The Vikings "are nearing terms for a donation to the new Commons park in downtown Minneapolis, which is still less than halfway funded," according to Kristen Leigh Painter of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. Vikings Exec VP/Public Affairs & Stadium Development Lester Bagley said that the team, which "helped pay for the land for the park near its new stadium, will also contribute to its construction." Terms of the deal "are likely to be finalized this week." A source said that the team "will contribute" $2M. City officials, who "see the Vikings as one of the primary beneficiaries of the park, have pressured the club in recent months." The park's supporters "envision a 4-acre destination green space near the new U.S. Bank Stadium and the new Wells Fargo towers in Downtown East that would serve multiple purposes, like large public events, recreation for nearby residents and leisure for downtown workers." Green Minneapolis, the public-private conservancy established by the Minneapolis Downtown Council to lead the Commons effort, has gathered $7M "in pledges from the city, Ryan Cos. and Wells Fargo." The "ideal design," drafted by S.F.-based Hargreaves Associates, "will cost" about $22M. The Vikings' new contribution "comes a month after the club agreed to pitch in" $6M of the $9.6M "needed by the Metropolitan Council to build a pedestrian bridge from the stadium to the Downtown East light-rail station" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 12/15).
BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME: Bagley said that the Vikings are "enjoying 'historic highs' in television viewership and are among the NFL's leaders in online media views." He added that 69% of households watching TV in the market "tune into games." He said that that figure "is third-best in the league, with multiple games topping" 70%. Bagley also said that the team is in the league's "top three for video view[s] and among the top five for photo views." Meanwhile, Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority Chair Michele Kelm-Helgen said that U.S. Bank Stadium "is on track for an early August opening" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 12/15).
