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Construction Update

November 20, 2007 2:59 AM

It's been a bit hard to find time to sort through the hundreds of construction photos I've taken so far (998 and counting). This is going to make a great book one day. (Seriously. Publisher inquiries welcome.)

Here's a sampling from a beautifully sunny -- and very cold -- afternoon last week.

Click to enlarge.

Work has begun on the plaza, and the activity has started to impact I-394 traffic.

The east wall of the building looks like it will be the first part completed. These are probably supports for the plaza, and they hug the very edge of the site.

The same section seen from Target Center. Yep, looks like bridge supports.

This is an angle I have not used very much, from the top of the Fifth Street ramp. Because the wall is so tall (forget about watching a game from here for free -- OK, maybe with a step stool) I have to hold the camera up over my head and just snap, hoping I get something good. Here I did. This view then looks to the southwest.

Because of the scale, it's sometimes hard to realize that there are actual guys down there doing the tough work! Here they are getting ready to pour a footing.

This is a little section of what looks like a finished foundation. It will be approximately below the Pro Shop (I think).

Let's admit that this is the phase where many of the shots start to look alike -- dirt and cement. Something recognizable should begin to emerge from this glorious mess over the next few months. I'll be there to document it as it does.

ON a side note, be sure to pick up a copy of the Downtown Journal this week. There's a two-page spread inside with some annotated frame captures from the video.

Winter approaches. But one day baseballs will fly where now there are cranes.

Comments

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Thanks Rick this is just what I was talking about. thank you...thank you

Posted on November 20, 2007 at 08:28 AM by pf 386 1

How do we go about contacting you directly. I'm interested in contributing graphic design/ production/ page layout in regard to your intrest in publishing.

Posted on November 20, 2007 at 08:55 AM by dain 2

Rick (or anyone for that matter) - Where did you park to get the street level shots from the Target Center side of things? The 5th street ramp? Or did you just park on a local street and hoof it over there? Basically, want to know what you think the best plan of attack is if one wants to go and take a look around on foot?

Posted on November 20, 2007 at 3:08 PM by Betaband 3

Betaband,

Parking at the municipal ramps is pretty cheap ($1 for the first half hour). Sometimes I park in a ramp, sometimes at a meter along the Sixth or Seventh Street sides of Target Center. Either way, I usually plan to spend about a half hour walking around to get various views.

Posted on November 20, 2007 at 3:14 PM by Rick 4

Good question Betaband! I was about to ask the same thing because I had no clue what the best plan of attack was to check out the site.

Posted on November 20, 2007 at 6:53 PM by Luke 5

Thanks for the info Rick.

Posted on November 20, 2007 at 6:57 PM by Betaband 6

Looks like they are making great progress. Every time I see the webcam at night it appears that they continue working.

Can't wait to see the site in person when I go back to Minneapolis for Christmas.

Posted on November 20, 2007 at 8:59 PM by Lafferty 7

FYI...DSP made his monthly update to his new ballpark blog. It basically outlines the sales and marketing of the premium seating. Click the link if you are interested.

Posted on November 20, 2007 at 10:36 PM by Luke 8

I work downtown and often walk down there at lunch. You can get a good view of the construction from the skyway behind Target Center, but the best view is probably from the furthest Elevator lobby in the parking ramp along 7th Street.

Posted on November 21, 2007 at 09:28 AM by Jon 9

Looks like the Twins should take down those #48 banners and Torii Hunter highlights from the ballpark video...Torii just signed with the LA Angels. Too bad.

Hopefully this organization doesn't lose Santana too and run this thing into the ground before we ever get into the stadium.

(I'm not one to wish ill-will on anyone, so I don't wish harm...I just wish Pohlad would pass this thing on to someone who cares. It all could be so special, but with him at the helm, even with all his money, I just don't see it)

Posted on November 22, 2007 at 01:39 AM by Darn 10

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Explore the Site

Here are 50 images chosen randomly from the 2363 found on this site. Click the image to be taken to the original post. A new list is created every 10 minutes.

A truck is leaving the HERC plant. Here you can see the proximity to the promenade. For the record, the truck drove right by me and I smelled nothing...

There's a great, big, beautiful tomorrow! (I loved this place as a kid.)

Steel going up fast.

The french fry lights were on!

Stairs down to Seventh Street now have the start of railings

The Northstar circulation building is starting to take shape.

A closer look into the park from down the street. How great will this view be during a game??

The first completed mural

The field will feel very close.

Love the red flowers -- just like the original concept drawings. That NEVER happens.

From the TV camera platform -- the view you'll see on TV

The green in question (click for very large version)

This is what it looked like during the first open house in March.

Here's a correction: The LRT platform will actually be able to load outbound trains from both sides.

Fissure dude

Grid for the ironwood louvres is in place

From the roof of the Minnekahda building (courtesy Bruce Lambrecht).

"Original" or "Dinger" Dog

Sunday afternoon, WFTC-HD 720P

Bronze glove delivered (awaiting installation) with Met flag pole horizontal behind the gate

Yankee Stadium

Looking from the middle of the third base side back toward the entry door

The rendering which excited a fan base! (Inset is an enlargement of the pictured neon sculpture.)

This is the area above the pro shop, with some new support structure

This is a slightly blurry view of the pavilion in center. It has a quirky shape, but one which is completely consistent with the overall ballpark design. Nice work there. You can also get a glimpse of the greenery which will rise above the fences.

Balcony of the Town Ball Tavern.

The canopy as viewed through the outfield stands. The lighting approach, despite what you may have heard, is actually very traditional.

Saturday afternoon, KMSP-HD 720P

This is the LRT path looking from the ballpark site (behind me) toward downtown. The line currently ends about two blocks up this street. This bridge over I-394 is also being partially rebuilt as part of the ballpark project.

This is the trapezoid (for lack of a better name) in right center. Be sure to notice section of seats just below the pavilion and above the fence (which I hadn't noticed before). For those who are interested, what looks like an old-style scoreboard is in fact a high-def video board which will look, at times, like an old-fashioned scoreboard.