I thought there was a thread about this sometime ago, but I couldn't find it. With the imminent release of the new design for the Minnesota Twins Stadium (re-scheduled for April 12th) I thought perhaps a new one might be appropriate.

The site is on the northwestern edge of downtown Minneapolis, near Target Center (arena for the Timberwolves).

http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/6949/twinssite01ib6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Apparently this is a hint as to what the design will be. It doesn't look retro!

http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/3696/twinsexterior01qv0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Looks nice so far. Can't wait to see further designs.

Edited: The release date has been re-scheduled for April 12th, as corrected above.

Key meeting today could break impasse on Twins stadium project
BY EMILY GURNON
Pioneer Press
Article Last Updated:04/10/2007 09:32:55 AM CDT

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to meet behind closed doors this morning to discuss legal strategies related to eminent domain proceedings for the new Twins ballpark land.

If the commissioners decide to deposit the $13.35 million needed to do a "quick-take" of the land in the condemnation process, the move would end months of uncertainty about whether the project would actually materialize.

The board is also scheduled to meet publicly at 1:30 p.m. today, at which time they may vote on other aspects of the project.

In addition, the county has set Thursday as the latest date for the Twins' unveiling of the schematic design of the ballpark, an event that has been postponed twice.

Acquisition of the land for the ballpark, and related snags involving the nearby railroad tracks and acquiring parcels from MnDOT, appeared to stall plans for a new stadium.

The landowners, most of them belonging to a group called Land Partners II, wanted more for the roughly 8-acre site than the county said it could pay. But the owners said they did not oppose the condemnation process.

In condemnation, the county may deposit the $13.35 million its appraiser said the land was worth, take possession of the land and then pay extra later if the court decides the land is worth more.

Observers have speculated that the Twins will pay the difference.

The new stadium design will be released today!

An announcement is planned for 11 a.m., followed by a public viewing of the new plan at 12:30 - 6 p.m. at the Hennepin County Government Center, Skyway Level.

http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/min/ballpark/index.jsp

http://www.minnescraper.com/forum/files/3_195.jpg

http://www.minnescraper.com/forum/files/2_544.jpg

http://www.minnescraper.com/forum/files/1_148.jpg

Hopefully there will be more to come!

Very nice!

Is HOK the architect for this project?

Yes, HOK is the lead.

Here are a couple more...

A section through the outfield, adjacent to the new LRT platform:

http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/9556/mntwinspark01ft8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/8772/mntwinspark02rc6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Site plan, showing the entry plaza to be built over I-394, between the existing A & B Ramps:


http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/9528/mntwinspark03oc0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Very nice! I love the plaza built over the interstate to help connect the stadium back to the rest of downtown.

This will definitely give me reason to make the four hour trip more often to catch a few games each year. This should really boast attendance figures…even after the newness wears off.

I really like the design. I hope this signals an end to the "retro ballpark" era. I think the design will hold up well over time, it's classy without trying to be "modern," it fits Minneapolis well. Overall I really like it.

I like the design too, can't wait.

I love the fact that it's basically in the warehouse district. You could not have put in a better place.

This park is going to be one of the best in the country as far as pre and post game "activities" in the immediate vicinity.

The warehouse district is already crazy on summer weekends, I cannot imagine what it's going to be like on a hot summer Friday night when there's a Twins game.

Hell, I'll go to the games for this reason alone:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y41/minneapolitan/Fromleftfield.jpg

While site preparation has been underway for a few weeks now, the "Official" groundbreaking will occur on August 2nd.

