Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton is set to have a press conference to potentially discuss his pick for a site for the proposed Minnesota Vikings stadium at 2:00 p.m. central. FOX 9 News is reporting that Dayton has already made his decision and sent a letter to the Vikings owner Zygi Wilf regarding his decision:
A source close to the Minnesota Vikings stadium negotiations confirms Gov. Mark Dayton will choose the Linden Avenue site in downtown Minneapolis as his preferred site.
This is considered an "upset" in regards to which proposals were favored. Most figured that it was down to the site of the Metrodome in Minneapolis and the Arden Hills site in Ramsey County. Many actually figured that Dayton was mostly-for a stadium in Minneapolis, so it's not as big a surprise that the Linden Avenue site, which has already drawn the ire of business owners in the area, not to mention the Basilica of St. Mary.
The Vikings had expressed multiple concerns about a large renovation/rebuilding of the Metrodome, and with Dayton reportedly leaning Minneapolis throughout all of the stadium talks, it makes sense that the Linden Avenue site be the next best thing. While the team prefers the site of Arden Hills, it will most likely not have too much issue with the Linden Avenue site, since it's not the site of the Metrodome.
Official word should be coming around 2:00 p.m. central when Dayton makes himself available.
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