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MSFC Selects HKS, Mortenson To
Study Metrodome Retrofit Plan |
The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission (MSFC) Friday selected architect HKS and builder Mortenson to study how the Metrodome in Minneapolis can be rebuilt into a modern multi-use facility to accommodate the Vikings, NCAA basketball and college baseball. The deadline is March 1 for completing the first phase, determining how much of the existing stadium's infrastructure can be used for reconstruction. The commission also approved its memorandum of understanding with the Vikings detailing terms of the stadium's redevelopment. HKS beat out Ellerbe Becket, HOK Sport and 360 Architecture for the study. Mortenson got the nod over a Turner-Hunt-Kraus-Anderson joint venture. HKS, designer for Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and the Cowboys' new stadium in Arlington, will be the architect of record for the entire project should public financing be approved for a reconstructed venue, confirmed Steve Maki, the commission's Dir of Facilities & Engineering (
Don Muret, SportsBusiness Journal).
MOVING AHEAD: In Minneapolis, Estrada & Blake reported the MSFC "will pay about $2.5[M]" for the Metrodome study. MSFC members "favored Mortenson by a vote of 5-2," and they also voted 5-2 in favor of HKS, with two votes for Ellerbe Beckett. Funding and approval for a new Vikings stadium are "far from certain, but that is not stopping the [MSFC] from moving ahead with selecting companies to design and build a new facility." The MSFC hopes that "having the design and preliminary construction phase of the project done might make it easier to get" approval this coming year from legislators. Estrada & Blake noted Mortenson in the "past 20 years has built just about every major public and private professional and amateur sports facility in the Twin Cities." Mortenson Senior VP John Wood: "This is our back yard. There's a little extra pride in building things here" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 9/27). MSFC Commissioner Paul Thatcher, who opposed the selections of HKS and Mortenson, said that the "entire stadium-planning process was wrought with 'deceit, incompetence and contempt.'" Thatcher added that "even though the Vikings' Metrodome lease expires in 2011," there is "no need to rush a decision because a stadium plan is unlikely to reach the Legislature in 2009" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 9/26).
