In Minneapolis, Richard Meryhew reports Minneapolis-based Mortenson Construction is "one of two finalists still in the running to oversee construction of the nearly billion-dollar" stadium for the Vikings. The company "survived the first cut this week, along with Hunt Construction, of Scottsdale, Ariz." Hunt is "teaming with another Minneapolis construction firm, Kraus-Anderson, in bidding for the work." Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority Chair Michele Kelm-Helgen said that a third firm that submitted an initial bid, Swedish-based Skanska AB is no longer being "considered for the job" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 2/8).
BIGGER THE BETTER: In Jacksonville, Gene Frenette citing the Jaguars' plan to install video boards measuring nearly 350 feet wide, wrote if the city was to "install the world's largest video board to enhance the game-day experience, that's a different ballgame." That would be a "legitimate attraction for potential season-ticket holders." Frenette: "Financially, outside of a perennial playoff team, putting in state-of-the-art video boards is the most logical game-changer." Because Mayor Alvin Brown has "made sports entertainment a key component of his administration, it's not outlandish to think the city could oblige the Jaguars' goal of having the video boards in place by the 2014 season, maybe sooner" (JACKSONVILLE.com, 2/7).
BLACK & YELLOW GOING GREEN: In Pittsburgh, Mark Belko reported Heinz Field has become the latest facility in the city to be "included in a campaign to cut energy, water and transportation consumption by 50 percent by the year 2030" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 2/5).
