Minnesota United Hits Capitol To Push Stadium Bill

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO/AP) -- Minnesota United soccer players held a team warm-up outside the State Capitol on Monday, urging lawmakers to support their push for a new stadium.

They practiced drills on the Minnesota Senate Building plaza Monday morning. Minnesota United officials say they will build a 20,000 seat stadium at Snelling and Interstate 94 in St. Paul. The team's ownership group has committed to privately finance the $150 million project.

But they still need help from the legislature.

"We need to bring this home in the next couple of weeks. We need to get this done," St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman said. "This is our opportunity, our chance, and we are very excited about it."

The soccer team is looking for a property tax exemption, a sales tax exemption for construction materials and a liquor license.

A continuation of a property tax exemption for the stadium site is included in an omnibus tax bill that's set to get voted on Tuesday by the Senate tax committee. Coleman says Minnesota United "needs certainty."

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