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Images of the Plaza (Part 2)March 10, 2010 1:37 AM A day later and the excitement of openings is tempered by bad news about closings.
Joe Nathan's been my favorite active Twin for quite some time, and it's a shame to think that his career is potentially in jeopardy due to injury. I've always thought that what the Twins got in Nathan was much more than a closer. He plays the game hard and smart, and sets a great example for the younger guys on the squad. He knows his job, does his job, and just plain wins. What's more, he's a great example of how the Twins coaching staff helps players reach their potential. Would any other team have named him as their closer when the Twins did? Not likely. To outward appearances, it looks as if the Twins made him a closer and then brought out the best in him -- which is the opposite of the more traditional pattern. Joe responded to the trust they placed in him by raising his game to another level. If there is a Twins way, that's it. That's Gardy and Rick Anderson right there. It doesn't always work, of course. But Nathan's case has always felt to me like a testament to what's possible when people trust one another. Upon hearing of the injury and prognosis, my first thought was to his personal situation, but a close second was to the 162+ 9th innings about to commence. I don't have to tell you what's at stake, or how big the question marks are. And I was so looking forward to hearing "Stand Up and Shout" over that brand new sound system... But for now, let's return to happier thoughts, walk the plaza and peer through some more gates.
I have to say that I've come to think that those overhead heaters are hilarious -- in a good way. Prepare to feel like a french fry! Or maybe a better analogy would be baby chicks, since we'll probably be standing around in clumps beneath them, eating our feed.
Next up, the Pro Shop.
I'm not one to spend much time in pro shops because the prices make my eyes water. This one was no exception. But it's really a great space, with plenty of natural light and interesting angles. It might be a challenge to merchandise in there because of its size and shape, and stuff is already pretty crammed in. I was bumping into racks down on the skinny end of the store and I was one of only a half dozen people (including employees) in the place. On gameday, this will be a madhouse. The staff was very friendly, and was gracious enough to let me take a few pictures.
One of the greatest things about the space may also be something of a problem. On the one hand, there are so many windows that almost everything becomes a window display. There is no mistaking the purpose of this space from the plaza or street. But hours in the sun will probably fade some of that merchandise pretty quickly. Rotating it all could become somebody's full-time job.
Come to think of it, that may be UV glass, in which case it's a moot point. More Veil Talk Finally, here's a shot I forgot to include yesterday:
You can see that the wind veil, though it sticks out a couple of feet from the B ramp facade, does not completely cover that gap between the ramp and the plaza. Through that opening: I-394! I say that anybody who gets a ball through there and onto the freeway (it's in fair territory, so it'd be a kick-ass homer) should win something fancy. A suit? A car? Indemnity from liability should a windshield get busted? All are good. There was some discussion today about the parking ramp lighting behind the wind veil. I haven't seen it at night, but it sounds like a potential distraction from the light show they intend to put on. From my exploration yesterday, it certainly appears possible to put some sort of mask behind it, but I bet there would be issues with air circulation in the ramp, and the panels on the veil might not move as dramatically. A better solution would be to redesign the lighting in the ramp to minimize bleed-through. Lights mounted on the wall directly behind the veil and pointed in the opposite direction (as opposed to the current overhead style) might just do the trick. Of course, that could take an act of Congress (literally). If it's possible and advisable, I'm sure somebody's all over this. But I have a feeling it's gonna stay this way for a long while. Great Gateway I'll leave you with the gateway to Target Field. (Love the signpost. Very understated. This was where they originally wanted to put the Met Stadium flag pole, and we're pretty glad that fell through, right Ben?)
Next up, we go inside. CommentsTo utilized enhanced comment features, please enable cookies in your browser. I seriously think signing Smoltz is the obvious and only choice to be the new closer. Mijares definitely proved at the end of last season he doesn't have the mental makeup, Guerrier was born to be an 8th inning set up man, Neshek needs more time to come back from injury, Rauch doesn't have anything unhittable enough to trust him as a closer, and as far as Crain, I can't think of somebody I want to have the ball LESS when the game is on the line. Signing Smoltz must happen and needs to happen. Thoughts?
