In an article from the Star & Tribune, Arden Hills plan should be a train going nowhere, some good points about the Vikings new stadium are brought up by Patrick Reusse.
The most compelling things from the article include:
- Arden Hills would be the best site for tailgaters and the owner, “…if what we have as our main concerns is Zygi being able to collect $40 per car for thousands of cars on game Sundays, and for Zygi to be able to develop the rest of the large acreage with retail, lodging and offices.”
- Infrastructure and public transportation already exists for a Metrodome or downtown location and the taxpayers are already on the hook for developemnt “…Minnesota taxpayers are now spending $478 million as our share of the Central Corridor train that will run from downtown St. Paul to Target Field. This goes on top of $292 million that we spent on the Hiawatha Line.”
As a tailgater and life-long Vikings fan, who moved to this state because of its pro sports, I want desperately for the team to stay and get new digs and tailgating accommodations. I also want a kick ass tailgate vehicle with a satellite dish, rock’n sound system, 4G computer technology, built in grille, custom purple paint job and regular visits from the Vikings Cheerleaders. There is no way in hell my wife will approve my request for a man cave on wheels, and I am afraid that an Arden Hills Tailgaters Haven surrounding a new Vikings stadium stand the same chance.
Arden Hills would be a great location for a Vikings new stadium. Minnesota would finally have the REAL NFL experience with a huge country parking lot and the ability to build a community around it. What a great idea! Imagine all the fun tailgating, planning, and socializing on game days.
The selfish tailgater in me wants to have the same game day experience that existed at Metropolitan Stadium and occurs today at NFL venues in Green Bay, Kanasas City, Dallas, Foxboro and Glendale. However the pragmatic citizen of Minnesota in me wants to also take advantage of resources that already exist, and have already been invested in.
Who am I kidding? I would be happy to see the Vikings get any new stadium anywhere in the state. After years of fearing that the team will move, a new stadium will bring great relief. If it can be built in Duluth, Lakeville, Arden Hills, Minneapolis or on Harriet Island I won’t care.
I love tailgating, but I also like game days in Minnesota. If it means crowded disparate parking lots governed by varying city ordinances, handcuffed tailgate activities with regulations and private lot policies to get new stadium, I’ll take it. The idea of a downtown stadium with loud light rail train horns blasting and traffic gridlock sounds good to me.
Afterall, there are always roadtrips and fly ins to the other NFL cities where we can experience the real cultures of tailgating in this country.
I would take a downtown stadium, but I would prefer this:
