Metrodome Roof Repairs

As the clock winds down on the Minnesota Vikings’ lease at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, lawmakers in the region are pulling out all the stops to keep the team put.

Metropolitan Sports Facilities commissioners recently announced a plan to replace the Metrodome’s Teflon-coated fiberglass inflatable roof, which collapsed under heavy snow Dec. 11.

A replacement could reportedly cost $19 million and likely would only serve the team during what could be its final season at the Metrodome. The Vikings have been in talks with officials for some time about building a $700 million stadium nearby to replace the 30-year-old facility.

“Nothing’s changed in terms of the challenges of [the Dome] in terms of fan amenities and revenues for the team,” Vikings VP Lester Bagley told the Star Tribune. “We need to have a site and a local partner, and Ramsey County has stepped up. They have a viable piece of property, and we like it a lot.”

Ramsey County officials voted to proceed with a study to determine the feasibility of constructing a new stadium in Arden Hills Feb. 15.

While financial plans for such an undertaking weren’t discussed at the meeting, members of the Ramsey County board told the paper they could seek authority from the state legislature to impose a sales tax increase to fund the project.