Comments

I think they want the facade to appear taller because this exterior is very horizontal.

That second pic is awesome. Just shows how interesting these glass & steel cantilevered sections will be.

Posted on July 19, 2008 at 09:29 AM by Lafferty

I know at some of the newer ballparks, they number the seats starting on the homeplate side of the section so that seat 1 is closer to homeplate and seat 20 is further down the LF/RF line.

It will be much easier to navigate in the new stadium with the open (and much wider) concourses, along with the fact that sections will not be as wide as they are in the Metrodome.

As for the LRT concerns, so many fans currently walk downtown from the Metrodome to hop on the train to avoid having to stand in line at the Metrodome Station. As a result, the trains are much more filled by the time they actually get to the Metrodome Station.

At the new ballpark, that will be the end of the Hiawatha Line, so it will be impossible for people to walk further down the line and hop on the trains. This means all trains will be (or at least should be) empty by the time they load at the new ballpark. I am hoping this will help alleviate those problems. Also, I think they will need to have two, three, or even four trains on standby for when the game does end so that those trains can fill up as soon as the game is over. That should help control that "initial" big crowd following the game.

I am still concerned that the new LRT platform at the new ballpark is going to be much smaller than the current platform at the Metrodome Station. All we can do is wait and see come 2010, but hopefully they have enough empty trains sitting at the new ballpark to get the people loaded quickly following the games.

Posted on July 19, 2008 at 11:26 AM by Luke H.

It also looks like the LRT extension to the ballpark goes past the stop and curls down around HERC and along 6th Ave N - across the street from the large Metro Transit facility.

I imagine they are planning to store trains there (it's not a stop), so following ballgames "empty" trains will come in to take fans home or for the evening rush hour as well.

Posted on July 19, 2008 at 11:59 AM by barryS

Rick - while you may have not been able to hear the traffic under the plaza, we'll have to wait for Nick Coleman's report on this issue to know for sure.

As for the blind spots, this has been a concern of mine since the plans were first released for the stadium (I've commented on it a few times on this site). I think the areas behind home plate will have blind spots in the opposite corners of the outfield and the right field section will not be able to see all of right field due to the overhang of the stands.

Posted on July 19, 2008 at 3:11 PM by IowaWigman

Rick-

As far as the light rail, Metro Transit is hoping to have 3-car trains trains operating by 2010. This means a 50% increase in the number of people getting in each train.

Posted on July 19, 2008 at 7:23 PM by Andrew

has anyone heard whether or not the northstar will operate after twins games? the same old line has been used for years: "possible special events trains."

before i go: i see a parallel between this stadiumm's construction and this year's team. while the building is going up nicely, so is the team. starting pitching is stronger than anyone thought; gomez, casilla, and buscher came out of nowhere; and mauer and morneau are having mvp years. i concede that the moves in the off season were spot on (i haven't heard anyone whining about losing hunter and trading santana in awhile...).

well, done, rick. your blog is a part of my breakfast.

Posted on July 19, 2008 at 10:41 PM by yeahklye

interesting thoughts on LRT & capacity at the new ballpark.

however, let's hope we don't need to worry about trains getting filled up at all at once immediately after each game is over. i understand some people just have to start heading home after games for various reasons, but my belief is - especially now being in the west end of downtown/warehouse district where there is much more nightlife - that many more people will instead "hoof it" over to the warehouse district & various parts of downtown minneapolis to patronize local public houses, clubs, etc.

Posted on July 19, 2008 at 10:50 PM by Betaband

I didn't even care about Hunter because I saw an interview where Hunter said the only way to keep him was to "pay me", and like it was said before, he will be a burden on the payroll in a corner by the time his contract was up. I thought us fans meant someting to him and his love of the game was not about money...I was wrong. As for Santana, how do you justify spending the kind of money he wanted when he only pitched every 5 games, or about 32 of the 162 games? With all that money left over and we got players that can play all 162 games to help us win...Not a bad choice by the twins. Silva wasn't my favorite either. As for the new uniforms will go in 2010, let's hope they are nothing like these , haha(click link).

Posted on July 19, 2008 at 11:42 PM by Tom

The two players I was sad to see go were Bartlett and Garza (no, not Lew Ford or Jason Tyner). I thought Delmon Young would be good though, but until recently, that wasn't the case. Now, back to the ballpark, I think that the limestone looks awesome! With the different colors it kinda reminds me of the ouside of the Met with all of the multiple colors in a pattern(and the double deck outfield stands also help to make it look like a modern day Metropolitan Stadium...I love it!

Posted on July 19, 2008 at 11:50 PM by Tom

I know that some folks here aren't big fans of the pictures provided by the Ballpark Authority, however, here is the link for the latest updates for those that might be interested.

Posted on July 20, 2008 at 09:23 AM by Mo

from the renderings/videos, I thought that the planter boxes on the plaza looked like they were going to be made out of, or at least have the outside of limestone. Guess not...

Posted on July 20, 2008 at 1:24 PM by Tom

Tom,

I forgot to mention that the panels going up on the facade are only one form in which limestone is being installed.

There will be other limestone accents throughout the park (including on the plaza) which will be installed in a more traditional fashion and much later in the process.

Posted on July 20, 2008 at 1:39 PM by Rick

Rick - Do you know when those big yellow things supporting the restaraunt are going to be taken down?

Posted on July 20, 2008 at 3:59 PM by Brandon

i just saw a flyover of anaheim stadium and it looks like an oasis in the parking lot. i'm really happy that the new twins ballpark will show off the city that it calls home.

Posted on July 20, 2008 at 5:07 PM by annoying customer

They can only fit 3 stones per truck load?

Posted on July 20, 2008 at 5:10 PM by Confused

I think the Twins should incorporate some of the lighting system that Target uses on its headquarters building into the ballpark. Either on the glass sections of the exterior, the canopy , or even the skyway across the plaza. After a game the park could glow different colors depending on whether the team won or lost.

I also think the target center is going to put up some time square esque advertising along the corner that faces the plaza. Downtown advertising space that is also visible in the ballpark and on TV just seems too prime to pass up.

Posted on July 20, 2008 at 5:20 PM by Evan A.

The canopy will be lighted with differant colors with LED, GO NORTHERN LIGHTS YARD!!!

Posted on July 20, 2008 at 6:43 PM by Tom

I like northern lights yard sounds good.

Posted on July 20, 2008 at 6:53 PM by Jared

In regards to the different lighting schemes that the ballpark will have. Does anyone know if they will be accenting the trees and planters with spot lights or anything. It would be really cool to have the trees in the plaza up lit.

Posted on July 20, 2008 at 9:07 PM by Jeff

I'd prefer Land O' Lakes Park, or Field, but please no "Yard".

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 08:24 AM by luckylager

Evan, do you know for sure that Target Center is moving forward with the mentioned advertising?

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 09:28 AM by JohnK

No, no. Simply pure speculation on my part.

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 10:25 AM by Evan A.

I'm with you luckylager. I hate "yard" this isn't London. I prefer "field" but "park" would be fine also.

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 10:49 AM by kevin in az

what about oriole park at camden yards? baltimore isn't london....

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 10:56 AM by annoying customer

One thing our park has in common with Baltimore (and several other recent parks) is that it's being built on former rail yards.