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 01:50 AM by HebrewHammer16
I have been thinking of this for some time, but.. I have always thought the retired number banners of Puckett, Killebrew, Carew, etc. that hung in right and right center of the metrodome, would look AWESOME behind the windveil, shielding any bleed through lighting from the parking ramp. As you can see, you can still see much of the ramp behind the windveil, although it looks cool when the wind blows, I think those banners (not sure what happened to them, or if their weather proof) would look amazing against B Ramp facade, behind the windveil from the plaza. Even with the nighttime lighting display. Any thoughts?
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 02:11 AM by Jcm-Baseball
Very nice pics Rick.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 06:47 AM by luke
Smoltz lacks velocity to be a closer, nobody will fall for him "finesse-ing" it across the plate in close games, especially in the AL. he has only pitched for 8 games in the AL, and his stats during his time with Boston were 2-5 with a 8.33 ERA. I respect him for his great career, but no thanks...
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 07:29 AM by Tom, OG
That last pic at NBA City, where the flag pole was going to go... any concern - especially after games - about that narrow sidewalk space as a pedestrian choke point? or maybe it's just as wide as any other sidewalk...
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 08:20 AM by schweady
Awesome pics once again, Rick.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 08:28 AM by OG Jeff
Supposedly the Twins are looking at Jayson Frasor in a trade.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 08:45 AM by DVS2008
Sounds like the Twins may be looking at Jason Frasor from the Blue Jays. This would be a solid pick up. He is only 2.65MM and he has lots of AL East experience. That will bode well in the playoffs. I like this move if the Twins pull the trigger. Now, who do we offer up in a trade. You bet your ass they are gonna want a prospect or two. Twins don't like letting prospects go. Click name for MLBTradeRumors link.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 08:47 AM by trosy29
DVS- you read my mind...;-)
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 08:47 AM by trosy29
Rick, Good post, thanks for bringing back the wind veil discussion. Turning the lights to face directly into the ramp could be a quick solution. Something should happen.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 08:50 AM by Brandon T
Looking at that pic makes me wonder (again) why the Twins wanted so badly to put the Met pole there. The only thing I can come up with is that putting the pole there would have allowed the pole to remain at it's full height, which was not possible in "Plan B". The other mystery is why they apparently never even considered locating it inside the park, where I think it belongs.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:03 AM by Ben
Ben - It is inside the park. Any closer and it would be on the field.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:10 AM by trosy29
It's a good question about choke points. But that picture tells only a very small part of the story. Keep in mind that: 1. The plaza splits in two, with the other branch emptying onto Seventh Street (with a skyway connection in the former emergency exit tower there). 2. The branch seen above also has two exits directly to the skyway system before this point. One is the stairway to the B ramp, and the other is a walkway which crosses Second Avenue and then meets the walkway behind Target Center (with doors to the skyway right there). 3. There are also stairs back there which would allow people to head down to street level, cross Sixth Street, and come toward downtown on the Butler Square side. 4. This walkway is wider than the picture makes it look. I agree that the potential is there for congestion -- in fact, it's all but a given. But such is the nature of large crowds, and it's clear that the people working on this have taken great measures to make the most of the space they inherited. It's really some kick-ass engineering.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:13 AM by Rick
Dead center field is what I meant, I guess. Like it was at the Met. Now it's just a black pole. At the Met it was a FLAGPOLE.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:15 AM by Ben
Rick writes --"On gameday, this will be a madhouse." Maybe it will end up fulfilling a Yogi-ism: "Nobody goes there anymore because it's too crowded." :-)
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:17 AM by Dan
Thanks, Rick. I haven't been to that spot since the plywood barrier was taken down, and it REALLY looked narrow then. Way back when the Twins were asking about features fans would like at the new ballpark, walking spaces was my main thing, including being able to walk all of the way around the outside of the park. While the space around by the burner is no great shakes as of yet, they did a bang-up job with that little postage stamp area.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:27 AM by schweady
I'm all for the history of the pole, but putting it in center would seem too gimmicky, in my opinion. Plus, it wouldn't mesh with the old logo sign that is already there. Where it is now, the countless fans coming in from the plaza can admire it close up.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:30 AM by DVS2008
Jeeuz Ben reading your posts the past couple days, could you possibly be any more of a downer?
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:32 AM by moda253
The one good thing about the Plaza ramp, though it's small, is at least it keeps people moving AWAY from TF and the escape points that Rick mentioned. How bad will the congestion be after games back on the gates by the light rail station? You exit and you're basically on top of the trains. Also, is signage or shade or anything else planned for the promenade? I was sweating walking back there last weekend, when it was 40°F, and I was only wearing a light sweatshirt.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:37 AM by Chad
seems as if a possible expansion of the plaza could be to continue it full width of the stadium footprint and over 394. I can see a grilling area and who knows what else. Not the same as the old Met but a nice expansive space would be pretty great. Wish they had done that off the bat. No pun intended.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:42 AM by OldMetFan
moda253: It's okay to inhabit the real world from time to time - you might think about trying it out.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:42 AM by Ben
Says the man handing out life lessons on a freaking blog.... too damn funny.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:45 AM by moda253
Since the city is going to be closing off 1st Ave on game days, I think that may alleviate some of the "choke point" problems; since you won't have hundreds of people standing on the corner waiting for the light to turn green. I suppose some folks will just avoid it all-together and come around from 7th Street.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:47 AM by AndyG
Old Met Fan, I think that will be the solution a few years down the road. I'm sure that was an initial option, but I don't know what their reasoning was to not extend the plaza all the way to TC. I'm hoping they eventually do extend it...and create a new facade to TC on that side.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:48 AM by DreDogg
I have here that if they extended the plaza all the way, it would create a tunnel and not a bridge over 394 and that creates a whole slew of stricter regs that need to be followed.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:55 AM by trosy29
**heard**
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 09:56 AM by trosy29
it's a pleasant surprise how roomy the plaza and sidewalks feel. the 7th st side is particularly wide, almost to the point of overkill. they can set up a ton of tables in front of Hrbek's. walking the plaza last weekend if had a very open feel, right in the heart of downtown. the whole plan just seems as if it will work fine because of gate set-up and points of interest on the site. sure it was void of people last weekend but it has a feel about it that is better than I anticipated.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 10:12 AM by tim
The eventual building of the new transit platform across 5th St will alleviate the congestion there. Unfortunately, we will have to deal with at least 3 years of mayhem before they approve/build the alternative. That is one the one project I feel they fast-tracked, in order to have some sort of LRT platform for the first ever game.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 10:26 AM by DreDogg
Trosy, You are correct. However, I believe the Twins built the plaza according to federal tunnel regulations in case there was ever an expansion in the future.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 10:28 AM by Wanda Phillips
One interesting thing about potential choke points will be the question of whether people take the routes that the planners expect or concentrate in greater than anticipated numbers along other routes. For instance, I think the Xcel Energy Center greatly underestimated the number of people entering and exiting at 7th and Kellogg in comparison to other gates. Meanwhile Target Center ended up having to reshuffle access to its escalator bank on the 6th Street side in the name of crowd control and safety due to far more fans than anticipated choosing to exit via that route in comparison to the fire stairs on the 1st and 2nd Avenue sides. I can see access point tweaks to TF down the line after crowd establishes its traffic patterns.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 10:51 AM by Jorge
Just got my tickets in the mail. For the record, the extra pre-sale exhibition tickets DID NOT come in my ST package. Wonder when they'll be here?
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 10:58 AM by Jimmer
I've thought the same thing about your posts Ben. Good info but you are a stick in the mud. Also, we need to start calling you BENcyclopedia. You seem to have the answers for everything. Bring it down a notch big guy.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 11:04 AM by Jim
Jimmer, what package did you buy?
