The Vikings will pay about $7.5M to build more party space at U.S. Bank Stadium "even before it opens," according to Rochelle Olson of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. The space sits in the upper level of the northeast corner of the stadium, an area "previously referred to as 'entombed' because it was walled off and unfinished." The area "will accommodate up to 904 fans, although the team had yet to determine what sort of packages will be sold for the area and what tickets will cost." Vikings Exec VP/Public Affairs & Stadium Development Lester Bagley called the 17,500-square-foot area an "exciting space, a place for fans to gather." He added that the space "will be flexible in terms of use, be visible from the bowl of the stadium and have a 'unique vantage point' on the field." Bagley went on to say that with construction of the stadium "slightly ahead of schedule and swift ticket sales," the Vikings decided to build out the area "immediately." The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, which owns the stadium, will pay $300,000 a year to the Vikings "for five years for access to the space." The $7.5M estimated cost for the additional space is "preliminary and isn't reflected" in the $592M the Vikings "have invested in the building so far." The new space will feature a "Lodge Bar" with food and a "more traditional drinks bar called the 'Truss Bar.'" Bagley said that the area "will be able to seat 292 people with space for an additional 612 fans standing" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/22).
TWIN PEAKS: The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Eliot Brown notes the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have built five major sports facilities since '90 that cost more than $2B, and now they are "readying for a sixth." A 20,000-seat, $150M MLS stadium will be built by '18 in St. Paul "about halfway between the two downtowns." Stadiums and arenas "have been multiplying for the past few decades" across the U.S., but the Twin Cities "have been particularly zealous." Locals attribute that in part to the "unusual political [dynamics] of having two cities adjacent to one another ... and a layering of other different governmental bodies that have given public aid." The T'Wolves, Wild, Twins, Vikings and Univ. of Minnesota football each have their own facility "with aid from a different governmental pocket" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 3/22).
