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Opportunity

August 22, 2009 3:13 AM

COMMENT

At the risk of swinging from one extreme to the other, hear are a few additional images -- of a very different sort -- which I took during my recent glamour shot tours. All of these were taken within three blocks of Target Field.

Lest you think I stacked the deck, these are all separate establishments -- not just a collection of unflattering pictures of a single place. And other than the tire pile, I didn't have to peak through any gates. The vacant lot is over on Royalston, but the rest are up Fifth Street (if you go straight instead of following the bend toward the freeway).

While traveling in this area, for the first time ever I did smell the rancid scent of garbage, but it was definitely not coming from the HERC. No, it was coming from the Tubbs company, which appears to be cleaning dumpsters there. Whew!

Technically, this must be viewed as Opportunityville. But opportunities sometimes need to be helped along. All of these businesses have been there since long before Target Field was even a gleam in a real estate dreamer's eye, so it's hard to be too harsh on the area.

But even so, the City of Minneapolis should really be embarrassed by having this stuff so close to downtown, especially when the neighborhood has now been officially tagged for redevelopment for over three years.

The degree to which the area is rehabilitated will be one of the barometers by which you can measure the impact of Target Field in the neighborhood. Five years from now, this better be an area of restaurants with outdoor decks, perhaps with quirky residential space above (take as a model the area over by the old Guthrie Lab space and Acme Comedy).

Happier Thoughts

Here are a couple of images I also got over on Royalston.

This one gives a good overview of the bike path issue. You can see that the current path veers off at the far right of the picture to continue onto the city streets. Hardly ideal, of course. The new path, toward the river, parallel to the tracks, headed into a tunnel beneath the promenade, is already staked off. But you can't ride on stakes.

Hennepin County, the Ballpark Authority, the team, and even the Federal Government have bent over backwards to make this path extension become a reality, and to integrate accomodations for bike riders into the project.

Let's see. Which stakeholder in the ballpark project did I leave out of that list...?

The strident bicyclists need to be very careful who they accuse of causing delays. Nobody would have had to do anything to accommodate them in this project (despite their overall noisiness), but almost everyone has really stepped up on their behalf. A little gratitude would be in order.

And those stupid signs that have been posted all around the neighborhood really bug me. What they say is simply not true. These people need to get their facts straight before trying to raise a stink over something which doesn't, in reality, actually stink.

You may ask: How hard is it to lay down a ten-foot wide asphalt path? The wheels of government move slowly sometimes, my friends.

On Tracks

Now, about those tracks:

While they were moving those tracks, and now that they've been covered by the promenade (perhaps one day known as the Halsey Hall Memorial Promenade), the scope the the work has always been hard to comprehend. Above is a little taste of what actually was accomplished. Very complicated. Very cool.

Next, a louvre-installation-in-progress shot.

Linkage

Finally, two links really worth following.

Sports Illustrated got a couple of helicopter shots (regrettably small) and took a tour with DSP. It's always interesting to get an idea of how this ballpark is going to look to folks outside the Twin Cities. Good, I think, is the early indication.

Two DSP quotes to pull out:

"Rain, we can handle that," he said. "It's more an issue of climate. But we're getting soft in Minnesota. I expect to get as many fans complaining about the heat, missing the air conditioning in the Dome, as I do the cold.

...

"It was never our intent to build a 'retro' ballpark. We're building a much more modern ballpark with 'classic' features."

That last sentiment is all I ever hoped for when I started this web site.

I've always thought that "retro" was an insult to true fans of baseball. Stick your retro in a time capsule, bud (or should I say "Bud"). You can't fool me into believing that a park has been there for 100 years. It hasn't. Get over it.

That's one of the major triumphs of Target Field's design: It does not pretend about anything. If nothing else, it's honest. (Which is more than I could say about some other recent ballparks I could name.)

Next, MPR has a story with Chuck Ballantine about the prospects of a new train station in this town.

Here is one of the concept drawings referenced (but not shown) in the MPR story (conceptual ballpark at left, LRT tracks switched to the north half of the Fifth Street bridge, which is actually in all of the long-range plans).

It is a likely addition to the Target Field neighborhood sometime in the (relatively) near future -- within most of our lifetimes, at least.

That's all for tonight, friends. I leave you with a couple more glamour shots, one of which is technically a rerun from yesterday, but with a strategic addition by "some guy".

See you tomorrow night, with a look at TCF Bank Stadium.

Comments

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Thanks for the update Rick. AS for eyesores, at least it's not right next to the ballpark like the Iron Triangle in New York. Hopefully someday some development can go in there, but I don't see anything within the next few years.