An interesting twist is taking shape around the stadium. Hines Interests is proposing a development that will create a new "Dock Street" that will connect the stadium to Washington Avenue (about 4 blocks to the north). The master plan also calls for about 2,000 new housing units around the stadium.

http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/1103/twinsvilleconcept01gv1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The "Big Ideas" surrounding the ballpark include these:

• Traffic calming measures would be implemented on Interstate 94 entrance and exit ramps. Development would occur below the ramps and stretch up to the freeway viaducts.
• Dock Street would run below the viaducts, roughly parallel to 3rd Avenue, and would connect the ballpark to Washington
Avenue. “It feels like an old-town kind of street lined with bars and restaurants and shops,” (project architect) Graham said.
• Designers would create a Minneapolis interpretation of the Spanish steps of Rome, connecting a series of cascading stairs from the upper viaduct level to the lower street level. The stairway would be located in the triangular section shaped by the freeway viaducts, and would allow people to spill down to Dock Street below.
• An intermodal transit hub at the Northstar line would rise above Metro Transit’s current station plans. The structure would include an open, sky-lit canopy at 5th Street and 5th Avenue North.

^^ Damn, I wish Lucas Oil Stadium in Indy could get some nice mid-rises built around it. All we got were a couple of interstate-quality hotels.

This is going to be amazing. I absolutely LOVE the design and the location is downright spectacular. I can't wait to go to Brewers games here instead of the metrodome.

As a Boston fan, I AM SO JEALOUS OF THIS STADIUM!!! I absolutely love it!!! I will definetly considering coming to a twins/sox game here now! :cheers:

More renderings and models here:

http://www.twinsballpark2010.com/DisplayModel.html

and here:

http://www.twinsballpark2010.com/MiningEIS1.html

^Thanks for the links Sirus!

Here's an elevation of the side facing the LRT station on 5th Street. Is the area under 5th street on the right supposed to be the Northstar Commuter Rail level?


http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/4999/ballparkelev5thcolorcg8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Looks like it'll be a uniquely good looking ballpark. Just thought I'd mention that, although this design certainly isn't retro in the usually accepted sense, it clearly does pay homage to architectural elements that go back fifty or more years. Not sure what you'd label them, maybe post-war commercial modern, but here they are: (from around 1949-1960)

......http://www.curbed.com/archives/2005_03_oddjob.jpg
............ http://gambetta.org/moll/laurent/photos/acalanes/PIC00034.jpg
.................. http://www.geocities.com/sandyshamburgers/sandyscolorbuilding.jpg

This is Nice with a capital N. Fantastic ballpark with a great location in the heart of the city. Love those views too!

Ground breaking cancelled today due and the Twins game cancelled until an undetermined date due to the 8 lane I35W Interstate bridge collapsing over the Mississippi River.

Ground breaking cancelled today due and the Twins game cancelled until an undetermined date due to the 8 lane I35W Interstate bridge collapsing over the Mississippi River.

i don't know if this is fair or not: the Twins got blasted due to the unfortunate coincidience of the tragic loss of 135W and the Twins ground breaking. There was no way the pundents could ignore the irony: bridge collapses due to lack of $$$ for intrastructure and public money goes to private neterprise and ball park.

obviously the only differnece between the Twins and that enormous group that includes virtually over half of the MLB franchises is timing. However, the bridge collapse has changed attitudes in the Twn Cities and nationally.

Will the state of Minn revisit its ball park legislation in light of the tragedy or is what has been legislated etched in stone and unbreakable. Don't get me wrong....I am not suggesting the deal should be called off and I'm sure a lot of Minnesotans don't want it cut off. It's a difficult call...the money to protect lives by maintaining the infrastructe should, actually must, be there. On the other hand I don't fault the benefits a new ball park will have on the downtown Mpls area.

btw, I like the new ball park. i just can't seem to categorize it. refreshingly it doesn't have the retrolook: those look like a very modern look behind the foul lines. The outfield, while not retro, looks nicely and assymetirically differentiated...more so than even other new parks and much more effective than some in that respect (such as Arlington for the Rangers). Also, I'd give high marks on how it draws the skyline into the park.

Still, I can't quite peg a given "look" here. Is there one intended and if so, what were the architects going for?

