Lester Bagley

6 Collection Items

• Twins Stadium is set to break ground...now what about the Vikings?

  MPR's Brandt Williams reports on construction on the new Minnesota Twins ballpark begins in coming week when crews will begin ripping up asphalt from the old Rapid Park site in downtown Minneapolis. The Twins are scheduled to move in to their new home in 2010, leaving the Metrodome behind.

  May. 15, 2007Save
• Governor Pawlenty's stadium bill passes the House Government Operations Committee

  A plan to build two new stadiums for the Minnesota Twins and Vikings has taken another step forward. The bill advanced fairly easily out of the House Government Operations Committee without the lengthy debate that has often accompanied stadium discussions. The plan remains a work-in-progress, but critics contend it's not receiving the full scrutiny it deserves.

  Mar. 30, 2004Save
• Stadium pitches in the Twin Cities

  MPR’s Michael Khoo reports on stadium discussions in the Twin Cities. More than two dozen cities, counties, and private citizens have pitched their ballpark solutions to Governor Tim Pawlenty's Stadium Screening Committee. The governor solicited outside input to help him decide what role, if any, the state might play in financing new facilities for the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. The plans cover a range of sites sprinkled across the metropolitan area and offer funding options from local taxes to state dollars to casino revenues.

  Jan. 16, 2004Save
• Back to drawing board...It's another Opening Day, but little movement on a stadium

  The Minnesota Twins begin their home season against the Toronto Blue Jays and team officials say they expect a sold-out crowd at the Metrodome. Some Twins boosters had hoped to be laying the groundwork to replace the Dome by this time, but a ballpark bill passed in last session failed to produce a workable solution. So far in 2003, lawmakers have remained relatively mute on stadium legislation.

  Apr. 4, 2003Save
• Stadium bills making progress at Legislature

  MPR's Michael Khoo reports that the ballpark debate has returned to the state Capitol on two fronts and lawmakers seem more receptive to stadium plans than in past years. A Senate committee gave the green light to a proposal for a St. Paul Twins ballpark and House lawmakers introduced legislation to construct a joint Vikings and University of Minnesota football facility. But opposition hasn't faded entirely.

  Feb. 15, 2002Save
• Stadium Task Force informally approves state role in building stadiums

  MPR's Michael Khoo reports that a tri-partisan stadium task force has given its informal endorsement to a state role in building new stadiums for the Minnesota Twins, the Vikings, and the University of Minnesota Gophers. During a meeting in Mankato, the panel opted to support the concept of public financing for a stadium, while steering clear of direct subsidization. Sorting through the details is likely to remain a formidable task.

  Jan. 11, 2002Save