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Model Details - Part 1

January 18, 2008 11:25 PM

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.

Comments

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Awesome Rick - cool to see those so up close...

One thing I'm not sure if we discussed on here yet was the out-of-town scoreboards...(visible in some of those model shots). Do we know much about this yet?? Has DSP said anything about them? I wonder if they will be the ones like Cleveland has that shows small field drawings and updates whether men are on base or not. I'm assuming they will be electronic, but the model shows more of a classic look (although we know that is a very rough representation).

Posted on January 19, 2008 at 12:25 AM by Excited 1

Am I mistaken or is the Canadian flag taller than the US flag? Just like the Canadian dollar surpassing our very own.

Posted on January 19, 2008 at 10:30 AM by Mike 2

I like that they're using the stone as sort of a brand for the park. It's present everywhere and it has a nice tone and texture. I'm still curious how the approach to the sixth street pedestrian bridge will look and function as well as its orientation to the street. Just walking in this area now its still unclear how they're going to make this all work. This also applies to the bridge/rail station area. Great pics as always. Thanks for your efforts.

Posted on January 19, 2008 at 1:06 PM by Tim 3

i can't freakin wait to (try to) catch a justin morneau homerun in the plaza. the more i see these plans, the more i realize that something significantly special is happening.

Posted on January 19, 2008 at 1:35 PM by yeahklye 4

Does anyone have any clarifications yet as far as outfield seating and whether or not they will be the "bleacher seating" or traditional seats? From the perspective of one of the simulation videos, it appears there will be some bleacher seating in the right field area but am not 100% sure on that.

Posted on January 19, 2008 at 4:28 PM by Luke 5

Haven't had a chance to read the latest post in great detail yet, but good to see you back in action Rick.

You were MIA there for a while!

Posted on January 19, 2008 at 7:51 PM by Betaband 6

Look closely at first photo in this set of photos. Is there a cow among the trees? Looks like Babe the blue ox!

Posted on January 21, 2008 at 10:45 AM by Dain 7

Hey Rick, do you know if they plan on having the TV things on the facing of the upperdeck like they recently put in the metrodome?

Posted on June 8, 2008 at 11:50 PM by Brandon 8

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Here 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).