One more and I promise to shut up: may I assume the double decked, Viking inspired, left field stands were lifted straight from the Met?????

^I've been working for years as an architect and as a conceptual artist for architectural proposals. The new Twins Stadium actually does fit into what I've been calling a "Minneapolis esthetic." It's characterized by the use of natural materials (primarily - and specifically - Kasota/Mankato stone usually laid in a random ashlar pattern) combined with a modernist sensibility (incorporating cantilevers, steel construction and lots of glass, often utilized at angles other than 90 degrees). This does not seem to be unusual in the Twin City metro area these days.

The whole idea has to do with the concept of the heavier land - which often symbolizes nature and chaos - supporting the lighter creation - which often symbolises rationality - above.

In another example, the new Central Library by Cesar Pelli also has some of those elements in place.

^I've been working for years as an architect and as a conceptual artist for architectural proposals. The new Twins Stadium actually does fit into what I've been calling a "Minneapolis esthetic." It's characterized by the use of natural materials (primarily - and specifically - Kasota/Mankato stone usually laid in a random ashlar pattern) combined with a modernist sensibility (incorporating cantilevers, steel construction and lots of glass, often utilized at angles other than 90 degrees). This does not seem to be unusual in the Twin City metro area these days.

The whole idea has to do with the concept of the heavier land - which often symbolizes nature and chaos - supporting the lighter creation - which often symbolises rationality - above.

In another example, the new Central Library by Cesar Pelli also has some of those elements in place.

seems like the Twins' park may be grouped with St. Louis, San Diego, Philadelphia: the post retroparks seem to be more interested in making a personal statement of their own as opposed to the unifying element of incorporating the past in quirky ways of the retroparks.

Ground breaking was today. Vikings playing against Dallas also in town. Big day. Then there was also the State Fair.

Well under construction, from the webcam...


http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/3218/ballpark1001tp9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Sweet shot. Making progress.:)

While site preparation has been underway for a few weeks now, the "Official" groundbreaking will occur on August 2nd.

An interesting twist is taking shape around the stadium. Hines Interests is proposing a development that will create a new "Dock Street" that will connect the stadium to Washington Avenue (about 4 blocks to the north). The master plan also calls for about 2,000 new housing units around the stadium.

http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/1103/twinsvilleconcept01gv1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The "Big Ideas" surrounding the ballpark include these:

• Traffic calming measures would be implemented on Interstate 94 entrance and exit ramps. Development would occur below the ramps and stretch up to the freeway viaducts.
• Dock Street would run below the viaducts, roughly parallel to 3rd Avenue, and would connect the ballpark to Washington
Avenue. “It feels like an old-town kind of street lined with bars and restaurants and shops,” (project architect) Graham said.
• Designers would create a Minneapolis interpretation of the Spanish steps of Rome, connecting a series of cascading stairs from the upper viaduct level to the lower street level. The stairway would be located in the triangular section shaped by the freeway viaducts, and would allow people to spill down to Dock Street below.
• An intermodal transit hub at the Northstar line would rise above Metro Transit’s current station plans. The structure would include an open, sky-lit canopy at 5th Street and 5th Avenue North.
Interesting and it should be a strong catalyst for development in a sorely neglected part of central Minneapolis.

One minor nit, the freeway by the site is I-394, not I-94 - unless they are also planning work on I-94 (a few blocks away) in addition to at the stadium site.

And yes, a friend and I went to a Twins game at the HumptyDump in the early 1990s and IMHO, that nickname is quite appropriate for the place. With this and a potential new home for the Vikings, are there any plans in the works for a new home field for the Gophers?

Mike

What will the new stadium be called? Any corporations stepped up yet?

With this and a potential new home for the Vikings, are there any plans in the works for a new home field for the Gophers?

