"Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf said Wednesday he was "optimistic" that the team could agree on a new stadium at the Metrodome site, although the Vikings at least publicly held out hope that the project could still be built in Ramsey County.

That was a change in tone from last week, when Vikings officials described themselves as "frustrated" over being told by state officials that only the Metrodome was considered a viable site.

With Gov. Mark Dayton trying to shepherd the Vikings and Minneapolis toward a new $918 million stadium at the Metrodome, city officials and key legislators met with Wilf and Dayton for three hours Wednesday. Afterward they announced they had made progress but came to no agreement.

Dayton and others said that as the Legislature starts its short session, time may quickly run out to get a stadium deal through this year.

"We're a lot further than we were a few hours ago," Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said after the meeting ended."