MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) -
After ten years of fits and starts, intense debates and endless questions of "will they move or not," the deal is finally done that will keep the Minnesota Vikings here for generations to come.
The final vote Friday from the Minneapolis City Council, like all stadium votes we've seen, has close and filled with emotion.
Even though they knew they were going to loose, opponents of the Vikings stadium plan fought until the end.
Six council members arguing the plan ignores the city charter, and deserves a vote from the residents. They also say using Convention Center taxes for the stadium and the Target Center will prove to be a big mistake.
But lead by Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak and council president Barb Johnson, the seven member majority held strong, arguing a billion dollar investment will help downtown, create construction and hospitality jobs and fix the finances and appearance of Target Center.
Five weeks ago, with the stadium effort on life support, NFL commissioner Roger Goddell paid a visit to the Capitol, stressing the need for a solution now – and not later.
From then on, thing moved fast, with the plan winning slim majorities in committee hearings, followed by slim majorities on the House and Senate floors, to a bill signing from the governor.
And then finally today, the Minneapolis City Council approved the plan by a vote of 7 to 6, yet again a narrow victory.
After the vote, fans gathered in Mayor Rybak's office to celebrate with cheers, hugs and even a swig of Grain Belt out of a Viking horn.
A moment of joy and relief for the fans, the team and for the mayor who goes how a winner after a bruising battle.