Mike

Gophers got their stadium approved the same time the twins got theirs approved. It is currently under-construction

The Twins have released what appear to be the final renderings as well as shots of a phenomenal (and what must be incredibly expensive) model and short and a video animation for the new park. I kind of liked the original outfield configuration, the new center field seating seems out of context. And the pro shop placement along 7th street was better in the previous renderings as well. But at any rate I'm pretty pumped to see the real thing in a couple years.

http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/min/ballpark/index.jsp

The Minnesota Twins have registered 48 domain names prior to securing naming rights for the new ballpark. Some of them include "landolakesfield.com" and "wheatiesfield.com" Article is here. (http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=6215597&version=5&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1)

Construction is well underway. View the webcam here. (http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/min/ballpark/new_ballpark_webcam_full.jsp)

A photo of the stadium model, by Hannah Foslien:

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/4143/twinsstadiummodel01vg7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The Minnesota Twins have registered 48 domain names prior to securing naming rights for the new ballpark. Some of them include "landolakesfield.com" and "wheatiesfield.com" Article is here. (http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=6215597&version=5&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1)

Construction is well underway. View the webcam here. (http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/min/ballpark/new_ballpark_webcam_full.jsp)

A photo of the stadium model, by Hannah Foslien:

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/4143/twinsstadiummodel01vg7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Got a question, How many heights of walls will the new park have? I cannot tell. Love when the walls change heights and so on. My nephew plays for Tampa, and Hopefully he will be around when they open theirs. Love the new Twins park, really a great addition.

The new Twins Stadium construction update.

The northern plaza:

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/1730/constrtwinsstadium02dk7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The northern plaza, looking back toward Target Center:

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/3444/constrtwinsstadium04am1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The south and north plazas, crossing I-394:

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/7702/constrtwinsstadium05ey6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The field and stands:

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/8871/constrtwinsstadium06rx2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/6443/constrtwinsstadium03sk9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

It's a nice-lookin' stadium, but there's no roof. in COLD minnesota? are you kidding? look for a TON of posponed games in the beginning of the season due to weather. what the hell were the twins organization thinking?

It's a nice-lookin' stadium, but there's no roof. in COLD minnesota? are you kidding? look for a TON of posponed games in the beginning of the season due to weather. what the hell were the twins organization thinking?

Last year, Cleveland started their season having to postpone their first several games because of snow storms. To prevent anymore postponements, they played a whole 3 game series against California in Miller Park in Milwaukee. So yeah, that would be interesting, The Brewers long time revival playing home games in their own Miller Park.

Otherwise, yeah, stadium looks like it'll be a good one. I'm glad they didn't go for that typical ugly red brick outside facade that so many of these new ball parks have used. Also, they're copying what San Diego did with their stadium and building the stadium around a warehouse type building in the left field corner, I like that!

It's a nice-lookin' stadium, but there's no roof. in COLD minnesota? are you kidding? look for a TON of posponed games in the beginning of the season due to weather. what the hell were the twins organization thinking?

No one here seems to be worried. What's cold for you is not so cold for us.:)

Literally...when it hits 40 degrees, especially after a cold winter, there are people on the streets in shorts and tank tops.

I'm not kidding, since I am one of them. I really have no issue with 40-degree weather. To me, it's warm enough to have fun and to have a great party!

This year's late winter was pretty bad - probably as bad as it gets. But few MLB games would have been postponed if the stadium had opened this year. The new stadium field is heated, BTW, just in case of cold/snow snaps early season that other teams cannot handle...

^^ Milwaukee played in County Stadium for decades with little problem, I'm sure the Twins will be fine. In fact, I applaud them for building an outdoor stadium, it may be a bit colder in the spring, but nothing beats baseball outdoors in the summer. In Miller Park, even with the roof and outfield panels open, you never feel like you're outdoors.

...In Miller Park, even with the roof and outfield panels open, you never feel like you're outdoors.

I do have to say that Miller Park is one hell of an imposing/impressive structure when driving into Milwaukee though!