In the case of Baltimore, the neighborhood has always been known as Camden, and the ballpark sits squarely in what was known for over a century as "Camden Yards" (meaning "the rail yards in Camden"). The naming process for that project is described in some detail in "Ballpark" by Peter Richmond (click my name).

Alas, the area the Twins are building in never seems to have had such a catchy name. Even if it had, I suspect that modern stadium economics would have won out anyway.

In Minneapolis, one of the only neighborhoods to develop a catchy name from its nearby rail yard is "Dinkytown" -- named for the smaller engines called "Dinkies" used to move cars around in the yard.

A former portion of that yard (which was and still is VERY large) is where you'll find the new Gopher Stadium. But it will carry a most modern name which, in this case, is probably preferable...

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 11:19 AM by Rick

annoying - the ballpark - as you note, is Oriole Park. It's location is Camden Yards - I.E. a rail yard (click on my name). Hence the name, Oriole Park AT Camden Yards. The media, for some reason, has picked Camden Yards as the common vernacular for the ballpark, rather than the actual name, Oriole Park.

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 11:21 AM by Moose97

I've been concerned about the Hiawatha platform ever since I first saw the proposal. I hope that the Northstar waiting area will be a little more spacious and some people can head down there to wait if the LRT platform is jammed. I can imagine vendors in the Northstar area that folks could take advantage of.

Remember that Central Corridor trains will also pull into the ballpark station. And SW LRT (when it's up and running in 2016) will be through-routed to St. Paul. So we potentially have riders from four geographic areas (SW suburbs, NW suburbs / St. Cloud, S suburbs, St. Paul) waiting at the two platforms. This is a good thing, but people traffic will need to be managed very well.

barryS, where do you see the extension going over near the Heywood garage? I've not heard that before.

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 11:36 AM by David

We've talked park names and uniforms a lot on this site, and that leads me to believe people have strong interest in both subject. I would love to see the Twins either gather opinions or even hold a vote (or contest?) to help decide the name of the new stadium. I'm sure naming rights will go to a corporation, but at least fans could have a say to name it "park", "stadium", "grounds", "field", etc.

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 11:37 AM by OG Jeff

I know that it's Oriole Park AT Camden Yards. Based on luckylager's and kevin in az's comments about how they do not want "yard" in some instances, yard is appropriate.

I am not saying that the new Twins park should be a yard or even a grounds but rather a park or field. They need to name it already so we can stop jumping on each other about what it should be named.

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 11:38 AM by annoying customer

About the LRT station at the ballpark. I agree that there is not enough space for fans to wait to aboard the train after the game. It appears to be less than half the size of tha plaza at the Dome, and that is a disaster after games as it is. Perhaps they can have a waiting line run from the platform down the HERC side of the park... The waiting line could go all the way down to 7th street if need be. This could work...

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 0:06 PM by J2K

Rick--Question on transit--has there been any discussion about busing to the stadium--for instance, I live near the 61 route, which has its last pickup downtown (near the new stadium) at about 10pm, which wouldn't always work. I would hope that the bus schedules will change on game days. I also think that it would be a great idea to run shuttles from Rosedale, Southdale, etc.

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 0:16 PM by ew

It was in disagreement with anything said on here. I just have heard the term "yard" used by some on here and I don't think they understand how Oriole Park and Camden Yards got its name. There will be a railroad and light rail interstection at this ballpark, but it's still not a rail yard. The term "yard" used in Great Britain is used for park. It would be nice to keep this place as local as possible. Are there any parks in the Twin Cities area called "________ Yard?"

I equate the term "yard" in this instance with HOK creating bogus history with all of their throwback ballparks which are anything but throwback.

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 0:26 PM by kevin in az

My above comment should read it WASN'T in disagreement with anything said by one particular person, I've just heard the term Yard thrown out there.

Some of these sound okay, but I worry about the names getting too wordy.

Great River Park at North Loop Station

Land o Lakes Field at Northstar Crossing

Waste Management Ballpark at The Incinerator??????

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 0:39 PM by kevin in az

My biggest fear is that someone in the Twins brass would find it neat to partner with Met Life and call it the Met. Those of us who grew up with the Met believes there's only one Met and it cannot be replaced.

If there's anyone at the Twins currently thinking of this, STOP and get the 2nd webcam up and running instead.

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 0:48 PM by kevin in az

So the Twins own the domain to Northern Lights Park/Field/Yards. I like the sound of any of those names, but what company is Norhtern Lights?

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 0:49 PM by Lafferty

Kevin, I agree with what you're saying about naming this park a 'yard.' However, this site has just as much of a claim to be a current and former 'yard' as Camden does (see pic in link).

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 1:19 PM by Alex B.

That's good Alex, so let's stick with the now. This is no longer a rail yard so let's not call it something that it's not. This ballpark is about the future, not the past. I just want the Twins to continue with that theme.

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 1:26 PM by kevin in az

Annoying Customer: Sorry if I made you thing I was "jumping all over you". That was not my intent. I was just opining. I hate when corporations think they need to add a european element to lend sophistication to a project. Like the annoying British voice on the airport trams. This is Minnesota damnit!!

I'd like to know where the "Northern Lights" name comes from too.

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 1:26 PM by luckylager

Agreed. Camden Yards works because it harmonizes with the old warehouse and can legitimately lay claim to that kind of a name - part of the reason it sticks with fans and media, IMO.

This park, despite a similar location, doesn't have that same connection, and shouldn't try to emulate it.

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 1:32 PM by Alex B.

Yes Alex, you definitely get my point. Camden Yards was a very appropriate name at the time. HOK began its streak of building throwback ballparks when it designed Oriole Park. A throwback ballpark should carry a name of historical meaning of the area. The Twins ballpark is not a throwback ballpark at all. To the Twins credit, they have designed a very modern, futuristic ballpark and for that type of modern buiding to have an old railyard name attached to it seems silly.

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 1:36 PM by kevin in az

luckylager, are you sure you're not my twin?? I just busted out laughing at your airport tram comment. Last time I was up there I took the tram and I blurted out, "What the hell is this, London?"

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 1:38 PM by kevin in az

Great River Park at North Loop Station

I like it!!!

lets get that 2nd web cam for kevs sake!

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 2:13 PM by mazaratirick

I definitely know how Oriole Park at Camden Yards got its name, as I have been there on several ocasions and walked from the downtown harbor to Oriole Park and know that the district is known as Camden Yards, and yes, we have a rail yard as well. I just think that park, field are done at all the new ballparks and isn't that what we are trying to get away from, doing what everyone else does? I just thought that it would sound different that everyone else, that's all...

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 2:18 PM by Tom

Indeed. To take it further, the rail yard the Twins park sits on never had the kind of name recognition that Camden Yards had or has. Camden Yard is still a station for Maryland's Commuter Rail system.

Really, the site probably has more name-recognition as the Rapid Park site, and while there's value in attaching your name to the sentimentality associated with old railroads, there's not a whole lot of value in doing so with surface parking lots.

It's all moot anyway. Personally, when we saw some of the web domains the Twins had registered preemptively, I liked Allianz Park - they've got a history with cool and modern sporting venues (see link)

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 2:19 PM by Alex B.

Rapid Park on Basset's Creek?

