In all, 12 proposals aimed at a Twins ballpark, 14 focused on a Vikings stadium and a few requested one of each.

The cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis each went after the Twins, and Anoka County pitched for a Vikings stadium in Blaine. Eden Prairie said it would be happy to have one or two stadiums, and Burnsville said one would suffice, but didn't care which. Among them, the five communities offered four possible different homes for the Twins and four for the Vikings.

As for the other proposals, two came from legislators, one came from an economics teacher and another was submitted by an anonymous citizen. State Sen. Ellen Anderson (D-St. Paul) suggested community ownership of the Twins. State Rep. Tom Hackbarth (R-Cedar) proposed a new casino that would pay for all three stadiums.

Pawlenty's stadium screening committee will make its recommendation on Jan. 29. Only the detailed ones will get full scrutiny, according to committee members.

Some plans, such as those from St. Paul, Minneapolis and Anoka County, were highly detailed, 20-page documents, specifying sites and financing. Others were sketchy letters from communities or individuals with big hopes but few building blocks with which to make a half-billion dollar sports palace.

Pawlenty opposes having the state contribute any general tax revenues to pay for a stadium. But he has held out the possibility the state might contribute in other ways.

Instant Insights /

Stadium Fight Under Way in Minnesota

Related Stories

Recommended For You