Minneapolis Council Signs Off on Vikes Stadium Plan

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A plan to build a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings has cleared its final hurdle.

The Minneapolis City Council voted 7-6 on Friday to shift a sales tax to help pay for the stadium.

Minneapolis is putting up $150 million for construction of the nearly $1 billion stadium. The city will also pay $159 million in operating costs later.

Friday's result was expected after council members essentially voted on the same question in committee on Thursday.

The new stadium will be built on the site of the Metrodome and is projected to open by 2016.

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