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 3:06 PM by David

no worries lager and i totally agree with you and kevin on the light rail voice. maybe they do it because the british accent tends to be "soothing" which will help you forget that the trains are running late....

i brought this up in a much earlier post about the trains and how an extra track to allow for an extra train to be waiting. my main example was pge park in portland, or. for the westbound trains there is a staging track (see link for the google map) and the eastbound and westbound stations are a block apart. this allows many more people to maneuver for the trains.

i also hope they have it so your game day ticket counts as your fare on the bus/train. imagine how much easier that would be after the game! no waiting five bajillion minutes (i have a metropass so i'm set) to buy a ticket and then fight your way onto the train!

time to get back to work...

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 3:08 PM by annoying customer

Not really a fan of the name Allianz. Feels too corporate and I don't really like when two stadiums have the same name, corporate or otherwise.

I'm kinda surprised Travelers Field/Park isn't getting any love. It sounds more natural than a Best Buy or Allianz, and it really fits the transportation thing goin on.

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 3:39 PM by Lafferty

I'll probably just call it the loop. Or the station. or whatever name that grows organicly. Whatever informal name it gets will be coined, adopted, and used by the fans without us having to ponder over it before it happens. Fun to guess, but my thoughts is that we are way off from what it will be in the end.

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 4:04 PM by moda253

Great River Park at North Loop Station. Isn't THAT the truth. The ballpark is located at a transportation hub, and the planners need to accomodate large numbers of people wanting to board the LRT.

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 4:39 PM by Dave T

I just hope the name is simple. No offense guys, Land O Lakes Park at Northstar Crossing makes me want to puke. Keep it ________ Park or Field. no pretentious "at" need be involved. just my opinion

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 4:55 PM by Don T

Lafferty - i am with you on the Travelers Field/Park name. i like it. seems to roll off the tounge pretty well and sounds kind of "old fashioned" in a way. almost not corporate even though it is.

travelers official world/corporate headquarters is in downtown st. paul correct?

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 5:18 PM by Betaband

guys, i'm pretty confident that the twins won't get too grotesquely busy with the name of this ballpark. the name deserves to be small, conpact like the site it sits on & i'll bet they know that.

before I go: scott baker, don't be so mean! nice outing yesterday.

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 5:45 PM by yeahklye

Just out for a bike ride and was shooting by the plaza on 3rd avenue, and was suddenly distracted -- as my eyes teared up, I panicked -- there WAS a terrible smell. It was like baby diapers, yep, the distinct smell of hot humid trash. This could not be, I thought. Nick can't be right I kept repeating in my head. The smell suddenly got stronger as though it was right under my nose -- and I realized it WAS under my nose. The Target center dumpsters are under the plaza walkover on 3rd, and wow do they stink really really bad. Seriously, go check them out next time you're there. Oh yeah, and then I biked all the way around the HERC and didn't smell a thing, so suck it Coleman.

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 7:36 PM by mplsgreg

I meant 2nd avenue, not 3rd.

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 7:37 PM by mplsgreg

I, for one, am quite familiar with the Target Center dumpsters, and actually mentioned them in my comment on Coleman's column over at the Strib site. They simply have to go!

There are also a few choice sewer drains in the area that are To Be Avoided.

But the HERC? Fresh as a daisy.

The Twins are now saying that they might be able to harness steam to create electricity for the ballpark (as opposed to earlier plans for heating and/or cooling).

It's still in the investigative phase.

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 8:05 PM by Rick

Reusse at the Star Trib with an article about the Vikes stadium. I agree 100% to save as much money as possible by not having a roof so we can lock up the Vikes for 30 years.

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 9:45 PM by bmd

bmd - if you can read fat pat reusse's filth and agree with any of it then i am sorry to say that you probably need your head examined.

he does nothing but take pot-shots at our pro sports team just to generate hits on his articles so his fat-arse can keep his job. pretty classless individual with not much writing talent if you ask me.

:-)

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 10:51 PM by Betaband

bmd - just to be clear. i wasn't commenting above^ on the merits of a new vikes stadium in downtown minneapolis one way or the other. for the sake of disclosure i am all for building a new retractable roof facility in downtown minneapolis.

i was purely sharing my well studied opinion on the waste of space & air that is pat reusse.

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 10:57 PM by Betaband

rick (and really anyone else who wants to respond to this one),

those of us who have actually visited the site of the new twins ballpark fully understand that there is no smell emitted or harmful debris released by the HERC facility.

it is just steam and that is it.

that being said i would like to know your honest opinion on the following two questions considering you have followed this area pretty closely and also seem to know some people (twins org & otherwise) who would have a solid perspective on it.

1.) assuming they don't go and try to hook it up all over downtown more than it currently is will the HERC facility be moved to a new location somewhere else in downtown to open up that valuable space for more worthwhile development?

2.) if so, what do you see as a realistic timeline of this happening? 2 to 3 years? 5 years? More than 5 years?

thanks in advance to all who share their thoughts on this one!

Beta

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 11:05 PM by Betaband

What the state should really do is buy a bunch of land in either the south metro such as Rosemount, Apple Valley, Burnsville (or even partner with Shakopee) or north metro such as Blaine and put a state-run casino in there with some hotels surrounded by a big parking lot. Put the stadium in the middle of that lot and let the proceeds of the casino pay for it.

Yes, this is easier said than done. But over the course of a few years, the casino revenues would raise so much money for the state. The land would be an investment and would appreciate in value. You might have some infrastructure issues to deal with as well, but the general idea behind such a plan would be a nice idea for the state.

It would also bring back tailgating. They could always expand the casino/hotel as well as add an amusement park or race track type of thing for the spring/summer months. Design the stadium so it can eventually add a roof when the economy (hopefully) turns around in a few years. This way you can get your Super Bowl and Final Four.

I realize this all sounds too good to be true right now and its much easier said than done, but the basic idea of building a state-run casino in the middle of a big lot with a stadium makes good sense to me. I would much rather have my casino money go towards the state than to the private Tribes. If you want to have big dividends pay off in the long term, you must be willing to invest initially and take some risks. I don't know why the state was so opposed to the Canterbury slots for the Twins stadium back in the 90's.

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 11:22 PM by Mike Tlougan

Betaband I agree with you reusse is bad I had to read it cuz the title was about the vikes stadium, if you have ever seen the sports show on sunday nights he is quit annoying but then again they all are.

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 11:25 PM by bmd

bmd - yes, i have seen "the sports show" on the CW-Twin Cites on sunday nights. i do agree that it is usually quite annoying to listen to most of them, but primarily reusse.

sometimes the other hosts have some decent points they are making then reusse chims in like the retard he is and just ruins the show with his negative venom.

if i was on that show i would seriously tell pat to STFU just about every episode. i don't know how i wouldn't.

it is weird. it is almost like his fat-ass intimidates some of the other hosts. not sure why. he probably can't move too quick. reusse is like a sea manatee that somehow managed to learn how to walk upright and live on land!

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 11:41 PM by Betaband

^lol^

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 11:49 PM by bmd

"a sea manatee" -- I'm laughing, too.

Before answering, Betaband, I should state that I have absolutely no inside knowledge on anything about the HERC plant. But I have eyes and ears and the ability to add up two and two.

First, I can't help but notice that the Twins decided to put expensive limestone on the western facade -- the side which is only visible from the HERC. In some ways it's a nicer facade than the one on Fifth Street, which will be seen by every rail rider and a lot of drivers. It's hard to imagine them doing this if they thought that side would remain unseen forever.