^^ Milwaukee played in County Stadium for decades with little problem, I'm sure the Twins will be fine. In fact, I applaud them for building an outdoor stadium, it may be a bit colder in the spring, but nothing beats baseball outdoors in the summer. In Miller Park, even with the roof and outfield panels open, you never feel like you're outdoors.

Miller park can be an oven on those hot summer days mainly because there just isn't much air movement. And the third base side is the worst because then you have the sun beating down on you all day long. I love the stadium for watching a game but it can be uncomfortable sometimes.

I do have to say that Miller Park is one hell of an imposing/impressive structure when driving into Milwaukee though!
Yeah, although I hate red brick facades, I think Miller Park is the best looking stadium from the outside. The new Shea stadium looks like it'll be awesome as well and of course I'm looking forward to seeing this new Twins Stadium from the outside. I'm glad they decided to be original and do something other than red brick, YUCK! I think you guys are going to have a very fine stadium!

Here's a shot from this blog (http://www.twinsballpark2010.com/NoTourToday.html) showing a test panel for the exterior materials. The native Kasota limestone being used looks like it will be quite variegated in color.

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/4192/twinstestpaneldu3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Any construction updates?

What a view. It's only rival in terms of skyline views will be PNC Park:
http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/1214/c437292d2227464d94dd7e0ju6.jpg

Any construction updates?

Here's a couple of fine shots from Saturday, taken by forumer MidwestProduct and posted at Minnescraper.

You can see a lot more progress images here! (http://www.minnescraper.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=247&start=1695)

http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/5803/twinsstadiumconstruc03gw0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

On the extreme right side of this view you can see the reconstructed roadway for the LRT station. The stadium will also be linked to the 2nd-story enclosed walkway system that connects most of downtown Minneapolis.

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/7509/twinsstadiumconstruc04pw5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Thanks a lot.

Sure, anytime! Sometimes Minnesota forumers forget to post updates here since most are busy at Minnescraper.com, so continue to badger us for news if you want. :)

Here's an image I took through a dirty window of the Ford Centre on the opposite side of the stadium (the red brick building to the right in the 2nd photo above). It's annotated to show the integration of the public transport system into the stadium.

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/8136/twinsstadiumconstruc05cst5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The new Minnesota Twins Ballpark will be named Target Field. (http://www.startribune.com/local/28389409.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUX)

From the article:

The Minnesota Twins have reached an agreement in principle on a 25-year partnership with Target Corp. that includes the right to name the team's new ballpark Target Field, the team announced today.

The 40,000-seat stadium will open in the downtown Minneapolis Warehouse district in time for the Twins home opener in the spring of 2010.

The Major League Baseball team also will collaborate with Target Corp. on the design of Target Plaza, a pedestrian bridge and public gathering space connecting the ballpark with downtown Minneapolis, said Kevin Smith, a Twins spokesman.

^^ Milwaukee played in County Stadium for decades with little problem, I'm sure the Twins will be fine. In fact, I applaud them for building an outdoor stadium, it may be a bit colder in the spring, but nothing beats baseball outdoors in the summer. In Miller Park, even with the roof and outfield panels open, you never feel like you're outdoors.

As much money baseball players make these days, let'em play in the cold!

Monday, November 3,2008

View from 7th Street:
http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/3847/twinsstadiumconstruc08ek6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The Kasota limestone exterior:

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/1226/twinsstadiumconstruc09su2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Facade along 7th Street, looking back toward the city's core:

http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/4239/twinsstadiumconstruc10yo9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Structure of one of several cantilevers:

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/9538/twinsstadiumconstruc11ho3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Main entry area:

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/3818/twinsstadiumconstruc12nt0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Target plaza, connecting the stadium to the Warehouse Entertainment District:

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/928/twinsstadiumconstruc13ip7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The first of the seating stringers are in place, along with the first structural components of the wrap-around canopy:

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/4227/twinsstadiumconstruc14kv4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The field area, with a red marker showing the location of home plate:

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/6937/twinsstadiumconstruc15hu2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The north part of Target Plaza connecting to the Target Center, showing (presumably) planter areas for the trees:

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/3005/twinsstadiumconstruc16ye0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Nice job Mnpls!!

