Minneapolis mayor happy with final stadium deal, predicts City Council approval

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak predicts the compromise Vikings stadium bill headed for a Thursday vote in the state Senate will also win passage in the Minneapolis City Council.

"Every single one of the things we asked for is in here and more," he told Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer on Thursday.

The deal calls for the city to contribute $150 million to construction costs and about $7 million a year in operating costs. Minneapolis required a provision in the deal that would lead to hiring women and minority construction and stadium workers. The legislation also provides money to renovate Target Center.

"We are really proud that we negotiated a tough deal," Rybak said. "We're proud of the leadership of council members, who were the first elected body to stick their neck on the line, and they were rewarded by the state saying and the negotiators saying we respect your leadership and we're going to give you what you asked for."

Right now, seven council members have said they will vote yes, and six say they'll vote no, and Rybak says the council vote will be close, but he expects the plan to go through.

"For the people in Minneapolis, this will continue to be the deal that will allow us to not only have a Vikings stadium but renovate Target Center and take that off our property taxes," he said. "So there's a lot of good stuff in here, and I don't anticipate there will be a change."

Rybak said the stadium deal won't raise property taxes for city residents. It also includes a provision leading to the hiring of women and minority workers, and the city would get a portion of the profit if the team were sold.

If the Legislature and Gov. Mark Dayton sign off on the bill, the Minneapolis City Council will have 30 days to approve it.