Mini Me: Twins Unveil Scale Model Ballpark To County Officials

The Twins yesterday unveiled a scale model of their new 40,000-seat, $390M ballpark to Hennepin County (MN) Board members, who next week will vote “on whether to accept or reject the design,” according to Heron Estrada of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. The “only real objection that commissioners raised” dealt with the lack of landscaping around the park. Twins Sports President Jerry Bell said, “We’re thrilled with the design. We wanted to have a Minnesota ballpark, and we think the look and feel of this ballpark is that. It has the river stone, the blue-green glass is reminiscent of the lakes ... and the outfield with the evergreen trees.” HOK Sport is building the ballpark and designed the model, and Senior Principal Earl Santee said that one of the “best features ... is that it will have easy access for pedestrians, drivers and riders of mass transit.” Santee added that the “signature design element of the stadium will be the crescent-shaped canopy that will sit atop the structure.” Santee: “The canopy is the iconic piece. It will look like a halo above the stadium.” Estrada reports the ballpark will also include knotholes “placed purposely around the stadium so people outside can catch a glimpse of the games inside.” Santee said, “We’re trying to find creative niches for people to hang out in.” Bell said that the team is “committed to paying any cost overruns that might surface” before the ballpark opens before the 2010 season. Bell: “If we have to pay more to build the ballpark, the quality won’t suffer” (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 10/31). In St. Paul, David Hanners notes the model included “some new elements, such as a picnic area in center field” and a right-field upper deck that “juts over the field” (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 10/31).