The Eagan (Minn.) City Council yesterday "voted emphatically and unanimously" to approve the Vikings’ plans to build a new HQ on 44 acres of land where Northwest Airlines once stood, according to Rochelle Olson of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. Before the 5-0 vote, the council "raised some questions about the amount of signage on the new buildings, as well as potential parking congestion, but it embraced the larger concept of the redevelopment of nearly 200 acres for housing, retail, office space, a hotel and public green space." City Council member Gary Hansen’s comments "evoked the enthusiasm of the council and mayor." He said, “To me this is like having Disney World in Eagan. I think it’s a visionary plan and obviously it’s going to add substantially to Eagan’s tax base." Olson notes the team "could break ground in Eagan as early as next month." Vikings Exec VP/Public Affairs & Stadium Development Lester Bagley said that the "target date for moving" into the new corporate and team HQ is March '18. As of now, the team’s corporate employees "are scattered across three sites." The new home "would pull them together in a single site." The new HQ "will be the first phase of a 15-year mixed-use project expected to include housing, retail and office space connected by greenways, bike paths and anchored by a town square." The team "envisions a 10,000-seat stadium that could be used for 'Skol nights,' Friday night high school games and also summer training camp" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 6/22).
CRAFTING A PLAN: The STAR TRIBUNE's Olson reports beer drinkers at the new U.S. Bank Stadium "will have lots to choose from, including a rotating selection of hometown microbrews." Brewers from the Twin Cities’ Northeast Brewers & Distillers Association "will rotate as vendors at U.S. Bank Stadium, an arrangement designed to serve their smaller production capabilities." MillerCoors "is the official major corporate partner at the stadium" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 6/22).
