NFL: Alcohol Tax Part of Vikings Stadium Solution?

[cigaretteman]

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman floated a jumbo-sized plan Wednesday that would address Minnesota's stadium dilemma with a new statewide tax of 2 cents per alcoholic drink while keeping the Vikings in Minneapolis and moving pro basketball to St. Paul.
Coleman said his plan would raise $48 million a year for sports facilities. He said a Vikings plan to move to Ramsey County doesn't make sense; his plan would not move the team but send the Timberwolves and the Lynx to St. Paul to share the Xcel Energy Center with the Wild. Target Center in downtown Minneapolis would become a practice facility.
Coleman also would use the per-drink tax at bars and restaurants to build a St. Paul Saints ballpark in Lowertown and upgrade recreation facilities throughout the state.
Coleman called his plan a "regional approach" and said it "gives us a point on the horizon to sail to."
Some leaders involved in the stadium debate expressed intrigue with the global approach and fee. But others, including the Timberwolves and the Vikings, called some of it too late and unacceptable.
"We're going to Arden Hills," Vikings Vice President Lester Bagley said repeatedly.
Gov. Mark Dayton's point person on stadium issues, Ted Mondale, said, "It's a big idea and it's interesting. We obviously have a number of sports facilities in deep trouble."

Coleman: Booze tax may be stadium solution | StarTribune.com

 

[CyFan61]

Just an attempt by Coleman to get something in St. Paul.

The Vikings really want to go to Arden Hills. I think the money will eventually come through and that will happen. Once the state pays for part of that, they'll have no interest in paying for basketball or semi-pro baseball renovations.

 

[3GenClone]

Just an attempt by Coleman to get something in St. Paul.

The Vikings really want to go to Arden Hills. I think the money will eventually come through and that will happen. Once the state pays for part of that, they'll have no interest in paying for basketball or semi-pro baseball renovations.

This.

Vikings ownership wants to be in Arden Hills, the players want to be in Arden Hills, the fans want to be in Arden Hills, and most importantly the NFL wants the Vikings to be in Arden Hills. The guys that do the morning show on KFAN made a good point - it's the Minnesota Vikings, not the Minneapolis/St. Paul Vikings. Any plan to keep the Vikings downtown has limitations in the ability to improve/enhance the facilities, but Arden Hills has the space to accomodate the latest-&-greatest sports facility.

That being said, I do think a tax on alcohol makes a lot of sense to finance the new stadium.

 

[Al_4_State]

This.

Vikings ownership wants to be in Arden Hills, the players want to be in Arden Hills, the fans want to be in Arden Hills, and most importantly the NFL wants the Vikings to be in Arden Hills. The guys that do the morning show on KFAN made a good point - it's the Minnesota Vikings, not the Minneapolis/St. Paul Vikings. Any plan to keep the Vikings downtown has limitations in the ability to improve/enhance the facilities, but Arden Hills has the space to accomodate the latest-&-greatest sports facility.

That being said, I do think a tax on alcohol makes a lot of sense to finance the new stadium.

That's Paul Allen, the Vikings play-by-play man. Hell of a broadcaster and I loved his morning show when I was back home in Northern Iowa for summers in college.

 

[RayShimley]

How about Minnesota joins the 21st Century and sells alcohol on Sundays to help pay for it.