The Vikings' new U.S. Bank Stadium hosted its "first big event" last week, and the "overriding complaint" from fans was about long lines in and around the venue, according to Olson & Harlow of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. The longest lines "formed on light-rail platforms outside the downtown Minneapolis stadium" following a Chelsea-AC Milan exhibition soccer match. Complaints "flowed on social media" about the transit system, but "there were others" as well. While the "gleaming new stadium drew praise, its concourses were often left jam-packed with people waiting in line at food stands, sometimes only to find that vendors ran out of food." The crowding and the lines were "referred to as symptoms of the uneven debut" of a new building. Stadium officials "vowed that next time, things would go more smoothly." More than 13,700 fans "took light-rail trains to the match -- the most since the trains began special-events service" to concerts and Vikings, Twins and Univ. of Minnesota football games. Some fans faced "40-minute waits for chicken." Fans also "reported numerous other food service difficulties," as some "couldn’t find" the craft beer stations at the stadium. Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority Chair Michele Kelm-Helgen said, "What we have talked about and assessed is, last night was fairly unusual. A lot of people came at 6. People weren’t sitting; everybody was walking.” Olson & Harlow noted the building's "next test" comes Aug. 19 with a Luke Bryan concert (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 8/6).
BANK STATEMENT: Vikings co-Owner & President Mark Wilf said, "It’s been an exciting week, and I think the architecture and the field we’ve built is unique and something we’re very proud of. We can’t wait for fans to continue to experience it in the weeks ahead. We spent a lot of time looking at a lot of designs, and I think what (architectural firm) HKS did with the creativity of that clear roof and the dramatic doorways in the front, the largest pivoting doors in the world, and that outdoor feel in an indoor building, was such a unique design and such a great team. We couldn’t be more proud of this building.” Asked if the Vikings had other NFL stadiums in mind when building U.S. Bank, Wilf said, "No ... it's something unique in the NFL. ... It really is multipurpose" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 8/7).
