazy enough, now the Vikings say they're looking at yet another site in Minneapolis. This one, a few blocks away from the Metrodome, would allow the team to keep playing in its current home while a new one was built, rather than moving to the University of Minnesota's new stadium — something the Vikings owners don't want to do both because it doesn't have a roof and it doesn't allow beer sales, though that could change.
One possible reason for the Vikings to be opening this can of worms: Many NFL owners are apparently opposed to the team playing at TCF Bank Stadium, since they wouldn't be happy with either the reduced revenues the Vikings would be bringing in or the not-up-to-the-NFL's-lavish-standards facilities for visiting teams there. SB Nation has even speculated that this could push the Arden Hills site back onto the legislative radar after Gov. Mark Dayton called it "not viable." Is it time for someone to repropose Blaine yet?
Really I think we should build the stadium on the Iron Range. It is a semi-depressed area badly in need of investment and what better way to bring in monies than to make suburbanites commute 2-3 hours for games?
Come on Hibbing Vikings! Or build it in Duluth on the site of the former Morgan Steel plant that closed in the 70s.
In 1900 Duluth looked like it might become one of the pre-eminent cities in the country. Lets bring back those glory days!
Posted by Joshua Northey on January 30, 2012 10:57 AM
Exactly Joshua,
This is an example of the visionary thinking that will pull our country from its present doldrums. In fact, why only 32 NFL teams? For our national well being and prosperity we should aim for the largest 200 cities in the country having a team. Wait! That criteria would disqualify Santa Clara. How about the largest 222 cities in the USA having a team? (Not sure where that leaves Duluth though--is it nice there in the Winter?)
Posted by santa clara jay on January 30, 2012 09:08 PM
It is a little nicer than the rest of Minnesota because the giant lake acts as an insulator. Down by the lake it stays closer to the 40* the lake is always at. Of course in the summer the lake also depresses the ambient temperature.
But no it isn't really nice in th winter. It is extremely dry, snowy and cold, only Canadians and Scandinavians could love it :) .
It is very pretty though.
Posted by Joshua Northey on January 31, 2012 10:53 AM