MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) -
The five firms vying for the new Minnesota Vikings stadium contract made their case to the public on Thursday.
The architectural and engineering firms have submitted plans for the $975 million stadium, but those are still a secret while the stadium authority decides. Instead, the group -- which includes Populous, the designer behind Target Field, TCF Bank Stadium and Xcel Energy Center -- brought their portfolios a long to show the public what they are capable of.
"We love doing buildings, but we love even more watching fans enjoy our buildings," Earl Sante, the architect behind Target Field, told FOX 9 News.
The firms showed off their resumes and past projects at the Metrodome on Thursday, but the final project may not look anything like the submitted concepts.
"What we've told them is: We're not going to be suckers for a pretty picture," Ted Mondale told FOX 9 News. "We're really looking for their qualifications, how they operate."
That means the firms are trying to show their creativity, experience, flexibility and -- most importantly -- their ability to work on schedule and under budget.
"We are the belle of the ball and we're going to take full advantage of that so the taxpayers of Minnesota get the best deal possible," Mondale said.
Mondale added that the timing couldn't be better, since there is only one other NFL stadium currently under construction. That means most of the main players are available to make a pitch, giving Minnesota's project a true pick of the litter.
That decision is expected to be announced next Friday.
The Vikings hope to break ground next to the Metrodome next summer, and open the new stadium in 2016.