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 11:05 AM by jpberka
I got 20GM package E... Got 4 for the 2nd exhibition with the plan, and 4 for the first in the presale. Exhibition in my seats for gm 2 came, but not the ones I ordered for gm 1.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 11:08 AM by Jimmer
I may have read some comments on this already, but I ordered Apr 2 exhibition game tickets, and like a dork I opted to have them sent to my house. I have not received them yet. Are others in this same boat?
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 11:10 AM by Steeks
Yeah, same here... I'd rather have a ticket stub, especially since its the first Twins game there, exhibition or not
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 11:12 AM by Jimmer
For those who have been to the new Pro Shop at the park, how does the overall selection compare to the mall based Pro Shops or even what can be found at a Champs Sports type store or online?
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 11:12 AM by Jorge
I just emailed my ticket rep, as he previously stated that the presale tickets would be sent with the ST package.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 11:16 AM by Jimmer
Received my tix to the Open House for the "Delta Sky360 Legend's Club." One question: Why is it called the "Legend's Club" instead of the Legends Club? Is there just one Legend and does he/she/it own the Club?
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 11:17 AM by s (aka msp)
It shows those 4 tickets with the rest of my ST on MyTwinsTickets... odd.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 11:19 AM by Jimmer
The Pro Shop has a good selection. It had things that I had not seen at stores or online. You are going to spend more buying at the Pro Shop. A Sweatshirt I bought for 55 at the mall was 75 at the Pro Shop.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 11:20 AM by Joe117
Good point, really it should probably be Legends' Club, but that looks tacky, I think just Legends would be best.
Posted on March 10, 2010 at 11:22 AM by Brandon T
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Images of the Plaza (Part 1)March 9, 2010 1:39 AM Today was a big day with very little fanfare. The final barricades came down from the plaza, the hot dogs were introduced, and the Pro Shop opened. (I've got links to a few other smaller things on the Facebook feed. If you haven't already, be sure to become a fan so you won't miss those.) Great Days, Believe ItMarch 7, 2010 2:35 AM These are great days to be a Twins fan. I'd tell you why, but I don't think I have to.
And these are great days to be a ballpark fan as well. Again, I don't have to tell you why, but somebody should really tell Reusse: Learning, DiscoveringMarch 4, 2010 11:18 PM Taking a trip down to the ballpark between appointments this afternoon was a spontaneous decision which reaped some surprising rewards. It has seemed for months now like all we can do is wait for the gates to swing open, that there was nothing left to discover from the sidewalks. Well, wrong.
Training TimeFebruary 24, 2010 11:17 AM Will you be in shape when the season starts? Will you be a lean, mean Mauer or a flabby Mijares? Well, the Twins are working out, and so should you. Here, inning by inning, is your spring training regimen to prepare for a new ballpark. Inning 1: Read everything you can. (Click image to buy the book.) Earlier ArticlesEight Weeks and Counting February 17, 2010 A Whiff of Baseball February 1, 2010 Signs and Portents January 20, 2010 Chicken - Brats - Fries January 17, 2010 Roll It Over January 2, 2010 What Tom Petty Said December 4, 2009 Change-Up November 27, 2009 Oh Say, Can You See? November 18, 2009 Beyond Ballparks October 30, 2009 On CBP, Umping, and Gawking October 23, 2009 Amenity Deliveries October 20, 2009 And we'll see you at Target Field! October 14, 2009 Hello, Metrodome October 11, 2009 Playoff Day Off October 8, 2009 Metrodome