Epic posting Rick. Well done!

Its too bad you're going to be gone for the grass installation...

Very well done. I especially like to see the past and present comparisons. It really gives a great perspective on how things change over time.

excellent post as always, Rick.

quick question - do you know if there will be a staircase connecting 2nd Ave up to the plaza on the corner of of 2nd and 6th St? This would be pretty much under the skyway. I've seen in some of the older renderings, but I can't tell if they're working on it or it has been scrapped.

Will they be doing this (grass Installation) under the lights?

agreed jared the old picture is really interesting seeing the change, i like it, great post rick

Great pics, Rick!

this was one of the best posts ever. the last photo captures the essence of tf in relation to the skyline: it sparkles like a subtle string of diamonds on the hottest girl ever.

Every time I walk around the park, it always strikes me just how small it appears. I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that it was built in the pit of Rapid Park, but it doesn't stick out as much as I thought it would, especially looking back to that one year ago picture.

Bravo Rick - also enjoyed that last picture.

I'm sure there's a good reason, but I wonder why they didn't make the plaza extension along 6th street next to the Target Center a little wider. Looks like there's a good 5-6 feet before the street curb. Perhaps they need to keep a street-level sidewalk right next to 6th. Just curious.

As far as installing under the lights I believe on the construction schedule on the website it says that the lights will be tested this fall. I am going to the boundary waters next week. It's going to be crazy to see the progress when I get back.

so from street level on 2nd Ave near 6th, you can get up to the plaza? ...you're right, it's hard to describe in words

Rick: Well done on this update. The natives appetite for Target Field pics/analysis has been satisfied for the time being. Where are you going on vacation? I'll be at TCF on Saturday as well. It'd be a pleasure to meet you.

Thank you for the update Rick.

Is it still confirmed that they will install flower beds on top of the outfield walls similar to Busch Stadium?

This is a repeat form previous forum, that got in late.

I'll be in Kansas City Saturday to take in the 6:10 game between the Royals and Twins at Kaufmann Stadium. If any of you are going and looking for something to do after the game, my band The Magnolias are playing at a club called Davey's Uptown around midnight. If you go, make sure to say hello !! Hope to see you there !!

cool, Rick. you're the best

Anybody else see this?

With these new plaza photos I'm wondering where and if there will be bands playing for pre-game events as they do now at the dome. And where would the radio and tv talkers set up? By the way - great job as usual Rick!!!

Thanks for that link. Nice article and awesome photos, particularly the overhead shots. I'm psyched for the grass install next week. The park is a gem.

Here are a couple tibits I read over at ballparkauthority.com Click my name for the complete August Monthly Project Status.

Swanson & Youngdale will be painting the new 6th Street Pedestrian Bridge next to Target Center.

Locker installation has begun in the Twins clubhouse.

Craig David has mobilized and begun installation of the "transit" artwork panel.

Burn-in and aiming for lights is scheduled for late September

Bowl facing glass installation continues and is to be completed in late August/early September

I too was wondering about where the Met flagpole will reside and when it's due to show up if at all.

Seems to me it would be entirely possible to restore it to it's original height by welding up the bottom to allow for proper installation. I bet someone knows the original height or could calculate it based on photos or other data.

Thanks Rick!

Awesome Rick!

Anyone know how they are going to handle the separation between the plaza and the sidewalk over there by 1st? The plaza goes up, the sidewalk goes down. What's in the middle? Bums? Trolls? Catacombs?

Very interesting to read the progress report from the BPA - thanks for the link. Cool SI.com article as well; looking at the picture of the 'overhang' in right - I didn't realize that it gradually 'hangs over' more and more as you progress toward center.

Can't wait to see this place in person.

That first pic on the SI collage is just beautiful. The colors of the limestone, the canopy, the outfield seating. Just awesome (and that doesn't include the skyline AT ALL!).

Thanks Rick!

Could you talk a little about proposed development (if any) north of the stadium along 5th & 7th?

The benefits south, being so close to downtown are evident. But north of the stadium is less than picturesque...HERC, old warehouses, etc. Are there plans for bars/restaurants/hotels?

Also, I heard rumors that Hennepin County would eventually like to move HERC. Have you heard that? If that would happen, the Twins would have a wonderful piece of land to develop!

