In Minneapolis, Nicole Norfleet reports the Vikings on Thursday "officially announced their marketing launch" for Viking Lakes, the 200-acre development they "expect will evolve over the next 15 years into 3.25 million square feet of offices, retail, residential and hospitality complexes" around the team’s new HQ and practice facility in Eagan. The Wilfs "envision more than 950 units of multifamily housing, 1 million square feet of upscale office and medical office space, a conference center and hotel with more than 500 rooms." There are also discussions to "create an incubator for small businesses in science, technology and arts" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 6/23).
BATTERY POWERED: In Atlanta, Trubey, Stafford & Bluestein cited sources as saying that the Hawks and partners are in talks to "take control of parcels around Philips Arena for future development." Word of land negotiations, said to be "advanced but not yet final, come just days after the Atlanta City Council approved a major piece of public financing to overhaul Philips Arena." On Monday, the council "approved a new rental car tax agreement with the city of College Park with part of the proceeds going" to a nearly $200M renovation of the arena. The Hawks are said to have "interest in a mixed-use development similar to the Braves’ project at the new SunTrust Park" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 6/23).
GIVE IT TIME: St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura Jones said that her office is "exploring ways to supplement costly upgrades to the Scottrade Center, using a combination of parking revenue and debt reserves." In St. Louis, Celeste Bott noted earlier this year, aldermen approved the issuing of $64M in bonds to "fund renovations" to the home of the Blues, amid "concerns that city services would suffer if the upgrades were paid for out of general revenue." Jones said that the final numbers are "still being crunched." But she is "confident her office could significantly ease some of the city’s burden for the project" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 6/22).