Magic! October 6, 2009 After Midnight October 6, 2009 An Era That Won't End October 5, 2009 Game On October 4, 2009 A Fitting Send-Off October 3, 2009 Celebrate Good Times October 1, 2009 Autumnal Equinox September 22, 2009 September Stretch September 21, 2009 A Football Place: Nuts and Bolts September 3, 2009 Leaves of Grass August 29, 2009 Grassy August 28, 2009 The Grass Moves! August 24, 2009 Restoration August 23, 2009 Opportunity August 22, 2009 Plaza Trees August 21, 2009 Ninja-Style Details August 12, 2009 Going Ninja August 11, 2009 Inside the Bowl August 1, 2009 Dotting I's July 29, 2009 A Preview (And Not) July 25, 2009 A Moose Tour July 21, 2009 Take the Survey July 19, 2009 July Poking Around #3 July 15, 2009 Intermission July 14, 2009 July Poking Around #2 July 10, 2009 July Poking Around #1 July 10, 2009 Sunny Summer Dream July 5, 2009 Story Time June 24, 2009 OK, New Thread June 13, 2009 More Toppings June 8, 2009 One Topped Off, One Finished Off June 6, 2009 Yeah, We All Shine On May 29, 2009 Now THIS Is Twins Territory May 28, 2009 A No Photo, Web Only Tour May 23, 2009 Key Ballpark Ingredient: Swagger May 20, 2009 Plunked May 13, 2009 Spring Swing (Finale) and More May 10, 2009 Spring Swing (Part 4) May 9, 2009 Spring Swing (Part 3) May 8, 2009 Spring Swing (Part 2) May 8, 2009 Spring Swing May 7, 2009 Play Ball! Finale April 29, 2009 Play Ball! Tour - Part 2 April 25, 2009 Rain, Homers, Seats, Dogs April 23, 2009 Random Thursday in April April 9, 2009 Ahh, That's More Like It April 8, 2009 Hello, Goodbye April 7, 2009 Fun With Former Twins April 1, 2009 A Ninja Tour March 30, 2009 Plaza Particulars (Part 2) March 10, 2009 Plaza Particulars (Part 1) March 7, 2009 Ballpark Spring Training March 6, 2009 Of Topiaries, Hops and Wind Veils February 12, 2009 Sunny Tour Finale February 4, 2009 Seeing Our Shadow February 3, 2009 Hello, February! (14 months out...) February 2, 2009 So Long, January! February 1, 2009 So Long, Baseball Friend January 5, 2009 Happy New Year! December 30, 2008 Your Ballpark Calendar (and more) December 15, 2008 A New Plaza Design? December 1, 2008 The Concourse, Of Course November 27, 2008 Plaza-Walking November 16, 2008 View From the Ground November 12, 2008 Strolling the Promenade November 7, 2008 Tour Photos, Part Two November 5, 2008 Ah, the View (Level)! November 5, 2008 You Decide! November 4, 2008 Trick or Treat, Metrodome Style October 31, 2008 Canopy Skeleton! October 28, 2008 So Long, Yankee Stadium (Updated, Again) October 18, 2008 So Long, Tiger Stadium October 11, 2008 Sunny Steel Stroll October 10, 2008 Twins in '08: Ballpark Magic October 2, 2008 All About Levels September 19, 2008 It Could Have Been Better/Worse September 16, 2008 Experiencing The Stadium September 13, 2008 Washed Out, But It's OK September 12, 2008 An All-Star Bid September 10, 2008 Rain, Rain, Go Away September 9, 2008 A Football Stadium Takes Shape August 31, 2008 Rooftop Visions August 30, 2008 What's Ballpark Magic? August 22, 2008 Flag Pole: En Route? August 20, 2008 Sent to the Showers (For the Team!) August 20, 2008 The Newest Twins Fan August 11, 2008 Sunset Limestone July 29, 2008 From the Plaza July 19, 2008 Stoned! July 16, 2008 Move Along, Nothing to Enjoy Here July 12, 2008 Home Land -- Safe! July 10, 2008 Becoming a Baseball Place June 25, 2008 Tailgaiting? Wind? Golf? June 5, 2008 Construction Update - May 29 May 30, 2008 Halfway Home May 17, 2008 Hooky, Anyone? May 16, 2008 New Ballpark Construction Views #3 May 10, 2008 New Ballpark Construction Views #2 May 9, 2008 Ballparkus Tourus Interruptus May 9, 2008 Construction Update from Greg May 7, 2008 A Better View May 3, 2008 Sharing and Caring Thoughts April 19, 2008 Curses April 15, 2008 Fox9 Report on Ballpark Names April 4, 2008 Ballpark Name Domain Wrap-Up April 4, 2008 Twins to Speculators: Hold Your Domains! April 3, 2008 Ballpark Jots April 2, 2008 Land O' Lakes Field?!? April 2, 2008 Hi-Def? Lo-Def? April 1, 2008 Sometimes It