urbanMSP

Still, fun to blame the stadium.

Bridge to nowhere cost overrun $1m

http://www.startribune.com/cost-of-viki ... 403686826/

Minnesota Vikings threaten lawsuit over possible Minnesota United soccer games at U.S. Bank Stadium
The team lost its bid to lure an MLS expansion franchise to a rival group, which is now in talks to have some games at the new stadium.

http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi ... 404268726/

That disconnect seemed to be playing out again last month, when the city council took testimony on the city’s 2017 budget. At the meeting, Ostrow distributed a lengthy letter to the council and Mayor Betsy Hodges written by Carlson and himself urging council members to become more involved in determining whether the deal is being carried out fairly for taxpayers.

“I urge you to do what is in your power to address the growing costs of the Vikings Stadium for Minneapolis taxpayers,” Ostrow told the council at the budget meeting. “The misconception people have in that the stadium debate is over. It isn’t and it’s time for the city to act to stop this.”

Such scolding doesn’t usually prompt action by those on the receiving end of the lecture. But this wasn’t one of the usual times. The council unanimously approved a “staff direction” request by Carlson and Ostrow to take a deeper look at how the city can more closely monitor the costs it's incurring due to the stadium — and even if it should renegotiate the stadium use agreement with the Vikings and the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority.