MINNEAPOLIS—The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority has hired Golden Valley, Minn.-based Mortenson Construction to manage the build of the $975 million new multipurpose stadium for the Minnesota Vikings football team.
The announcement was made at a special meeting of the Authority. Final interviews and negotiations had been conducted with two firms who submitted proposals: Hunt Construction, based in Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Mortenson.
“We received proposals from excellent construction companies, and we were lucky to have the best in the business bid on this project,” says Authority Chairwoman Michele Kelm-Helgen. “In the end, we have a great local team with Mortenson, they wanted this project and offered us very competitive terms. They have built over 100 sports and entertainment venues and are one of the most respected sports facilities builders in the United States.”
The new stadium is the largest construction project in the state of Minnesota. In May 2012, the Minnesota Legislature and the Minneapolis City Council approved funding for the new $975 million multi-purpose stadium to replace the Metrodome. The new stadium is scheduled to open in time for the 2016 NFL season. The authority currently owns the Metrodome, will own and operate the new stadium, and is also responsible for the design and construction of the new stadium. Mortenson estimates that the stadium construction project will take 4.25 million work hours and employ 7,500 workers.