Stadium plans

The Big E Jan 13, 2012 19 Comments

Dear Governor Dayton:

I say a) let the Vikings drop dead; or b) build the stadium in Duluth on the US Steel site and make it a stop on the Northern Lights bullet train.

Oh, wait–this was due yesterday, wasn’t it? Whoops. Still, you have to admit either of my ideas are way better than anyone else’s.

Yours truly,
The Big E

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19 Comments

[email protected]

about 13 years ago 

I don't know who you are but I love you.

quirtep

about 13 years ago 

No kidding.  Even if I were into sports, I still don't understand why it has to be something that government needs to be involved with.  The same people that claim "Obamacare" is socialized medicine are eager to make sure we get a new sports stadium, subsidized by communal funds.  Roads?  Nah...  Better to have a stadium!  Arts & culture?  No way - not when that money could be put toward commercial gladiatorism...  I also don't understand why sports scores are reported as "news." Today's news:  A revolution in Egypt, and the Vikings won.  Huh?  That's news?

The Big E

about 13 years ago 

Note that the revenues from the bar cars alone would practically pay for both projects.

quirtep

about 13 years ago 

You mean if there were a train?  Even then, why should those funds go toward a stadium instead of something that actually matters?  Wouldn't a train also be subsidized by public funds?  And, so, shouldn't any revenue go toward the general public?  If the "bar car" creates funds, I would hope they would go toward further improvements in our infrastructure, not a sports stadium that is really nothing more than a commercial enterprise.

ParkPointAl

about 13 years ago 

I'm thinking the Central H.S. site would be perfect for a Vikings stadium.  We could even rebuild the Incline to haul people up there from the train station!

Paul Lundgren

about 13 years ago 

I was actually thinking the Central site would be a good place for a Vikings pre-season training camp, what with the football field already on site. You might recall Mayor Doty tried unsuccessfully to sell the Vikings on Duluth as a training site a few years back.

We could agree as a city to keep quiet about any boat-party scandals on Lake Superior and maybe that would be incentive enough.

The Big E

about 13 years ago 

You will note that Spirit Lake would be perfect for a traditional mass Viking funeral in the event of another season like the one just past.

consuelo

about 13 years ago 

Socialized medicine, not okay. Socialized mindless entertainment, aka circuses ala bread and circuses? Great!

DaVe

about 13 years ago 

I vote for "A." Screw corporate welfare.

adam

about 13 years ago 

Fuck. Subsidized. Sports.

Fuku-soncho

about 13 years ago 

"Northern Lights bullet train" is the most beautiful thing I've heard in a long time. If it existed and had a facebook page, I would like it so hard.

The Big E

about 13 years ago 

See what I did there?

Jadiaz

about 13 years ago 

I'm a staunch conservative and am totally against any state funds being used for a sports stadium of any kind.

in.dog.neato

about 13 years ago 

ditto:

I thought we were broke.

That's why they cut LGA, right?

Our streets are going to shit and Zyggi wants a new house, and he'll stop at nothing to get the rest of us to pay for it.

the word of the day is "Foist."

edgeways

about 13 years ago 

One of the things that fell out of the recent adultery scandal (no one seems to want to call it that) of the Mn Senate Majority leader was serious speculation that there was a lot of ill-will toward Koch's staffer because he wanted to push stadium financing through this session, unlike the majority of the Minnesota GOP who seem to want a stadium, but don't want to vote on it before 2012 elections. I think that is what is causing all the foot dragging on the issue. 

For what it is worth, while I can understand why people want professional football in Minnesota I fall pretty heavily into the unessential, for profit, private, monopolistic services should not receive public funding ... without at least a public referendum.

brian

about 13 years ago

The Big E

about 13 years ago 

Ho ho ho:  
"Reinert Announces Proposal for Viking's Stadium in Duluth"


The City already supports a tourism industry in excess of 3.5 million tourists annually with a direct economic impact ranging from $750-$780 million. Of these, 48% already travel north from the 11 county metro area. Another 29% come from the rest of Minnesota. "Duluth is already a favorite destination for Minnesotans. Adding a Vikings venue will just be one more reason for folks to travel to a favorite destination. Additionally, The Northern Lights Express, a 155-mile passenger rail line connecting Minneapolis to Duluth, can provide great convenience to Vikings fans that prefer to not battle the dense metro traffic during Sundays.


I have to admit that enlisting Demon Rum was a brilliant addition.


The Senator proposes that the state's portion of stadium funding be paid through the passage of his proposed Sunday Sales legislation. SF 0197, which currently rests with the Senate Commerce Committee, is estimated to generate $10.6 million dollars in net revenue each year for states like Minnesota.

forthetime_being

about 13 years ago 

Big E: So good man.

ParkPointAl: What about a zipline to Canada? I thought it could double as a strand of Google Fiber. Visit Duluth! Home to the Longest Zipline in the WORLD! Pack a for a four-hour zipline adventure! Surf the web while you zip! Don't let go.

Paul: Glen Taylor and MSU will fight you for it.

forthetime_being

about 13 years ago 

By the by, what is happening with the US Steel land? Free camping? New State Wayside?

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