As much money baseball players make these days, let'em play in the cold!

I agree but the sad fact is that on cold bad wheather days the team loses attendance and revenue, revenue that small market teams like Milwaukee and Minnesota can't make up.

I really like the design of this new stadium, but I too am on the side of questioning a non-domed stadium in Minnesota. As Paule said it will hurt attendance. After watching this year's world series, it was even more support for why baseball stadiums should be built with roofs in unpredictable climates. Baseball can start as early as the end of March and next year will end in November, weather in the upper midwest can be very unpredictable, why let mother nature ruin the fun when we have technology that can prevent that. I bet we will see some April games be moved Milwaukee at least once in the next five years.

Again I really like the design and location of the stadium and I guess this beats the alternative of no baseball in Minneapolis.

Looks fantastic!

I really like the design of this new stadium, but I too am on the side of questioning a non-domed stadium in Minnesota. As Paule said it will hurt attendance. After watching this year's world series, it was even more support for why baseball stadiums should be built with roofs in unpredictable climates. Baseball can start as early as the end of March and next year will end in November, weather in the upper midwest can be very unpredictable, why let mother nature ruin the fun when we have technology that can prevent that. I bet we will see some April games be moved Milwaukee at least once in the next five years.

Again I really like the design and location of the stadium and I guess this beats the alternative of no baseball in Minneapolis.

They'll pack em in in that stadium in the Summer though, she will be a beaut!

Target Plaza is undergoing a dramatic redesign, according to landscape architect Tom Oslund:

"When we were asked to design this space, we went back and did research on baseball and started thinking about the elements of the game, from the bat to the mound to the infield. We were confronted with a sizeable problem with this parking ramp flanking one side of the plaza. I began looking at artist work that could solve the problem simply and beautifully and I discovered (California artist) Ned Kahn. (Kahn created) a wind screen piece, and it’s going to be absolutely mesmerizing. This thing is 350 feet long and 60 feet high. We carried the baseball theme all the way through, so each one of the pixels (on Kahn’s installation) will be the size of a baseball card. There’s also a lot of tongue in cheek, where you have hops growing up these topiary bats, which is beer and baseball, which go together.

We walked into this meeting and presented these solutions and I thought they were going to laugh us out of the room. I was doing it not to be funny or flippant, it was my way of trying to wrap my head around how you create a space that would resonate with why people are going to it. They loved it."

Preliminary renderings are available here. (http://http://www.twinsballpark2010.com/baseball/minnesota-twins/stadium/Home.html)

Has anyone taken a minute to check out Kahn's work? It's amazing.

I thought it would be a static art piece when I first looked at it, but all the "pixels" move with the wind.

http://nedkahn.com/art/portfolio/wind/windVeil.jpg

http://nedkahn.com/wind.html

It is a really beautiful ballpark, but anyone think the stone they used looks a little southwestern?

It is a really beautiful ballpark, but anyone think the stone they used looks a little southwestern?

Funny you should say that. It is all from various Minnesota quarries.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasota_limestone

Here is one better known example of it in action:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Wells_Fargo_Center_from_Foshay.jpg/337px-Wells_Fargo_Center_from_Foshay.jpg

One of those quarries is a few blocks from my house in Mankato!
:banana:

thats an awesome stadium... wouldnt want to have to open a season there in march though..... this is way cooler than the new yankee stadium. Cant wait to play there sometime....... In a video game lol

Updates. Saturday, Jan 31, 2009. Also posted above in MSP development news.