Further, at one Hennepin County Board meeting I attended, there was an interesting exchange in which Mike Opat all but came right out and said that the HERC would be gone in 10 years.

So I think everyone is making plans under the assumption that the HERC will eventually be moved or scrapped.

That could be affected by a lot of things. One of those is that many people consider the HERC experiment to have been a rousing success. They burn garbage (thus keeping it out of landfills) and generate some electricity as a result. All that is good.

But economics will always have the final say. By siting the stadium where they did, the county stands to reap quite a windfall someday from the sale of that land, even if they sell to the Twins.

Gee, I wonder if anybody realized that during the whole process...

As far as I'm concerned, that's THE perfect spot for the next ballpark. So whatever gets built there after the HERC is gone has to be something with a lifespan of 20-30 years. Certainly not housing, maybe retail (restaurants, souvenirs, etc.).

I think that a casino is a real longshot. Minnesotans love to gamble but they hate casinos. Go figure.

Plus, if the MLB won't put a franchise in Vegas because of the risk of betting on games, the Twins sure as hell won't want something like that in their back yard. (I also think there's some sort of a deal in place with the tribes about who can build casinos and where.)

My crystal ball isn't crystal clear on the subject. But I'd guess that after the new park has been open for two or three years, Hennepin County will decide to make some sort of major change to the HERC. This will trigger a bunch of deal-making. The Twins will buy the land and put something low-rise or maybe another plaza on it.

Just my guess.

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 01:32 AM by Rick

Rick, if the Twins are now saying that they might be able to harness steam to create electricity for the ballpark or the plans for heating and/or cooling, what will happen when the HERC is gone? Will they have to rewire the place for regular electricity or heating/cooling units or just have a new power source when the HERC is gone and use all of the original pipes/wire?

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 04:15 AM by Tom

I think the evolution of how they talk about the ballpark interacting with the HERC also supports the idea that they think it will one day be gone.

If they were getting steam to heat the seats, losing the HERC would be a big deal. But that notion was essentially DOA.

If all they're getting is electricity, well you can just turn up the juice somewhere else (so to speak) if that source goes away.

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 10:17 AM by Rick

You know, if there is no 2nd webcam going in, can we at least get a single webcam with decent resolution? There is a lot of detail going on right now but you try to zoom in and you can't tell if you're playing an Atari game or watching ballpark construction.

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 10:59 AM by Webcam Whiner

Man we need a web cam!!! DSP is a fraud!!!

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 11:05 AM by Cal in Tempe

Interesting article from the Downtown Journal, which adds some more food for thought in terms of what the area around the ballpark should be called.

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 11:26 AM by Mo

no kidding. he said way back in May that the 2nd webcam will be up "in the coming weeks" or something similar. he shoulda just said "eh, maybe this year"

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 11:44 AM by Don T

I think that maybe we should take action, I am going to the target center 2marrow night for a concert and will scope out the area and wouldent it be funny if i got a web cam going and linked it to this site b4 Dave could get Telly to go hook one up

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 0:57 PM by mazaratirick

what's at the target center tomorrow night mazaratirick?

can an architect tell me why the entire steel structure is built cantilevered? On the model and renderings, it appears as though limestone-facade structure is underneath 80% of the restaurant and only the walkout balcony is truly cantilevered? if the whole thing is not going to look like it's floating, what's the use in building it that way?

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 1:46 PM by mplsgreg

Tom Petty

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 2:03 PM by mazaratirick

As I say, "The Waiting is the Hardest Part" for this new ballpark to open in 2010!

Also, my hope is that the HERC plant will indeed be "Free Fallin" within 10 years!

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 2:08 PM by The Heartbreaker

And we can tell the yankees "dont come arond here no more"... ok that was just bad.. sorry

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 2:10 PM by mazaratirick

The Twins have been "Runnin' Down a Dream" for a long time now...

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 2:22 PM by Rick

I think that when the HERC is gone, they sould make some huge grand staircase stretching the whole length of the HERC side promenade. Maybe put some bars and shops down there or parking and people could congregate there on the staircase and promenade while waiting for the LRT. I think that a new stadium there in the future would have to also face the skyline, but why think about that now when we are so excited for this puppy to open up. We could keep it for more than 30 years, it's not like it's the Metrodome, it's outside and Yankee and Wrigley and Fenway are all gems. We could keep it for 60 or more. On another note, maybe they could remodel the top of the Multifoods building so that the top could taper off like the Wells Fargo Center and use cool lighting on it to accent the thing so it isn't so ugly. We are gonna be showing the ass-end of the skyline to the whole world, so I'll take whatever remodeling we can get of the shitstack.

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 3:44 PM by Tom

Woah, give the so-eloquently-titled "shitshack" a break. By the way, its given names are Multifoods Tower and 33 South Sixth if you haters ever feel so educationally inclined. Every skyline needs -and has- one of these. Denver's is even taller, and the color even more brown. Atlanta has two stumpy ones right next to each other. Without it's humble simplicity and grace-absent shell, we'd all have fatigue from cutsy glass and steel structures hovering over us. I guess in my opinion, tt really helps strike a balance.

At least we won't have the great wall of Thrivent staring back at the park...who approved that building anyway?

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 4:46 PM by JohnK

The shitstack looks fine from other angles of the skyline when its behind other buildings but from the new ballpark angle it is the dominant building and that really sucks.

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 4:53 PM by Jared

Rick, I like the new photo for the website intro. I was looking at the web cam today, and it occurred to me that at some point construction will have to stop somewhere in left center field, so trucks and materials can enter the site. Does anybody know what the plan is exactly for this.

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 4:54 PM by John

Good job Rick with the new photo for the page heading! That is a nice perspective (that we haven't seen much of yet)looking to the north and east from outside the stadium behind homeplate.

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 5:04 PM by Luke H.

As I have said before, I would like the new Viking stadium where the HERC plant is. But it looks like the Vikes are going to want one before then, so in that case, I think a parking lot (WITH TAILGATING!) and a nice open plaza. Maybe some stadium souvineer shops?

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 6:30 PM by Brandon

as much as i know some of you would like a vast parking lot for tailgating i just don't see the HERC space being used/sold for such a purpose. especially not outside a baseball stadium. if it was a football stadium then maybe that's a different story. there will be some kind of structure or structures built on it if and hopefully when the HERC facility is moved elsewhere in minneapolis.

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 6:48 PM by Betaband

mplsgreg-I was wondering why the cantilever is so long as well, but I think because they could not support a big concrete form from below because there is a road there. Probably too much pressure in the middle of the plaza.

John-It is funny you mention the path for the trucks in center field. I was wondering why they were stalling so long out there with no progress. I noticed that on the original construction video, this part was done BEFORE some of the things that being done right now. I wonder if they forgot they needed a place to deliver materials? Surely they don't want trucks driving on the ground where they laid new concrete.... oh and coincidentally the link for the construction video doesn't work anymore on the Twins site.

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 7:03 PM by Brian

The Twins have updated the ballpark timeline (more details)....click my name to see.

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 10:28 PM by MOJO

JohnK, did you design the "multifoods" tower? Jeeez, if you're an architect why don't you take a break defending the ugliest building in MPLS and answer Brian and my question about the cantilever. Just kidding, but seriously, are you an architect?

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 10:31 PM by mplsgreg

thanks mojo. are you sure this is the most "up to date" version of the timeline?

the tearing down of the multifoods tower since it ruins a good portion of the view of the vastly superior wells fargo tower is not included anywhere in it!