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 08:02 AM by Camden 1

Where are the comments?

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 08:08 AM by Locker 2

great analysis, Rick. I'm honored to be a part of the site - if only to add some sillyness.

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 10:46 AM by some guy 3

SI also has a set of photos of TF not linked to the story.

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 11:08 AM by Boof 4

except most of them they just borrowed from the Twins' website

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 11:50 AM by Deenels 5

Now are these squirrels gonna be a problem around the stadium? Running around everywhere on tracks n such? haha

Other then that nice post again rick! I see so much oppertunity in those areas!

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 12:17 PM by The Sooj 6

The SI photos were alright. Rick takes better ones.
Some of them in the SI piece were pretty old.

I'm disappointed in our scoreboard though - being the fourth largest. We should have THE LARGEST. One like they have at the Cowboys new stadium would suffice.

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 12:58 PM by luke 7

Everything about that stadium in dallas is a monstrosity. Those upper level seats should have oxygen tanks they're up so high. Balls hitting the scoreboard is a joke!!! Good job Jerry Jones!

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 2:04 PM by kevin in az 8

What is actually in the Ford Centre or is it anabandoned building?

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 2:22 PM by firedog 9

A couple pre-kickoff passes actually hit the center-hung video board over there didn't they?

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 2:25 PM by luke 10

Not just pre-game luke, during the game the Tennessee punter hit the damn thing and they had to re-kick. This is going to piss off coaches as "hang-time" is vital to a successful punt. Jones says he's not moving the scoreboard higher...I'm sure Mr. Commish may have something to say about that.

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 2:42 PM by kevin in az 11

I hadn't heard about anything during the game. I saw a couple blurbs from the pre-game stuff. Had I known the game was on FOX last night (I was watching Favre in purple on ABC) I probably would have watched.

I might be wrong but doesn't the Superdome have a center-hung video board? I thought they had. of course, it's not as huge as Dallas'. Dallas' is 60 yards across.

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 2:45 PM by luke 12

It's a great video board but they are RETARDED for hanging it that low. How could they not think of that when the built it!?

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 3:03 PM by Deenels 13

Check out the TCF Bank Web Cam....it sure is a beautiful sight watching those college students file into the stadium....:)

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 4:36 PM by Fred 14

I went down to Target Field today and here is what I saw:

August 22nd, 2009 1:00pm
The canopy was nearly completed. Construction workers have started putting in the louvers. Most of the outfield and lower deck seats were installed. Construction workers have started installing seats in the right field upper deck. All of the limestone and windows were installed. Construction workers have started to make the 7th Street Bridge sidewalk wider. Construction workers have installed all of the scoreboards and ribbon boards. Construction workers have finished the extension of the light rail train. Construction workers have prepped the playing field for grass installation. Construction workers have installed a tall structure in center field. Some of the warning track on the playing field was installed. Construction workers have planted trees and bushes on the plaza.

I also took pictures, but i'm having trouble getting them on my computer.

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 7:21 PM by Michael 15

Just wondering how far of a walk it is from the Metrodome to TCF Bank Stadium? I would like to get some pictures when I am in town in a few weeks and figured I could walk over there before the Twins game.

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 9:49 PM by Mike Brumley 16

just doing some playing on Google Maps, here is what they say:
S 6th St

1. Head southeast on S 6th St toward 10th Ave S 0.2 mi
2. Turn left at 11th Ave S 0.3 mi
3. Turn right at Washington Ave S 0.3 mi
4. Turn left toward S 2nd St 417 ft
5. Turn right at S 2nd St 0.1 mi
6. Turn left at 19th Ave S 486 ft
7. Continue on 10th Ave SE 0.5 mi
8. Turn right at University Ave SE 1.0 mi

They estimate that to be about a 40 minute walk. They also post this disclaimer: Walking directions are in beta.
Use caution – This route may be missing sidewalks or pedestrian paths.

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 10:01 PM by luke 17

Only the heartiest of souls (soles) would want to actually walk from the Dome to TCFBS. It's not impossible, but pretty nearly. Don't bother.

Just jump on a #50 bus, which you can pick it up on the northwest corner of the Dome, and ride it until you see TCFBS a couple of blocks away on your left.

Check out Metro Transit to help plan your trip.

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 10:32 PM by Rick 18

firedog,

Ford Centre is not abandoned! It's jam-packed with small businesses, lots of photographers, graphic artists, non-profits and the like. It's really hard to summarize the type of businesses located there.

