Vikings owner speaks against stadium referendum

A proposed football stadium in Arden Hills should not have to face a Ramsey County referendum, because Hennepin County didn't need one to build Target Field, Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf said.

Wilf made his comments following an appearance at a St. Paul Rotary Club meeting, where he thanked community leaders for supporting the proposed $1 billion Arden Hills project.

Stadium opponents want a countywide referendum and this week will ask the Ramsey County Charter Commission to require it, which could block the proposed sales tax increase and derail the project. Wilf said the Vikings should be held to the same standard as the Twins. He also said he's still hoping for a special legislative session this fall.

"We would like to be held on the same playing field as the Twins," Wilf said. "I know when we were here six years ago advocating for a stadium up in the north, Anoka, that the Legislature not only approved without referendum the Twins deal, but also approved a football stadium."

Wilf would not speculate on whether the project could survive a countywide referendum.

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