Snows In...March March 31, 2008 Ballpark Name Clues March 21, 2008 Let's Review March 20, 2008 Just Add Beams February 15, 2008 Frigid Plaza Progress February 12, 2008 Quick Construction Update February 7, 2008 Model Details - Twinsfest 2008 February 6, 2008 Santana Banners January 30, 2008 Model Details - An Earlier Vision January 23, 2008 Let It Pour! January 23, 2008 Model Details - Part 5 January 22, 2008 Model Details - Part 4 January 21, 2008 Model Details - Part 3 January 20, 2008 Model Details - Part 2 January 19, 2008 Model Details - Part 1 January 18, 2008 Shaking It Off January 18, 2008 Blah, Ballpark, Blah January 16, 2008 So Long, Class of '01 November 24, 2007 Ballpark Odds and Ends November 22, 2007 Construction Update November 20, 2007 Being Green November 5, 2007 Touring the Virtual Tour November 3, 2007 A Tale of Two Outfields November 3, 2007 Sizing It Up October 31, 2007 Live at the Meeting October 30, 2007 Respect. October 20, 2007 Done and Done October 15, 2007 Piles to Rails to Cranes September 28, 2007 Let's Build August 31, 2007 A Fair Discovery August 23, 2007 Ramping Up August 21, 2007 Accidental Preview August 16, 2007 Rescheduled August 9, 2007 Well, Now What? August 9, 2007 Impatience. Shock. Grief. August 1, 2007 Plan Your Outing August 1, 2007 Color Dreams July 24, 2007 Webcam! July 11, 2007 Summer Smells (of Rats) July 6, 2007 Officially Nuts June 25, 2007 Bad Ballparks June 25, 2007 A Special Fan June 19, 2007 ...and a Major Concern. June 12, 2007 A Major Find June 11, 2007 Mark Your Calendar June 11, 2007 More Model Talk June 6, 2007 Concepts and Measurements June 1, 2007 First Dirt May 21, 2007 Introductions May 17, 2007 Poised and Ready May 15, 2007 No More Guesswork May 10, 2007 So, It Begins May 8, 2007 Happy Sigh. May 2, 2007 The Magic of the Event April 28, 2007 But Can It Soar? April 17, 2007 Watch Out For That Railing! April 15, 2007 More Reacting April 14, 2007 A Great First Impression April 12, 2007 Ah, Unveiling At Hand April 10, 2007 Washington Malaise March 14, 2007 Stealing Our Thunder March 13, 2007 Crickets March 8, 2007 Pogin on Almanac March 2, 2007 Potential Sites March 2, 2007 Heads Up March 2, 2007 Communication, People February 28, 2007 Wither, Rapid Park February 26, 2007 Equal Time February 24, 2007 Bad Faith? February 18, 2007 How Much Room...Really February 9, 2007 Wind Tunnel? December 14, 2006 A Tantalizing First Glimpse December 7, 2006 Wireless Dreaming November 15, 2006 Fake History? October 27, 2006 We Don't Need No Stinking Roof! October 26, 2006 Playoff Ballparks 2006 October 5, 2006 Becoming a Baseball Town October 1, 2006 Ballpark Seats With a View? September 29, 2006 Oh, the Ideas! September 28, 2006 Make It a Green Field September 26, 2006 Honoring Baseball's Mill City August 6, 2006 About Authority August 4, 2006 A Hot Dog...Please? July 28, 2006 Ballpark History Foiled July 13, 2006 Who's Got the Details? June 29, 2006 Loose Ends June 23, 2006 Meet the Ballpark Authority June 22, 2006 More Reasons June 21, 2006 Proudly Anti-Roof June 15, 2006 To Roof, or Not to Roof June 13, 2006 Baseball Soon, Parking Now, Lumber Then June 8, 2006 Killebrew Field June 6, 2006 Flag Pole - Part 2 June 5, 2006 A River Runs Through It June 2, 2006 The Plan June 2, 2006 How Much Ballpark? June 1, 2006 Getting There (and Out) June 1, 2006 Some Flagpole History June 1, 2006 A Great Baseball Place? June 1, 2006 Introducing the Site May 31, 2006 Some St. Peter Answers May 31, 2006 A Brief Delay May 31, 2006 It's Official May 28, 2006 |
"The only thing the ballpark can give a visitor that he cannot get anywhere else is baseball."– Shannon/Kalinsky
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Your donations are welcome. Any amount is helpful and will reduce the need to rely on pay-per-click advertising.  Explore the SiteHere are 50 images chosen randomly from the 1869 found on this site. Click the image to be taken to the original post. A new list is created every 10 minutes.
