The Vikings are getting a new team headquarters and practice facility, and they’re being welcomed warmly by their new hosts.
According to Rochelle Olson of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Eagan City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve the team’s plans to build a new headquarters there.
There were a few questions about traffic and signage on buildings, but the locals were clear in their enthusiasm to help the team. The Wilfs, who own the team, have not yet asked for any public money for the project.
“To me this is like having Disney World in Eagan,” city council member Gary Hansen said, lowering his family’s vacation expectations significantly. “I think it’s a visionary plan and obviously it’s going to add substantially to Eagan’s tax base.”
The Vikings are going to build a new facility for the team on 44 acres as part of an eventual 200-acre redevelopment plan. The facility will include a 10,000-seat stadium which can be used for high school games, and likely training camp if they choose to not go to Mankato after 50-plus years there.
The team hopes to move into the facility in March 2018, and could break ground as early as next month.