Warehouse District Ballpark Alternative

5th Street North and 3rd Avenue North, Minneapolis

Aerial View     Additional Information (Star Tribune)

This looks a little bit like the Riverfront ballpark pitched a few years ago, but it's drawn on the Warehouse site. It could be the best of both worlds.

The place is roof-ready, but would be built without one. It features the same great skyline view, and the same confluence of transportation and parking options. The drawing and descriptions of the plan all show a tunnel for the Northstar rail line to enter from the north, making this a hub for commuters, and a very direct shot for out-state folks who want to come to a game. Interestingly, the tentative plans call for using excess heat from the nearby garbage incinerator to provide warm seats on cold days. I'm not sure, but I think this would be a first!

Regrettably, financing doesn't seem any more coherent than ever, and the whole thing is rather unlikely to see the light of day. The land may remain a parking lot forever...

I have decided to overlook the mysterious disappearance of several signature skyscrapers.

My photo of the site from nearly the same angle as the drawing.