Rick, I hope you don't mind, I took the liberty of "squirrelizing" one of your images. Click link.

Rick -- I am in awe. Thanks for a wonderful post and pictures.

some guy- quit being a dinosaur and get a real job!

lol - believe it or not, I'm working right now.

hey winona mike - green bay tv stations to carry 8 vikings games this year (click on my name for story).........i guess wisconsin is becoming vikings country. tell your brother!

all in good fun. ;-)

beta

I still cringe whenever I see Hrbek mentioned alongside the numbers of the superstars the Twins have retired. It's like one of those "Which One Doesn't Belong" puzzles we did as kids. What a joke.

It's the "local boy" precedent. The next one will be more deserving.

Hrbek's performances in the two World Series more than justify his retired jersey number, and to minimize his regular season's accompliments (one of the best defensive 1st baseman alltime, let alone his offensive stats)is just not right.

Hrbek performed rather poorly in both World Series. And although the Twins did have one of the greatest defensive first basemen of all time, that guy's name was Vic Power.

The retirement of Kent Hrbek's jersey in 1995 was a cynical move in the aftermath of the strike to boost attendance and curry public favor when the team was lousy and the local fans were extremely bitter. Hrbek was good, at times very good and great, but didn't deserve to have his jersey retired.

gimme a break. what's with all the Hrbek hate? what kind of Twins fan rips on a guy with two World Series rings? find a different topic

hmmm - no mention of LEED certification progress in the BPA report. previous reports have stated things like, "LEED certification being pursued . . . "

I was down by TF yesterday on my way to Epic for an event at 6pm. I took some shots on my phone, I'll try to get them on Slide or something (or Flickr) eventually...

Cool updated pictures on the ballpark authority website!

try this

firedog,
All I see is the old one from June...is there a newer one that I'm missing?

oops, nevermind...i figured it out...nice slide show indeed.

Thanks firedog. The best shot was the last one, the pan across the entire field, from behind home plate.

I can't wait till next months update when all the sod is installed and more seats, the park will almost look game ready.

Rick,

Yes, it's a result of the CMS (I used to work for the company that does the BA's site)

Looking at the wall right behind homeplate - it looks like the decorative limestone only extends about half-way around, the half closest to the Twins dugout is still bare concrete. Maybe they're going to finish this after the sod is installed, but I wonder if they've earmarked this space for ad boards, kind of like what I'm seeing behind homeplate at Kaufmann tonight.

This is my first shot at it, so I hope they work. Click my name for a link to a Flickr set of some shots I took yesterday.

One thing I noticed on the MBA picture of the louvers on 5th street...there is graffiti on one of the concrete blocks in the middle of the road...not much but future problem?

My beef with Hrbek stems from him being out of shape and constantly getting hurt while using his lack of conditioning as almost a badge of honor instead of seeing how it hurt both himself and the Twins. It also irked me that he largely got pass from the fans for this behavior due to being a local guy and a "character". He also hit into an inning ending double play with the bases loaded in the 8th during game 7 against the Braves in 1991. I've never been madder at a ballplayer than at that moment.

By the way, they sold the Dome Dog as a hot dog only minus the chips at the Vikes game tonight without lowering the price. To say folks were upset is an understatement. The explanation was this applies to Vikings games only, but no one knew exactly why the change was made.

I thought the Vikings that controlled the concessions...Maybe that has changed and the MSFC is in charge now. I just remember sitting in a suite during a Twins game and the catering company was operated by the Vikings...maybe they just do suite concessions...I don't know. All I know is the concessions at the Dome SUCK!

Hoping that one of the other Colorado folks can get up to Graff's and get pictures of the sod/trucks. Because of a recent surgery, I can't drive at the moment :(

"He (Hrbek) also hit into an inning ending double play with the bases loaded in the 8th during game 7 against the Braves in 1991. I've never been madder at a ballplayer than at that moment."

I'd have been madder still if Hrbek had hit into a 'Series Ending' double play. Thank goodness he didn't, and whether he's retired-number material or not, I'll always remember his grand slam during the '87 World Series. I also am one of those who believe he did nothing wrong other than to maintain the tag on the wrestling play at first in the '91 series. The announcers were saying that he lifted the runner's leg high enough for him to lose balance, but it looked to me like herbie was just maintaining the tag.