More Stadium Talk
- wadE
In case you hadn't heard/read,
there is new talk about a Twins stadium.
And would you believe, Old Man Pohlad is willing to kick in $125 million. Maybe he figured out
he couldn't take it all to the grave with him.
At any rate, I was glad to hear some progress was made, although kicking up the sales tax in
the county I live in wasn't what I wanted to hear.
An extra 3 cents on a $20 purchase doesn't seem like a whole lot, but at this point, I'm against
the plan.
Which is really too bad because I've said for years that putting the stadium behind the Target Center
made great sense. It revitalizes a fringe area of downtown, it's within walking distance of Block E
and the rest of the bars and restaurants on 1st Avenue, and the huge municipal parking ramps are right
there as well. Not to mention the Freeway access at the location is about as good is it could get
for downtown Minneapolis.
Additionally the new stadium would provide a lot of jobs (during construction and afterwards).
As much as I can't stand watching baseball in the Metrodome, and how much I think keeping the
Twins in Minneapolis is a good thing, the main reason I'm against the proposal (even more than the
sales tax) is this: The plan as presented so far does not include a roof, but urges the state to
consider paying $100 million for one. The Twins and Hennepin County have said they would build an
open-air stadium if money for a roof was not available.
What? No no no... why should the state pay for a roof for this thing? The state knows the Twins
aren't going anywhere. They'll get the player's income tax revenue no matter where the Twins play;
regardless of how many games are postponed or rescheduled due to weather. No way they kick
in that money, and I don't think they should. This is Pohlad's product. If he wants a quality
place for his product to be showcased, it's up to him to slap the roof on.
But that's just one man's opinion. I'd be happy to see the thing built and enjoy watching
baseball in the great outdoors on a warm July day... but until Pohlad is ready to buy a roof for it,
don't expect to see me in April.
What do you think? Drop us a line at webmaster@simpleprop.com and give us some
feedback. Maybe we'll even run your letters in future Gambits. 'The Daily Gambit' is updated every weekday.
