Building a “People’s Stadium” to the NFL’s specs involves moving a lot of dirt. The upside of building a stadium where an NFL stadium already exists is that it’s easy to find empty lots to store that dirt on since NFL stadiums don’t spur development.

Tim Nelson reported that the MSFA has found a temporary home for some of the dirt from the construction site. Nelson quotes Ted Mondale:

We worked out a lease with the property next door.

That’s convenient.

Who owns that property?

The Wilf Family.

Wait a second.

We’re leasing land from the Wilf’s?

Yes.

Aren’t taxpayers buying this same piece of land from the Wilf Family for an undisclosed sum to incorporate it into the new stadium?

Yes.

Then why are we leasing it? Why not just buy it now?

Who’s side is Ted Mondale on?