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How will this project affect property values? <br /> If Lambeau Field in Green Bay,Wisconsin and Ford Field in Detroit,Michigan are any guide, this <br /> S <br /> project will enhance property values. The Anoka County/Blaine proposal is a multi-faceted development <br /> that would enhance the area and bring needed amenities,including retail,medical,hospitality, and <br /> entertainment,as well as wetland preservation that will include trails and boardwalks. <br /> Aren't stadiums a waste of public money? <br /> The 2001 NCAA Final Four basketball tournament held at the Metrodome brought as much money <br /> into the state in one weekend as the $60 million the Metrodome cost to build. Since 1982,the <br /> Metrodome has contributed hundreds of millions of dollars to the state's economy. <br /> Wouldn't this take money away from education and health care? <br /> Professional sports stadiums add millions of dollars to the state general fund for education, <br /> transportation, health care,and other priorities as a result of income taxes on staff and players salaries, <br /> sales taxes collected at the stadium and at hotels,restaurants, etc., and income and sales taxes collected <br /> from spin-off business activity indirectly related to the stadium. <br /> Why should government pay for any part of a stadium? <br /> Stadiums in Minnesota have typically included a combination of private and public funds. <br /> The proposed Vikings stadium would be much more than just a place for the Vikings to play 10 <br /> games a year. Unlike other corporate buildings, domed stadiums are a community gathering place that <br /> have public value. They are a venue to attract other premier sports and non-sports related events. The <br /> Anoka County/Blaine proposal would create a regional destination location for professional and amateur <br /> sports and tourism. <br /> In addition, the Governor's proposal requires that owners share proportionately with the state and <br /> host community any increase in the value of the franchise resulting from a new stadium,if the team is <br /> sold. <br /> Will the citizens of Anoka County vote on the stadium issue? <br /> The Governor's original proposal allows, but does not require,a host community to conduct a voter <br /> referendum to authorize local taxes. There are no plans to hold a referendum on the issue in Anoka <br /> County. As elected officials, the Anoka County Board and Blaine City Council have passed resolutions <br /> supporting the stadium proposal. <br /> Why is a new stadium needed now? <br /> The Vikings lease with the Metrodome expires in 2011. Even starting now, the process of final site <br /> selection,land acquisition,project design, financing and construction may well take until then. <br /> Other communities are vying for the NFL's pool of money set aside to help fund construction of <br /> new stadiums (called "G-3"). Those funds may not be available to the Vikings if a decision isn't made <br /> this year. <br /> This proposal offers the best opportunity for the state to not only keep the Vikings in Minnesota, <br /> but also create a professional and amateur sports and tourism destination. <br /> Interest rates are at an all-time low, so bonding to pay for the stadium costs less. Construction costs <br /> are increasing so the stadium won't get any cheaper to build later. <br /> • Page 3 <br /> Continuously updated version of this document mailable online at a <br /> www.AnokaCounty.us/stadium 1 1 1MS:A vAM" COUNTY ANo�ca <br /> Wednesday,April 14,2004 <br />