Vikings Withdraw Request To Rename Street That Runs In Front Of U.S. Bank Stadium

The Vikings have withdrawn their application to "rename Chicago Avenue after facing strong backlash from Minneapolis City Hall," according to Kristen Leigh Painter of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. The team had "applied to change the name to Vikings Way for the three blocks running in front" of U.S. Bank Stadium, but the city's planning commission last Monday "unanimously denied the application." Vikings Exec VP/Public Affairs & Stadium Development Lester Bagley said, "We were taken aback by the negative reaction at the city. Frankly, I'm just not sure we have the stomach for the tenor that exists down there [at City Hall] on this particular matter." Bagley said that the street name change "was a part of the plan with Minneapolis for the past three years and had 'never been controversial' until the past few days." Painter noted commissioners "opposing the change did not believe the request met city requirements for renaming streets" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/19).