:-)

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 10:56 PM by Betaband

Maybe when they blow up the Metrodome, they can also blow up the shitstack.

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 11:08 PM by kevin in az

I must compliment you on the new banner, Rick. Thanks again for all the hard work you do to keep this site moving forward.

It makes the process much more exciting for us ballpark nerds.

Posted on July 23, 2008 at 07:36 AM by OG Jeff

Rick, Love the new banner as well, I have never really seen that angle yet.

Lets see, no 2nd web cam and now the vido stream is down...make you wonder whats going on over there on Puckett place

Posted on July 23, 2008 at 08:00 AM by Mazaratirick

if i dont have to see the word shitstack in this forum again i'll be happy. it's a brown building, deal with it. how are the buildings beyond the outfields at wrigley? yankee stadium? real architectural wonders there? chicago has a ton of mundane, boring towers within their canyon of downtown skyscrapers. All cities do.

Posted on July 23, 2008 at 10:08 AM by Tim

SHITSTACK !!

Posted on July 23, 2008 at 10:35 AM by John

Stack of Shit

Posted on July 23, 2008 at 10:49 AM by Shitstack

Let's just be thankful we will be in the great outdoors and will have buildings to look at rather than a white teflon roof surrounded by by blue seats in a very sterile environment.

Posted on July 23, 2008 at 11:32 AM by Mike Thompson

Webcams are like fireworks you only need one.... and they are spendy!! come on down to the dome next week and the 1st 36 kids under 13 but over 12 get a mike lamb bat....offer ends 3 hours prior to gametime!

Posted on July 23, 2008 at 0:47 PM by Carl Pohlad

Found a good site overview of the Northstar Ballpark Station on Flickr courtesy of Northstar Commuter Rail.

Posted on July 23, 2008 at 1:41 PM by Mo

i need to find myself an "american 'league' girl"....

Posted on July 23, 2008 at 2:17 PM by annoying customer

It looks like they put a flag up where the pitchers mound will be.

Posted on July 23, 2008 at 3:56 PM by Lafferty

I'll I can say is, Francisco better be on the next bus headed for Cleveland!!

I think they should be able to find a spot now.

Posted on July 23, 2008 at 4:43 PM by Jon

If they can't win on the road, this will be a long second half.

Posted on July 23, 2008 at 4:53 PM by Tom

That is why I REALLY think we need to get a trade done for a veteran, power hitting 3B. I that, and maybe the addition of a set-up man like Arthur Rhodes, would put us over the top, and make winning on the road in places like BOS, CHI, NY, LA more likely...

I wouldn't mind parting with some youngsters because the team we currently have is VERY young. So we shouldn't need as much help from our minor leaguers...

Posted on July 23, 2008 at 6:26 PM by Brandon

You know things are not going good when you get beat by SIDNEY PONSON of all guys...

Posted on July 23, 2008 at 11:10 PM by Luke H.

Brandon, Arthur Rhodes? I've seen way too many games where that guy couldn't buy an out. Forget about it. After watching the Twins get swept by both Boston and New York within the last couple of weeks, it reminded me of every playoff series the Twins have been involved in this decade. Hang close for 5 or 6 innings, then collapse and lose. The team is just too young and too many mental mistakes. None of these young starters are ready to take the pressure that Jack Morris did in Game 7 in the 1991 World Series. Now 2010 could be a different story.

Posted on July 24, 2008 at 01:42 AM by John

Just to add, I do know that the only series this decade that the Twins won was against Oakland. Then they lost to the Angels, who went on to win the World Series.

Posted on July 24, 2008 at 01:50 AM by John

Im not sure what your favorite team is but mine is the twins, and the twins are never buyers in the trade market only sellers... so everybody can get it out of thier head that a trade is going to happen. The twins have needed a power hitting righty for atleast 7 years now and they always stand pat... why go trade and up the payroll when these cheap kids are doing much better than expected? that is the Twins way...

there is a better chance of brett farve quarterbacking the vikes in lambu on monday night football this year than the twins making a move for any thing other than a "jeff cirillo" type...honestly I dont even think they will do that.

Posted on July 24, 2008 at 07:47 AM by mazaratirick

Can Brett Favre hit home runs from the right side of the plate? Maybe the Twins should sign him.

Posted on July 24, 2008 at 08:56 AM by OG Jeff

Quick update from the ballpark authority:

Closures: Ballpark construction requires closing two lanes at the east end of the 7th Street Bridge by the intersection with 3rd Avenue North to allow for slab construction of the Team Store. There’ll be numerous trucks pulling up to off-load materials.

The closures are Friday-July 25th at 5 am until 3pm and Monday-July 28th from 5am to 3pm. One lane of through traffic will remain open but the 7th Street Bridge sidewalk will close to pedestrians.

Posted on July 24, 2008 at 09:05 AM by J2K

They just got done pouring the cement for the first level of the administrative building in left field.

Posted on July 24, 2008 at 10:26 AM by Tom

J2K-- Do you know when the 5th street bridge is supposed to re-open to pedestrians?

Posted on July 24, 2008 at 1:13 PM by N. Looper

I did not know that the back wall of the Twins' dugout will be covered with limestone...That will definitely be a unique attribute to this ballpark.

I heard that on the FSN Qwest Twins Live pre-game show yesterday when Anthony Lapanta and Kevin Smith toured the new Twins ballpark.

Smith also mentioned that the next big milestone for the ballpark construction would be the topping off when the canopy begins to go up. Wasn't able hear when that would be but I would assume later this year.

It was also interesting to note why the Twins' dugout will now be on the first base side rather than third base side due to the fact that there is much more depth on the first base side of the ballpark to allow for a bigger and better clubhouse unlike the third base side of the ballpark.

I am excited about the limestone wall in the dugout though! That will be very unique.

Posted on July 24, 2008 at 3:04 PM by Luke H.

LIMESTONE DUGOUT WALLS?????? GOLD PLATED SHOWER HEADS IN THE CLUBHOUSE.. MAYBE A 2ND WEB CAM PLEASE

Posted on July 24, 2008 at 3:28 PM by 2ND WEBCAM GUY

Yeah definitely like the limestone walls in the dugouts.

Posted on July 24, 2008 at 3:43 PM by bmd

i like the limestone in the dugout...but where will they put the ever important advertising?

I'd like to reiterate the concern for some night time renderings. I think it would be cool to have some exterior mood/accent lighting,shone onto the limestone. Maybe orange, ala Stone Arch bridge and Wells Fargo center...

Posted on July 24, 2008 at 4:50 PM by haasertime

has anyone ever listened to the little audio clips "build up to the ballpark" on the new ballpark website? WOW are they ever useless... it takes many words to say nothing. It would probably take the same time and cost to run to best buy to purchase and install a 2nd webcam. i'm just sayin'...

Posted on July 24, 2008 at 7:04 PM by mplsgreg

night time renderings and more recent renderings...the ones on their site are old. this is the public's ballpark, let's get on with the promised 2nd webcam and some updated renderings twins.

Posted on July 24, 2008 at 7:04 PM by Tim

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I can't wait to see how this looks at sunset.

Thank you Rick, you da man!

Posted on July 16, 2008 at 0:45 PM by Lafferty

Thanks Rick....You're the best!

