minneapolis

It’s why he worked 15-hour days for weeks preparing Mortenson’s sales pitch to the Vikings and Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, which made the hire. And it’s why Mortenson’s fee was so competitive — $12.5 million, or about 1.7 percent of the construction cost in an industry where the norm is 2 to 3 percent. The firm could earn as much as $15 million if it finishes the work early, but also agreed to take a $5 million per NFL game hit if the stadium isn’t finished on time.

“He was determined,” said his wife, Betsy Wood. “It’s the biggest project Mortenson has done. It’s the biggest project in the state of Minnesota. He wanted it for his kids, he wanted it for his legacy. And he wanted it for the state of Minnesota. They all did.”

Richard Meryhew • 612-673-4425