Taxpayers League Sues to Stop New St. Paul Stadium

ST. PAUL (AP) -- The Taxpayers League of Minnesota is suing to stop construction of the St. Paul Saints' new ballpark.

The league and Republican activist Greg Copeland contend St. Paul violated competitive bidding laws when the city awarded a contract to Ryan Cos. The lawsuit seeks to halt construction before it begins and force a bidding process.

The city attorney's office is reviewing the lawsuit and had no comment.

The $54 million Saints stadium would be built in downtown St. Paul's Lowertown.

City officials maintain there was no need to bid the project out, because the ballpark is being built under the same legislation that established Target Field, the Minnesota Twins' new home. That legislation created a Minnesota Ballpark Authority, which then awarded a construction contract.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)