Posted on July 16, 2008 at 0:48 PM by kevin in az

Wow! Thanks! Those look awesome! So do you know if they are cutting out the little peep holes? Why don't they cover the brick up with limestone? Like that area above the proshop... Not saying it will look bad, just wonder if there is a reason...

Posted on July 16, 2008 at 0:52 PM by Brandon

The so-called "knotholes" are not exactly what you may think. For example, the doorway pictured above (3rd picture from the end) is technically one of the knotholes. The opening will have a glass door and windows through which the field will kinda sorta be visible.

You will be able to get a glimpse of the field, but these are not exactly places where you can stand and watch the game. (A better view will be from the equivalent spot over on the 5th Street side, which may actually have a partial view of the infield -- as seen in the flyover video.)

In other words, it's nothing like those found back at Nicollet Park (click my name).

Posted on July 16, 2008 at 1:05 PM by Rick

Oh, I almost forgot: Why don't they cover the brick with limestone? Brick is cheap, limestone is not.

Posted on July 16, 2008 at 1:09 PM by Rick

WOW is all I can say! Thanks Rick for the amazing pictures of what will be the most beautiful exterior facade in all of MLB come 2010.

It's amazing to think how quickly this project is taking shape and the reality of it finally becoming a reality after seeing the renderings over and over again.

It's going to be fun to see this limestone exterior go up over the course of the summer and into the fall.

Posted on July 16, 2008 at 1:30 PM by Luke H.

Thanks Rick, once again you've added some excitement to my usual cubicle drudgery. The limestone facade is gonna look great!

Posted on July 16, 2008 at 1:59 PM by luckylager

I know pnc has the same mankato limestone but does this look different to pnc?

Posted on July 16, 2008 at 2:19 PM by Jared

i 2nd that Lucky!!!! thanks rick

Posted on July 16, 2008 at 2:30 PM by mazaratirick

From the pictures I saw, it looks like most of PNCs exterior is some kind of tinted prefab material, with the limestone serving as a border and an accent.

It looks nice, just not as nice as this.

Posted on July 16, 2008 at 2:46 PM by dale

PNC is different. Click link

Posted on July 16, 2008 at 2:48 PM by Lafferty

Yeah I like ours better thanks guys.

Posted on July 16, 2008 at 3:39 PM by Jared

The limestone looks fabulous! WOW!

Does anyone know when they will start to install the risers for the seating? I would assume that they would start the upper deck first...

Posted on July 16, 2008 at 4:15 PM by J2K

Thanks Jared, I am glad you like ours better!

Posted on July 16, 2008 at 4:16 PM by Don Carlson

It is certainly beautiful! Congrats. Maybe not quite as beautiful as our Benaroya Hall in downtown Seattle, tho.

Posted on July 16, 2008 at 6:05 PM by Rose Barrett

I think this is going to be such a beautiful new ballpark! Thanks to everyone whos doing such a great job setting it up!

Posted on July 16, 2008 at 8:57 PM by twinsbiggestfan

Limestone looks AMAZING! Can't wait til it's done!

Posted on July 16, 2008 at 9:04 PM by lovinthelimestone

you can almost hear this baby warming up her singing voice...

before i go: dsp, surprise us with a lighted waterfall in the ballpark somewhere, please!

Posted on July 16, 2008 at 9:39 PM by yeahklye

Cue up the trombone: here comes Debbie Downer(see link).

I really can't wait until the Strib lays off the rest of these hack columnists.

Posted on July 16, 2008 at 9:44 PM by Chris

The limestone looks absolutely better than I could of every imagined. The Twin's organization keeps on impressing me more and more as I watch this stadium blossom. I do have one concern/question though. Why does the limestone on the top of the last picture seem to not have as much character as the bottom rows? It seems to smooth and bland. Are only the bottom rows going to have more texture and color? Personally, I am hoping for that bottom limestone theme will be carried throughout the entire ballpark.

Posted on July 16, 2008 at 9:52 PM by Jeff

If you look above, this was already questioned, but that is just an accent row, and there will be one about every 5th row of limestone...

yeahklye, I too would like to see a waterfall! Imagine this, look at the renderings (or model pics) and look at the thin glass opening (I think it is for an elevator?) along 7th St. Imagine if that had a waterfall inside it with red and blue LED's shineing through it! That would look AWESOME at night!!! It is actually pictured in the 4ht pic down from top!

Posted on July 16, 2008 at 10:28 PM by Brandon

I think Nick Coleman is mostly smelling sour grapes with that column... I've never smelled anything down there worse than I've smelled down by the dome... pfft, most of the smells will be drowned out by hot dogs, beer and mustard.

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 12:01 AM by CJ

rick - thanks for the new ballpark pics. the kasota limestone looks spectacular. also, i loved that link you provided to the old nicollet park in minneapolis - circa 1925. i swear one of those young kids peeking through the knothole at nicollet park is my since passed grandpa. great photo!

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 12:19 AM by Betaband

I couldn't resist posting a comment to Coleman's latest provocative rubbish:

I spent lots of time in the HERC neighborhood when my company was located in Ford Centre and I never smelled anything. Nothing. Never. Ever. Not even once. As another commenter put it, it doesn't smell any worse there than it does throughout the rest of downtown.

It's a complete non-issue and that is proven by the number of people who are choosing to live very close to it. They wouldn't do that for long if it stunk.

But my bigger point is this: Whether you agree or disagree with Coleman, his writing is atrocious. By adopting a condescending tone and a "wink, wink, nudge, nudge" style, he somehow manages to lower the level of discourse on just about every subject he touches. Even when I agree with him, I cringe while reading. He belongs on some crappy talk radio station (I can think of one).

His columns are like talk radio for newspaper. That is NOT a good thing.

Between him and Kersten, the Strib B-section is starting to look like the Jerry Springer Show of newspapers: Write whatever you want as long as it provokes a reaction.

If that's your strategy for selling newspapers, you won't be selling them for very much longer...

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 12:24 AM by Rick

Why would they need room for a reservoir when Bassett Creek already flows under the stadium? I would want the "waterfall" to be in the outfield flowing over limestone rocks. It could look like Minnehaha Falls(click link) only lit up with LED. With that and the different color LED that are already going into the canopy to turn it different colors, Northern Lights Yard would be the most awesome name for our park.

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 03:06 AM by Tom

people who hate on the fact we are getting the new ballpark always use that as a last ditch shot at it..."its next to a "garbage burner"

It does not smell and even if it did like CJ said all we will smell is the ballpark food anyway, I mean if miller park can make milwakee's stinky ass smell good and they have a stupid roof!

brats and curds, kettle corn and hot dogs..ummmmmmmm i have to renew my season tickets asap!

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 08:04 AM by mazaratirick

yes it's wink wink, but his ballpark obsession goes back to the issue that it's sited in minneapolis and not the city where he thinks the river flows champagne. nothing bad ever happens in st paul! oh his brother is the mayor, but that doesn't affect what he chooses to write...wink wink. if this park were being built across from xcel center, we'd be getting occasional columns about the virtues of baseball in his hometown, as he's done with hockey. publically financed hockey edifices are ok in his parochial world.

and yes, the "next to a garbage burner" comment is the kneejerk comment from the overall stadium hater. it's being built and rising high..so suck on it!

