The following are comments by readers of the Minnpost article “Is the Vikings stadium park still public…”, recently posted here.
The original article, with these and further comments, can be viewed at http://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2014/05/vikings-stadium-park-still-public-if-park-board-doesn-t-run-it
Ownership implies control
SUBMITTED BY RAY SCHOCH ON MAY 22, 2014 – 1:13PM.
I’m sure it’s not an absolute rule, and I make no claims to being an attorney, but it seems a reasonable implication.
Ownership not only implies control, that implied control brings with it responsibilities, especially in this context of a park or plaza. If the Park Board owns it, but doesn’t control it, then I think what we have is yet another amenity for the privileged, paid for by those who are not. Let it be a “plaza.” If the “Sports Authority” or some other similar entity owns it, then they’re the ones responsible for maintenance and upkeep, and if it’s not truly a public park because the public can routinely be denied access in favor of the Vikings or the “Sports Authority,” then by all means let the “Sports Authority” take on that responsibility and that cost.
Mr. Wilf his political allies have already fleeced Minneapolis taxpayers enough. I’m not keen on the addition of a “park” over which the Park Board has only limited control, but all the maintenance responsibilities.
Transparent
SUBMITTED BY BILL O’REILLY ON MAY 22, 2014 – 2:38PM.
This maybe the only transparent thing about this whole stadium fiasco. It is plain to me that the ‘public’ park will be nothing of the sort. The instant they mentioned that it might be ‘farmed out’ it became another part of the ‘game day experience’ for Wilf and his merry band. We are dumber than a box of rocks, and I apologize to the rocks.
Sports Authority is the proper owner/operator
SUBMITTED BY CHRIS JOHNSON ON MAY 23, 2014 – 9:11AM.
As usual, Brian Rice’s opinion is completely colored by the politics and finances of what’s best for him, not for the public or the Park Board.
As pointed out by the previous comments, the entire reason for trying to force this creature to be owned by the Park Board is so that the Vikings and the Sports Authority can dump the cost of maintenance onto some other taxpayer-funded entity.
The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA) could certainly handle ownership and maintenance itself. It makes logical sense to call the open space adjacent to the stadium a “sports plaza” or “stadium plaza” as that is exactly what “The Yard” is. The only debate is about who pays for its operation and maintenance. Clearly the Vikings benefit significantly by having the taxpayer pay for its upkeep.
The MSFA is the correct entity to own, operate and maintain “The Yard.” They have the budget ($20 million plus in revenue) and its directly related to their primary function.
It’s truly distressing to see
SUBMITTED BY CONNIE SULLIVAN ON MAY 23, 2014 – 11:44AM.
It’s truly distressing to see Atty. Brian Rice suddenly be the arbiter for assuring that Minneapolis taxpayers pick up the perpetual maintenance tab for a park the Vikings insist on having next to their stadium so they can stage events and deny access to the public.
Now is the time for the Board of Park Commissioners to step up, and do their job. Where are they in this? Where are their voices, not Rice’s?
People have not thought of what legitimate public parks in our city will be denied programs and maintenance, with huge annual monies devoted to maintaining something actually designed by the sports authority, not our Park Board. Lordy lord.
