MINNEAPOLIS — The Minneapolis City Council is considering design work on downtown park near the Vikings Stadium.

A council committee Wednesday is considering a $1.8-million contract with San Francisco-based Hargreaves Associates to design the 4.2-acre park that would be called The Downtown East Commons.

According to city documents, Hargreaves’ budget puts the park’s total price tag at $18.7 million. The first phase would be done by the Vikings 2016 season and the second before Super Bowl 2018, hosted by Minneapolis.

Only $1.2 million has been raised so far, mostly from the Vikings. But Council Member Jacob Frey says the nonprofit created to manage the space can make a compelling case to potential donors.