U.S. Bank Stadium is just a few months into its existence.
However, it's already become abundantly clear that it has been a rousing success as the city and state are reaping the economic and civic benefits of a world-class downtown stadium.
That was the message Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority Chair Michele Kelm-Helgen flew to San Diego to crystalize Tuesday morning as a special guest of the Downtown San Diego Partnership. Kelm-Helgen was invited to speak about U.S. Bank Stadium, specifically its recent history and the effect on the city.
There are numerous similarities between downtown Minneapolis and downtown San Diego. As the Downtown San Diego Partnership explained, as our city "continues to prosper, it's important to learn from the experiences of a community that recently invested in a new stadium and to understand the economic impact U.S. Bank Stadium has had, and will have, on the city of Minneapolis."
Similar to what Measure C proposes for San Diego, U.S. Bank Stadium is open year round for all types of events. It is eligible for booking 350 days a year, and houses events both big and small on a daily basis.
On a larger scale, it has already landed Super Bowl LII in 2018, which is expected to add 400 million dollars to the economy. It marks the first time America's unofficial national holiday will be held in Minneapolis since 1992, since the old Metrodome was simply too outdated to accommodate the Super Bowl. Kelm-Helgen then shared how Minnesota's convention and visitor bureau detailed how other events and functions are drawn to U.S. Bank Stadium since the ability to host the Super Bowl proves it can host pretty much any large scale event.
In addition to the Super Bowl, Minneapolis also secured the NCAA Final Four in 2019, which will infuse 200 million dollars into the economy, as well as the X Games in 2017 and 2018, which will bring in 80 million dollars each year.
On a smaller scale, club lounges, the field level and other areas are already booked solid as local businesses and citizens use the space for professional and private occasions.
A yes vote on Measure C would allow for those same large scale events to be held in America's Finest City, as well as countless other events including concerts, professional soccer games and new conventions..
Kelm-Helgen also explained how the project revitalized surrounding neighborhoods. For instance, project construction was completed in partnership with 300 local businesses and more than 8,000 citizens. All in all, 90% of the work done on U.S. Bank Stadium was local.
Perhaps more impressive, there is already 1.4 billion dollars in private economic development occurring within a few blocks of the stadium. The main sources include office towers currently under construction, as well as five residential developments and five hotels.
By all accounts, U.S. Bank Stadium has been a rousing success, bringing to mind the possibilities that Measure C could have for San Diego. If passed, Measure C provides a world-class events center that would revitalize East Village downtown with expanded convention facilities and a modern, multi-use stadium. No general funds will be used to build this new venue as it will be funded by the San Diego Chargers, the NFL and travelers staying in San Diego hotels.
Paid for by Vote Yes on C, with major funding by Chargers Football Company, LLC.
