Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority Meeting Increases Stadium Budget

October 10, 2014 (Minneapolis, MN) - At its monthly board meeting, the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA) gave an update on the construction of the new stadium, as well as announcing additions to the stadium budget, a fan recognition program, and an equity update.

The Minnesota Vikings have added another $517,977 to the stadium project budget. The additions to the budget will fund: additional concession areas at the north and south side of the stadium; an additional elevator; and additional design services for a stadium skyway and the press box.

The stadium project is 23% complete and averages about 620 workers on site daily. $185,000,000 of work has been completed to date. Seventy percent of the main concourse has been poured. Out of the 110,000 cubic yards of concrete that will make up the entire stadium, about half has been poured.

The final piece of the prow was placed on the site on Thursday, October 9, 2014. It weighs 400,000 pounds, is 200 feet long and is 20 feet deep. The largest piece of steel, the roof ridge truss, weighs 750,000 pounds and will be placed in mid-November. Other pieces of the roof will begin being set in early December, exterior framing and enclosure begins next week in the north east corner.

The Authority announced that it will contract with Fund Raisers, Ltd. to provide a fan recognition program and engraved paver program. Fund Raisers have partnered with over 40 professional and collegiate sport teams in fan recognition programs similar to the program contemplated for the new stadium. Details of the program will be available after the contract is finalized.

It was also announced that the MSFA and Mortenson are exceeding the equity goals that were established for the project. The goal for the project is to have 32% of all workforce hours performed by minorities, the project is achieving 39%. The goal for the project for hours worked by women is 6%, the project is achieving 9%. Over 442,088 hours have been worked on the project by minorities and women. The goal for minority owned businesses is 9%, the project is achieving 11%. The goal for women owned business is 11%, the project is achieving 17%. Contracts with minority and women owned businesses total $176,985,079.