January 5, 2012 (MINNEAPOLIS) Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and City Council President Barbara Johnson today pledged to meet Governor Daytons January 12 deadline for submitting final proposals for a new Vikings stadium in Minneapolis, which offers a three-for-one deal for a Peoples Stadium that is the best choice for Minnesota. They released the following statement:

We appreciate Governor Daytons keeping the ball moving on the stadium issue and we are more than happy to provide him with the latest analysis and planning for a new Vikings Stadium in Minneapolis. We are confident that our plan is viable and that we are the only local partner with a local financing tool.

Our plan provides Minnesota with a three-for-one deal for the same price or less than the cost of the Arden Hills site. With our plan, we can build a real Peoples Stadium in Minneapolis and secure the future of two other significant statewide assets: Target Center and the Convention Center. And for less cost, we can create far more good jobs.

Our proposal would be a true Peoples Stadium: more accessible and affordable for fans than Arden Hills. It makes perfect sense for the Peoples Stadium to be in Minneapolis, the top host city in the upper Midwest and a city of people who already know how to serve the people of Minnesota. Were tried and tested in Minneapolis: we know how to do this, far better than anyone else."

Contact: John Stiles, Communications Director, (612) 673-3665 office, (612) 581-1788 mobile

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