Model Details - Part 1

January 18, 2008 11:25 PM

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As you may imagine, I have taken a lot of ballpark-related photos. Some of them have appeared in these pages, but many have not. There's no real reason for this except that editing them takes time, and most aren't really necessary to illustrate whatever point I'm trying to make.

But my intention all along has been to get back to all of these unused images and bring them out when things are quiet.

Well, things are quiet.

Don't get me wrong...this is not a bad thing. I love it that we don't have any major impediments in the way anymore. And I especially love it that there are no more greedy weasels trying to muck things up with outrageous monetary demands (can you believe that that actually happened?).

So this is the first in a series of photo sets which will be offered without too much commentary (you can add that below).

These are pictures I took back on October 30 when the final model was revealed to the Hennepin County commissioners. You'll be able to see the model for yourself at Twinsfest. In fact, that's the only reason I'm going -- to find out what, if anything, has changed.

Let's start with the plaza area. Click on any image for a very large version.

This is as close as I could get to a pedestrian-eye view of the main entrance. This is what you'll see as you enter by coming down Sixth Street.

More of a bird's-eye view of the same area.

Looking across the top of the B parking ramp. Notice that signage will block any attempts at seeing the game from up there. Also take note of the glassed in area which is part club and part office space for the Ballpark Authority.

Now from the inside looking at the same area.

And another angle looking at the overhang area of the right field pavilion. This looks to me like a great area to watch a game.

A view straight on of the Pro Shop area and ticket windows (just barely visible). The piers you see beneath the plaza are already almost completed (see final photo).

Finally, here's a current construction photo to give a little context:

From last week, you can see the piers taking shape. I believe that the front row, visible here as just forms and reinforcing rods, is the front edge of the plaza.

I learned a little something from these photos. Earlier I had complained about the possibility of freeway noise being a factor on the plaza. But what I didn't realize is that all but one lane of the freeway will be covered by the plaza, thus eliminating the possibility that noise will be too overwhelming (or maybe even noticeable).

Theoretically, all traffic on the remaining lane will also be traveling very slowly (35 mph) as they approach the exit. This also minimizes the noise. I now believe that it's a total non-issue.

Tomorrow we'll take a look at how the trains fit into the model picture.

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This page was last modified on January 21, 2010.