Dayton non-committal on Arden Hills stadium site

Ramsey County officials met with Gov. Mark Dayton Thursday morning to talk about their plans for a new Vikings stadium in Arden Hills.

The county board approved a purchase offer for 430 acres of Army property that served as an ammunition plant for decades. The county can buy it for little more than the expected cost of cleaning it up. Dayton, though, didn't commit to the site.

"I'm site neutral within Minnesota," Dayton said. "I'm for a site within Minnesota, that's the best people's stadium, that best serves the people of Minnesota and provides the best return for the investment that they would be making."

Minneapolis boosters have offered three possible sites in their city, although the Vikings have said they're not interested. The team is in the final season of its existing Metrodome lease, and has offered more than $400 million to help pay for a new home. So far lawmakers have shown little interest in matching that with any public contribution.