The Minnesota Vikings on Saturday withdrew opposition to rooftop signage that Wells Fargo wants to put atop its two new office towers that are planned to be built near the new stadium in the Downtown East project.
In an interview with the Business Journal, Lester Bagley, Vikings’ vice president of public affairs and stadium development, confirmed the settlement with Wells Fargo. “We wanted to take the high road and get this done,” he said.
The Pioneer Press reports the issue had presented an obstacle; the team had opposed a proposed the pair of 56-foot square signs bearing Wells Fargo’s logo because of fears that the oversized signs could reduce the price the team could get when it peddles naming rights. The”skyview graphics” will be visible in aerial shots of the new stadium during televised games.
The Associated Press reported that the agreement between the team and the bank establishes parameters to cap the size of each “skyview graphic” and contains language to make sure that the signs will not conflict with competing properties. The two 17-story office towers to be built by the Ryan Cos. are part of the $400 million development adjacent to the stadium site. The towers represent a roughly $300 million investment on the part of Wells Fargo.
Wells Fargo had indicated that it might back out of the project if it were not allowed to place its signage. Groundbreaking for the stadium, complete with city, state and team leaders gripping show shovels, began earlier in the week.
The Minneapolis City Council still needs to grant a variance to allow for the signage plan.