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 08:18 AM by Tim

the sewer drains downtown are rank during the summer and that smell sometimes wafts over the the metrodome area. why doesn't he bring that up?

i don't think i've ever read a column of his i've liked.

and has anyone else noticed how ridiculous the comments on strib articles have been about the twins? i actually find myself getting mad when i read them at how stupid some people are (jmarksor anyone?)

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 08:44 AM by annoying customer

Well in 3 years when they decide to relocate the garbase burner to build the Vikings stadium it won't matter anymore.

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 09:51 AM by moda253

I love how this jockstrap interviewed some random person waiting for a bus on a corner of a street, assumedly right above a sewer grate. If he made any effort at accurate and educated reporting, he would have asked one of the construction workers who spend 12 hours a day on that site. Or not treat the HERC rep's informed opinions as the setup for a punchline.

And in regards to the reader comments on these articles, I can't believe the number of bitter, selfish, cry-babies throughout this state that lack any logical perspective or ability to pass judgement wihtout realizing THEY ARE THE REASON THERE IS NO STINKING ROOF. "I don't want to pay for the roof, but I'm never going to shut up about wanting it." Wah wah wah.

In the end, just less competition for season tickets.

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 10:22 AM by johnk

oooh! i like the idea of the TC logo lit up w/ led's behind a waterfall in the elevator banks. too late, unfortunately.

before i go: nick coleman points out something from which the ballpark must distance itself: the garbage burner. no matter how much people will go on the record saying there's no smell, the fact that the herc is referred to as "the garbage burner" is a psychological dent in the ballpark. it's kind of like when someone says "don't think about an elephant..." and the first thing that jumps into your mind is an elephant. the herc simply must be moved, decommissioned, or transformed into a wind/solar plant.

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 10:32 AM by yeaklye

tim,

Not really true. He didn't want the ballpark here on the good side of the river either. See, he hates Carl Pohlad... therefore the Twins are evil. (show me a Twins fan who actually loves our very own Mr. Burns...)

He's been a hater from day one, and when he lost the fight, he couldn't just tip his hat and walk away... he figured he'd sit in the gallery and throw peanuts.

he also took shots at the XCel Center as a "boondoggle" when it was being built... take it from someone who lives in that neighborhood... I, and my property tax paying backside wouldn't be in that neighborhood if not for the improvements brought on by the X.

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 10:38 AM by CJ

The comments in the strib are dumb but sometimes entertaining ... like the ones the goofs leave for Sid .....

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 11:05 AM by mazaratirick

There is an update from 7/16 on the twins website with pictures showing the stone quarry and the first panels being put into place.

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 0:24 PM by Tom

So, the quarry is close to the construction site, thus earning LEED points, but the stone is actually driven hundreds of miles away to another state and then driven back? I am seriously confused by this. Wouldn't be far more efficient to either quarry the stone near Souix Falls, or (even better) assemble the panels in Mankato rather than in South Dakota?

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 0:46 PM by Midwest Product

Sioux Falls, that is. My apologies to any South Dakotans in our midst.

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 0:47 PM by Midwest Product

One thing that I just noticed is that they did away with those cool looking glass beacons above the elevator shafts and just made it ugly brick work instead...Look at the model and the glass beacons are gone! Cutting corners now?

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 0:53 PM by Tom

From the Strib comments on the article as my link

"Went to the Twins game in Milwaukee , heading down to kansas City to see the twins in Aug and would rather drive 400 miles to see the twins play then drive Down Town Minneapolis to see tham Those two stadiums are have some thing in common that our glorious leaders here fail to understand - you can park right by the stadium - you can tail gate and the experience is out standing In 2010 we will have to park all over down town - every price will jump 100% , you will have some garbage smell the whole time The Stadium should have been built any where but down town - and BTW - put a retractible roof on it - the dome sucks because it was done on the cheap - this stadium is being done on the cheap

posted by toolman28 on Jul. 17, 08 at 6:24 AM"

and this one:

"Amazing so many people have no lifes that they will pay $200 or more for a family of 4 to watch grown men play a child's game very well.

I am confounded why taxpayers had to help build this ridiculous stadium. Why not 1) raise the entrance fee, 2) require players to invest in the stadium, 3) require a management pay cut that would be directed towards the stadium, 4) look for ways to reduce costs (as other businesses that do not get taxpayer money do).

posted by mark1952 on Jul. 17, 08 at 7:20 AM"

"Tell me I just didn't read this!!

Our so called leaders build something I did not want. 70 percent of tax payers of Minnesota did not want also. Then build it in a place that smells. So if someone takes there family over to the stadium to watch a ball game they are going to smell a rotten corps all game. Are you flipp'n kidding me here!!! That just shows what types of morons we have running our government!!

posted by tjr on Jul. 17, 08 at 8:58 AM"

I also love how people all say that it is going to stink like rotting and burning garbage yet none of them have any experience.

Thank you Rick and this guy for actually having first hand experience, even if people ignore the truth.

"Been There Live There

I go by the construction almost daily. I live just a few blocks from the burner. I promise you'll be smelling the sweaty drunk guy sitting next to you before you smell the incinerator. Relax Nick! and everyone else who thinks it's going to be a problem. It will be a beautiful park.

posted by slingshot on Jul. 17, 08 at 11:17 AM"

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 2:14 PM by Minnesota Nice is a Farce

go to milwakee and to kc but not to our own home ballpark? that was the worse one i read on the strib today, as some of you know i am down with the tailgating as much as the next nut but that was out of line... that is not a real twins fan,,, that is a guy who likes to get shitfaced and his buddys like the twins and hes along for the ride... good we dont want him at the new ballpark and that is more room for me and my grill under the bridge...

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 3:20 PM by mazaratirick

I also live close to the ballpark. Talking to a resident or construction worker might have made this piece of "news" something with some believable substance, rather than a whiny blog entry. If you walk VERY close you can smell the garbage water that drips from the trucks as they leave. I have never once smelled it from over 10 yards away. Ever. Case closed.

I think Rick probably said it best that Coleman's articles are like talk radio for the Star and Sickle. I don't know if he means them to or not but his articles always come across as provacatively idiotic. Not sure how you can count them as journalism either, since they're always based on his own unfounded communist opinions. The only thing worse is that every newssite these days requires a comments section so that people who don't know anything on the subject can spout off about what their aunt in Bemidji heard about the ballpark, or that one time they knew someone who once smelled garbage and it wasn't good. I don't care about what Joe Schmoe has to say anymore than I care what Brangelina is naming their 67th child.

This is not about garbage smell, it's about people that don't want to pay for a necessary community building because they don't use it. This would be some city if there was no Walker Art Museum, Guthrie Theater or zoo just because not 100% of the population is interested in them.

Rant over.

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 4:48 PM by mplsgreg

mplsgreg,

don't forget about public schools and libraries...oh, and mass transit.

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 5:02 PM by annoying customer

Rick, I see 70 out of 90 people liked your comment

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 5:35 PM by rp

I drove by the HERC facility tonight (near the gas station) and noticed a worker from the plant with what appeared to be a radar gun but it was hooked up to their nose! Some sort of high tech smelling machine. So I think they are monitoring the smell pretty closely.

I have lived in the North Loop for over 7 years and have walked by the HERC facility many times and have never been bothered by the smell. In fact, when it opened in the late 80's, my school bus went by there everyday and I was bugged by the steam that would engulf 7th street but never smelled a thing. If you want some ripe smelling areas, just go to Portland and Washington or 4th and Hennepin, now there are some ripe sewer smells.