 Integrating the administration building was really a great idea. Actually, there will be more things inside than just offices, but that will probably be some sweet space.   Click to enlarge greatly   A little higher angle shows how the two stations are close to one another but distinctly separate. The oval, glass-enclosed area is the entrance from the Northstar platform below into the ballpark. The LRT platform is comparable to the other stations along that route.  View Level   Artist at work  The connection from the corner of Seventh Street and Second Avenue. You can now see where the little grassy area and franchise history board will be (the triangular area in the foreground).    Do you think somebody's already cooking hot dogs out there?  Dan Kenney provided this alternate shot of a walkway behind the view level  These are the footings for the staircase which will connect the plaza to the skyway.  This is a good overview of the spot where the Northstar (bottom) and LRT (top) will intersect.  I could gaze at this streetscape all day. It isn't perfect, but as a model for Minneapolis, I love it. (Except the Biff, of course. Click to enlarge.)  Some of Minneapolis' finest checking out the construction through a spot where a knothole will be one day.    If you want, you can ask those folks how the game is going -- and even get a little bit of info from the big screen (Grandstand)  The windows have started going in.  Concept drawing of Coomer gate (click to enlarge)  It looks like the Target-themed signage has spilled out to the surrounding area (this was taken from the entryway to the B ramp from Third -- the 394 entrance ramp tunnel)   This is the view from where the plaza will connect to the walkway on the west side of Target Center. This presumably aids traffic flow back to the A ramp, and perhaps to the skyway connection (though the doors to the skyway right there are typically exit only).  The lights have covers on the top, presumably to reduce light pollution    LRT station has appeared.  Now from the inside looking at the same area.   Lots of folks working behind those ticket windows     This was from January 19, 2007, when it looked like wonderful things might never happen here.      Concourse ceilings (from the Ballpark Authority's May update)  Our cantilever friends will be happy to learn that there will be sections with views like this in the new stadium.   Shh. Don't tell those people working behind the ticket windows about these automated ticketing machines (underneath the plaza stairs)  The wooden louvers are in on Fifth Street  A detailed crowd shot. Click to enlarge greatly.  The suite mock-up  Looking back toward First Avenue   Welcome Visitors From Glossary BRT - Bus Rapid Transit DSP - Dave St. Peter FSE - Full Season Equivalent HERC - Hennepin Energy Resource Company (aka the Garbage Burner) HPB - Home Plate Box HRP - Home Run Porch LC - Legends Club LRT - Light Rail Transit MBA - Minnesota Ballpark Authority (will own Target Field) MOA - Mall of America MSFC - Minnesota Sports Facilities Commission (owns the Metrodome) NYS - New Yankee Stadium SRO - Standing Room Only STH - Season Ticket Holder TCFBS - TCF Bank Stadium TF - Target Field |
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