Top aide to lead stadium authority

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton on Thursday picked a trusted aide to oversee construction of a new, $975 million stadium for the Minnesota Vikings, the signature legislative accomplishment of his term so far.

Dayton named deputy chief of staff Michele Kelm-Helgen to lead the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, a five-member panel charged with keeping tabs on a public investment of nearly $500 million. The group will oversee design and construction and operate the 65,000-seat downtown Minneapolis stadium for uses ranging from concerts to high school sports events.

Kelm-Helgen worked on Dayton’s campaign and joined his administration when he took office in January 2011. She was previously lead adviser to former Democratic Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller and has also worked as a partner at a lobbying firm and a director at Control Data Corp.

Tags: sports, vikings, nfl, stadium