Deflated Dome Raises Political Questions On Stadium
ST. PAUL (WCCO) -- The Vikings have been trying for years to convince lawmakers to help pay for a new stadium. So far, they haven't been able to make it happen.
So does the collapse of the Metrodome improve the Vikings' chances?
The Dome-busting may be shocking, but it does not create a crisis at the Minnesota State Capitol. Lawmakers already have one: a crashing economy.
When the Metrodome's roof came down in a crash, it was shocking but not enough to push a new stadium down the field. Leaders say the roof is not an emergency -- job loss is the emergency.
"This is four times in 30 years? I mean, you know, if it was your home over the course of 30 years you probably would have had to do some renovation, maybe put a new roof on," said new House Speaker Republican Kurt Zellers.
But even a simple roof patch could get complicated politically.
Even Viking stadium supporters question the wisdom of spending a lot of money fixing the hole if there's going to be a new stadium that will soon be torn down.
"To tear it down you have to take the roof off anyway. So why not just take it off now and let it fill up with snow, and then next fall the Vikings can play there," said DFL Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk.
The Vikings lease runs out next year and the team insists it won't sign another one.
But the disaster at the Dome won't put the Purple at the head of line at the legislature. In fact, the powerful House Speaker sees a silver lining.
"The football game itself: personally I would like to see a Vikings-Packers game outside in December! Really? That'd be a great opportunity. Be like being back at the old Met," said Zellers.
The legislature will convene on Jan. 4. Even if they passed a bill and Gov-Elect Mark Dayton signed it into law, it would still take at least three years to tear the Dome down and build a new stadium.
WCCO-TV's Pat Kessler Reports