Long ago I had space on the 7th floor for my company. It was a great place to be, though it could use some renovation -- especially of the windows -- in places.

It's now owned by the Pohlads. If they choose to make it so, it could become one of the premiere office spaces in the city. It's already one of the coolest.

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 10:38 PM by Rick 19

I have to disagree with Rick's optimism that these northside lots will be redeveloped into restaurants and such. Most folks will park in the ramps or take light rail. Heading toward downtown where there are already lots of restaurants, bars and entertainment is natural. There is no reason for most people to head to and from the ballpark from that direction, thus no incentive to redevelop it. I just don't see it happening.

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 11:19 PM by The Truth Hurts 20

Two things: 1. The vacant green and yellow building was at one time the home to a great greasyspoon spot. I last ate there for breakfast well over twenty years ago. 2. One could also take the number 16 bus to make it to the Stadium Village area. This bus runs much more often than the number 50. Just get off at Oak Street.

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 11:25 PM by Sammy from the Midwa 21

I'm not sure I'm exactly optimistic that redevelopment will happen. But I see opportunity -- if the city and a savvy developer or two wish to capitalize on it.

One thing I forgot to mention in the post is that just across the freeway viaduct there is a lot of redevelopment taking place. Right now the freeway essentially chops the area into two parts. The north is getting attention, and the south is not. Once again, I smell opportunity for visionaries.

In truth, given what was promised versus what actually happened over at the Metrodome, I'm rather skeptical that anything significant will happen in the neighborhood unless the city actively encourages and aggressively pursues it. Based on political considerations and track record, the likelihood of city intervention is regrettably small.

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 11:29 PM by Rick 22

Sammy,

Yep. I think there may be other lines as well that run along that corridor. The Metro Transit site has a great trip planner that would make planning such a journey a snap.

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 11:30 PM by Rick 23

gt45tgt45

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 11:39 PM by rick 24

Idk why but part of me is gonna miss the dome because of all the homefield advantage we have there. It makes you wonder if the twins will still be able to win almost every home game in target field that they do in the dome.....

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 11:42 PM by dickey (aka rick) 25

im not THE RICK.........but ya my name is rick so sorry bought that rick..lol

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 11:44 PM by dickey (aka rick) 26

This message board isn't big enough for two ricks. lol.

Posted on August 23, 2009 at 12:41 AM by The Truth Hurts 27

Can we all just vote Rick into office to clean this crap up? If politicians had blogs that provided as much info and discussion as this one does, we'd all be better off.

Posted on August 23, 2009 at 01:16 AM by Common man 28

Well said Common Man... More people like Rick in office would be a Godsend to Minneapolis.

Posted on August 23, 2009 at 01:39 AM by Ffej 29

I walk from the U to the dome about four times a year and it does not take 40 minutes. It may take that long if you follow roads but it is very easy to cut through blocks and across sport fields.

Posted on August 23, 2009 at 02:21 AM by Entensify 30

awwww rick - i just got home and logged on just to see if you had posted your gopher football stadium review/pics.

me sad....................

:-(

Posted on August 23, 2009 at 02:30 AM by Betaband 31

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"You talk about the magic, the aura, but what really makes a stadium is the fans. Concrete doesn't talk back to you. Chairs don't talk back to you. It's the people who are there, day in, day out, that makes the place magic."

– Bernie Williams

Explore the Site

Here are 50 images chosen randomly from the 3004 found on this site. Click the image to be taken to the original post. A new list is created every 10 minutes.

TF: template-based?

A slightly different angle, and you can see some of the structural elements.

The former Ford manufacturing plant (now Ford Centre).

Instrument of evil.

The equivalent spot on the model.

Fencing is going up all along the plaza

A slightly different elevation drawing, again viewed from Fifth Street, with some labels. (Click to enlarge.)

Detail of the train tunnels (click to view the entire drawing)

A Killebrew tribute covers part of the wall where the entry doors are located near the escalators.

The future history of Minnesota ballparks will go here

Here's the entrance from the seating bowl.

A timeline of design and construction of the ballpark. (Click to enlarge. Photo by Tyler Wycoff)

Glass going in over the Oliva gate.

New section labels, but some curious choices.

Franchise history before Minnesota. (Click to enlarge.)

An early concept for the pedestrial bridge. (Source: Ballpark Authority, RP)

Skywalk over Seventh, looking back toward the parking ramp

Forbes Field

Click to enlarge greatly.

The shade of the canopy gives way to a brief shaft of light. It would do the same again a short while later when the sun passed through that tiny open sliver between the View and Terrace levels.