Metrodome demolition continues, slowly, in the brutal cold

Construction crews continue the demolition of the Metrodome, shown here with the roof partially dismantled, on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority)

Outside work on the new Vikings stadium slowed Thursday because of the cold weather but didn't come to a halt, officials said. What work was done was by machine operators inside heated rigs.

Demolition of the Metrodome is expected to be complete in April, and construction of the new stadium is taking place simultaneously.

Meanwhile, closings on key parcels needed for the stadium project that were scheduled for Thursday and Friday have been postponed indefinitely while the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority waits for proceeds from the sale of public bonds for the project, said MSFA chair Michele Kelm-Helgen. The bond sale is expected in coming days.

Sen. Julie Rosen, chairing a meeting of the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Sports Facilities on Thursday afternoon, said Minnesota Management and Budget, the state agency that sells bonds, told her it expects to get the same interest rate on the bonds in the upcoming sale as it would have during the sale as initially scheduled, Jan. 13-14.

The bond sale was postponed by the filing of a lawsuit, but that suit was dismissed Tuesday by the state Supreme Court, allowing the sale to proceed.

Alex Tittle, equity director for the authority, told lawmakers that since August, the use of minority- and women-owned businesses as well as the hours worked by minority and female workers have exceeded goals.

For the stadium project, the authority has adopted city of Minneapolis equity goals of 11 percent women-owned and 9 percent minority-owned businesses and a 32 percent minority and 6 percent female workforce.

Doug Belden can be reached at 651-228-5136. Follow him at twitter.com/dbeldenpipress and facebook.com/PioneerPressPolitics.

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Metrodome demolition continues, slowly, in the brutal cold