Forumer MidwestProduct at Minnescraper also supplied many really nice photos from this past weekend as well. (http://xrl.us/beejum)

East side:

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/2263/targetfieldconstr10zs1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/6871/targetfieldconstr07sd7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/2482/targetfieldconstr01ch5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

North side, showing the relationship to downtown Minneapolis. A new LRT station is being built in the foreground:

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/2096/targetfieldconstr05xy3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Multi-levels - The street, entry plaza and skyway. A stair connection to the skyway is beginning construction:

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/1974/targetfieldconstr11hn9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/7696/targetfieldconstr15fw8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

South side:

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/8113/targetfieldconstr16fn6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Looking very very nice, even better then I expected. When is the set date for completion again?

OMG I love this!!! I remember so much talk about it when I was living there 2003-05. Now it's a reality. I really like how it is connected to downtown over 394, not separated by it. And being connect by light rail? Is that the Hiawatha Line? Awesome, awesome project. Good job Mpls!

http://s52.radikal.ru/i136/0903/6b/b7fbc0ee364c.jpg

by dgwallick1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dwallick/)

Has there been any news recently regarding the "Twinsville" development?

Here are some very nice pics (as usual!) by forumer MidwestProduct at Minnescraper.com. (http://www.minnescraper.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=247&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=2040)

The main entrance plaza:

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/8821/mpballpark061409r.jpg (http://img150.imageshack.us/i/mpballpark061409r.jpg/)

The entry plaza includes 40-foot topiary frames that look like baseball bats, which will eventually be vine-covered. The parking ramp wall to the right will be covered by a kinetic wind sculpture:

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/6051/mpballpark061409q.jpg (http://img199.imageshack.us/i/mpballpark061409q.jpg/)

The main lighting bank is recessed into the flying canopy:

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/1790/mpballpark061409m.jpg (http://img199.imageshack.us/i/mpballpark061409m.jpg/)

At the northern corner is the multi-modal transit station that includes stops for the Light Rail, Commuter Rail, Bus and a connection to the city's extensive commuter Biking trails:

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/8002/mpballpark061409g.jpg (http://img25.imageshack.us/i/mpballpark061409g.jpg/)

The facade is nearing completion on the west side:

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/9561/mpballpark061409d.jpg (http://img23.imageshack.us/i/mpballpark061409d.jpg/)

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/6081/mpballpark061409e.jpg (http://img401.imageshack.us/i/mpballpark061409e.jpg/)

View inside the bowl, with about a million watts :) of lighting:

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/268/mpballpark061409n.jpg (http://img196.imageshack.us/i/mpballpark061409n.jpg/)

Here's a shot of the new Light Rail Transit station on the 5th Street side of Target Field, visible in the near background. This line connects the ballpark to the rest of downtown, Cedar-Riverside, the Mall of America and the MSP International Airport:

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/8279/leapfroggy0550175.jpg (http://img197.imageshack.us/i/leapfroggy0550175.jpg/)

Photo by forumer Leapfroggy at Minnescraper.com (http://www.minnescraper.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=247&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=2070)

This project is ridiculously amazing. Sooooo jealous of your transit system.

This project is ridiculously amazing. Sooooo jealous of your transit system.

Well, it goes both ways MilwaukeeMark. As a charter member of the Midwest Mutual Admiration Society, I can tell you that I am also jealous of the Milwaukee Art Museum and the downtown riverfront (AND lakefront for that matter!).

So what are we to do?? I don't know.

Let's just drink on it! :cheers:

So what are we to do?? I don't know.
Support the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative (http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/projects/state/docs/railmidwest.pdf) so we get 110 mph intercity rail between Milwaukee and Minneapolis. Then we'll be able to easily visit each other's city.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2601/3801842756_6ce85e06c6_b.jpg (httptos/mspdude/3801842756/)

by MSPdude


You can see the new Target Field ballpark, as well as the green roof being installed on the nearby Target Center.

Great slideshow of Target Field here!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36552988@N03/sets/72157622153911200/show/