Minnesota Lawmakers Hope To Head Off Dome Demise

ST. PAUL (AP) - The iconic bubble-topped Metrodome could soon be without its main tenant and Minnesota lawmakers want a clear plan for how to preserve the Minneapolis building for other uses.

As Minnesota lawmakers consider the Vikings request for a new stadium, some in the Legislature are seeking a task force to keep the Dome open for high school, collegiate and recreational sports.

The Vikings' lease expires after the coming season. The Dome turns 30 this year.

A bill setting up the task force was due for its first hearing Tuesday in the House Government Operations Committee.

If the bill passes, the task force would convene by September and consider things like user fees to pay for ongoing Dome operations.

The Minnesota Twins fled the Metrodome last year when Target Field opened.