3 firms bid to build Vikings stadium
By KYLE POTTER, Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Three construction firms submitted bids to build the new Minnesota Vikings stadium by Monday's deadline, including one local company, according to the agency overseeing bidding.
Mortenson Construction of Minneapolis, Hunt Construction Group of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Skanska AB's New York office are in the running to build the $975 million stadium in downtown Minneapolis.
The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority will select a company in the first week of February, authority chairwoman Michele Kelm-Helgen said. Bidding closed Monday morning, and all three firms will interview with the authority this week.
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Team officials and the sports authority hope to have the stadium ready for the 2016 Vikings season.
Cost is among several factors being considered, along with the firms' experience building sports venues and meeting workforce goals. The cost of each company's bid is confidential, Kelm-Helgen said.
"Local participation definitely is one factor we'll be looking at," she added. "It will be weighted along with everything else."
Mortenson built several sports stadiums in the Twin Cities, including Target Field, TCF Bank Stadium, Xcel Energy Center and the Target Center.
Hunt Construction has built many stadiums for professional baseball and football teams, including the homes of the Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals.
Skanska built stadiums for the New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans and the joint home of the New York Giants and New York Jets.
Three other construction firms had expressed interest but did not submit bids.