The following article by Janet Moore was published in the July 2, 2015 on-line edition of the Star Tribune.

Vikings Offer to Pay Half of Pedestrian Bridge Costs

The Met Council will vote on a proposal that caps team’s share of pedestrian bridge at $3.5M.

The Metropolitan Council will consider a new deal to build a $6 million pedestrian bridge near the new Vikings stadium that calls for the team to pay half the cost of the structure.

Under terms of the agreement, the Vikings will pay up to $3.5 million for the bridge near the Downtown East light-rail station, but any costs above $7 million will be the responsibility of the regional planning body. The Met Council will vote on the retooled agreement on Wednesday.

A previous deal called for the Met Council to pay for the entire cost of the bridge, but several members balked, saying the team should pay for the entire project, or at least a part of it.

At a May 27 meeting, the council authorized its staff to continue negotiating with the Vikings and the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA), which is overseeing construction of the $1 billion stadium.

To continue reading, click on this link to the Star Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/vikings-offer-to-pay-half-of-bridge-costs/311528241/