South Metro Firm Bids for Vikings Stadium Project

A Dakota County construction company could become the lead contractor on the "People's Stadium," the controversial new venue for the Vikings in downtown Minneapolis. 

Lakeville's Loeffler Construction is one of six firms shortlisted for the project, which is expected to run from $675 million to $975 million. Two other Twin Cities companies are contending for the contract, Kraus-Anderson and Mortenson Construction. The project has also attracted three other firms from out of state: Gilbane Building Companies of Rhode Island, Skanska of New Jersey and Hunt Construction of Arizona.

Loeffler, a construction and consulting firm founded five decades ago, is owned by Tammy Loeffler, who also served as the court reporter for the Mdewakanton Sioux judicial system for the past 15 years. The firm's previous civic projects include the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority's Elders Community Center and the expansion of the Chaska Community Center.

The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA) released the list Friday. The MSFA's final selection will be announced Feb. 1. Construction of the stadium is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2013, around Oct. 1, with a completion date set in July of 2016.

The structure will be designed by HKS Inc. of Dallas.