The Minnesota Vikings have moved another step closer to a new headquarters in Eagan … and a dispute over $15 million worth of construction costs for their new stadium is now scheduled for mediation.
Here’s a look at this week’s developments:
Eagan backs land use change
City council members in Eagan gave their support to the Vikings’ plans for building their new headquarters at the former Northwest Airlines campus.
The development plan for nearly 200 acres just south of Interstate 494 includes far more than expanded team offices and practice facilities. But building a hotel, stores, housing, and a conference center needs a change in the land use designation from the Metropolitan Council (from office to mixed use).
The city council voted unanimously to ask the Met Council to make that change.
Last night, City Council supported a Comp Guide Plan change that could begin process of a Vikings move to Eagan. https://t.co/fFQIgkRtpu
— City of Eagan (@CityofEagan) October 7, 2015
The Pioneer Press reports the Met Council typically takes 30 to 60 days to make decisions about land use changes.
While he didn’t use the phrase “Vikings Village,” chief operating officer Kevin Warren did tell Vikings.com the team sees the Eagan site as a “destination development.”
Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf built their fortune primarily through real estate development. Finance & Commerce reports the plans for the Eagan site call for a development in phases spread out over 10 to 15 years.
Mediation set in stadium cost dispute
Meanwhile, a dispute over $15 million in construction costs at the Vikings new Minneapolis stadium is headed to a mediator.
The state agency overseeing the $1 billion project and the lead contractor building U.S. Bank Stadium will meet with a mediator on Nov. 9, MPR News reports.
The disputed costs stem from changes made during construction. If mediation does not lead to a settlement, the case could head to binding arbitration.
MPR says a Minnesota law bans any additional taxpayer money going toward stadium construction.
