Ted Mondale and two Ramsey County commissioners met on Thursday to discuss putting a Vikings stadium on the old ammunition site in Arden Hills.

Mondale, newly appointed chairman of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, "was doing his due diligence, seeing who's serious," Commissioner Tony Bennett said.

Bennett said he and Commissioner Rafael Ortega "just sold the site."

The meeting was held at Mondale's office at the Metrodome. Vikings representatives did not attend.

No proposal has been brought to the Ramsey County Board, and no commitments -- money or otherwise -- have been made, Bennett said. The only funding source that has been ruled out is property taxes, he said.

The 430-acre site, formerly home of the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant, has long been prized as a redevelopment target. Its size and pollution issues have proven to be formidable obstacles.

If built there, a stadium would likely go on about 250 acres of land near Interstate 35W and Hwy. 10.

Bennett and Ortega, chair of the County Board's facilities committee, say putting a stadium on the site would kick-start development on an eyesore of a property that doesn't contribute to tax rolls. They say that there's plenty of room for other development, such as hotels and shops, and that with a few nearby road upgrades, the site would be easily accessible.

Ramsey County officials and Vikings representatives have been meeting for more than a year to discuss the property. The commissioners have two more meetings with the team scheduled next week.

The Vikings have said they won't renew their lease at the Metrodome after it expires next season. They have said little about other potential locations for a new stadium.

Gov. Mark Dayton and legislative leaders are open to a stadium proposal, but they are pushing to get one within the next few weeks.

Chris Havens • 651-298-1552