And I love your site, Rick! I get all my stadium info from your site!!!

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 9:06 PM by North Looper

I've been in South Dakota all week. You're telling me the place I grew up is actually helping with the building of the new stadium...Awesome Man!!! Love the pics...

Now if they can only get the 2nd web cam up and running so we can see MORE!!

BTW--Mt Rushmore is really cool at sunset when the Dept of Int. turns on the high beams on the faces! Pretty Inspiring Stuff! Go Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln! And Go Morneau...great job in the HR hitting contest.

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 10:43 PM by Locker

Nick Coleman is just writing about that to create a buzz around town and stir up some controversy so he can get some attention. I wouldn't make a big deal of what he thinks because we all know how biased and opinionated he is and can be. It doesn't make sense to complain and give him the attention because, in the end, his primary objective is to get the attention and create a buzz and controversy around town.

Posted on July 18, 2008 at 09:00 AM by Luke H.

I suck!

Posted on July 18, 2008 at 09:56 AM by Nick Coleman

The reason the Strib holds on to KK and Coleman and has a comment thread on nearly every article is because of their financial situation. A majority of people now get their news in some other form than a day old newspaper. For many, this means going online. I have noticed several changes to the Strib website in the last year because of this. Breaking up articles over several pages, adding a comment thread so the KnowNothing's can rant and then go back several times a day to see who responded, opinionated articles that are bound to upset people so they comment and then tell others...It's all an attempt to increase page hits so they can charge more for advertising. Just blow off the hack articles and the KnowNothing comments and get the 25% that's actually news and you'll be fine. Thanks Rick for making this website. My office is in Butler Square so I get to see what's going on at the ballpark everyday but I like looking at your pictures for all the views and closeups I don't usually see.

Posted on July 18, 2008 at 10:05 AM by JP

For those that are interested in yesterday's MSFC proposal to rebuild the Metrodome, click on my name. Allow time to download as the PDF file is over 41mb.

Posted on July 18, 2008 at 10:42 AM by kevin in az

Im for anything that keeps the vikes in Minnesota.

Posted on July 18, 2008 at 11:31 AM by Jared

Thanks for the link Kevin! I really hope the Vikings can finally resolve their stadium issue this next year. As Jared said, whatever it takes to keep the Vikings in Minnesota long-term. Hopefully reducing costs by using part of the Metrodome will help gain more support.

The bottom line is that the Metrodome is 25 years old and has definitely served its purpose and is paid for (only cost 55-60 million to build). It is below standards and is no longer a feasible venue for professional sports. Times have changed and its time for a new venue. If Indianapolis' RCA Dome wasn't good enough for Indianapolis, than the Metrodome is definitely not good enough for Minneapolis. In fact, I think the RCA Dome was a few years newer than the Metrodome, now they will be moving into Lucas Oil Stadium next month.

Posted on July 18, 2008 at 0:38 PM by Luke H.

I look at the webcam and think to myself: Next year at this same time I'm still going to be looking at the webcam. It won't be finished, but there will be grass, and seats, and all kinds of stuff but it still won't be done.

The next year is going to be so fun to watch. The majority of the concrete pours should be done by winter. There already are internal walls going up. It is going to be amazing to watch this thing go up. I can't wait for all the concrete deck work to be done. Once that happens it is really going to be fun to watch it.

Now that we have stone in place, I can't wait to see the seating bowl take place. And the first piece of glass installed, then of course the first section of seating, then the scoreboard.

Thanks for hosting this site man. It is truly awesome to watch this project and discuss it with others that are addicted to it.

Posted on July 18, 2008 at 0:40 PM by moda253

moda253,

Is that a poem? It sounds kinda like on because it has a sort of rethem and rhyme. It it is, cool, if not, still cool.

Posted on July 18, 2008 at 1:09 PM by Andrew

Hehe, no just typing it out man.

Posted on July 18, 2008 at 1:26 PM by moda253

ODE TO A WEB CAM

Web cam, O web cam,

Our most faithful friend

You've stared at construction

For months without end!

Just what do you see

From your perch on that tower

While snapping new images

Four times an hour?

We, in our cubicles,

Look through your eye

And dream about Baseball,

Our Twins, and the sky.

Web cam, O web cam

How far can you see?

I wish there were two of you

Or maybe three!

Posted on July 18, 2008 at 2:04 PM by the_ballpark_poet

HAHAHAHAHA OMG That might be the best thing I've read all week!

Awesome work Ballpark Poet!!!!

Of course now you will be asked for weekly installments.

Posted on July 18, 2008 at 2:14 PM by moda253

Fabulous^

Posted on July 18, 2008 at 2:23 PM by J2K

nice work ballpark poet. well done. i think you are going to be kevin in az's favorite new poster here on rick's site.

Posted on July 18, 2008 at 2:40 PM by Betaband

Longtime browser and reader here.... first time post. I want to thank Rick for providing a place for another cubible dwelling ballpark geek to dream of the Twins outdoors in MN. I look at the ballpark webcam a few times during the day and usually check this page once a day. And thanks to the contributors for the great discussions and information on here.

Posted on July 18, 2008 at 3:10 PM by Jammer

I like it. Ballpark poet, can we get a weekly Friday afternoon installment?

Posted on July 18, 2008 at 3:13 PM by mplsgreg

Yes Twins marketing dept...Ode to a webcam...how about ode to TWO WEBCAMS???? ANYONE??? ANYONE??? BUELLER?????

Posted on July 18, 2008 at 3:53 PM by kevin in az

Todays pics....three escalators installed!!

Posted on July 18, 2008 at 5:19 PM by MOJO

Nice

Posted on July 18, 2008 at 6:02 PM by Lafferty

Ballpark poet that was fricken hilarious!

Posted on July 18, 2008 at 8:40 PM by Jared

MOJO!!! You have done it again! Thank you so much! Those are some awesome pics! So is this something we can expect weekly? Haha :)

Does anyone know when those big yellow things are going to be removed?

Posted on July 18, 2008 at 9:07 PM by Brandon

Mojo,

Again as an out-of-town Twins fan, I thank you for the pictures. Say while you're down at the site, want to see if you can find the 2nd webcam a top the Ford Centre and plug it in somewhere?

Posted on July 18, 2008 at 9:13 PM by kevin in az

What will happen to this site after 2010 and the ballpark opens?

Posted on July 18, 2008 at 11:15 PM by All28Day

Interesting question, All28Day.

I suppose that we'll all be exploring and getting used to the new park for at least a season or two. That should lead to some interesting experiences and stories. I, for one, plan to see at least one game from as many locations as possible (and then report back here, of course).

There will be the inevitable tweaks, upgrades, redesigns, etc. We'll want to follow those.

The story of the neighborhood around the ballpark certainly won't be written before the place opens. We'll have to track that.

From there, who knows?

Maybe the only answer I can give is that it won't shut down until there's nothing left to say, or no more visitors.

Here's hoping that's a long way off!

Posted on July 18, 2008 at 11:55 PM by Rick

All28Day - It will become the vikingsstadium2012.com website^

Posted on July 18, 2008 at 11:55 PM by Betaband

at least that is my hope as a lifelong vikings fan!^

Posted on July 18, 2008 at 11:59 PM by Betaband

I hate to be Mr. Doom-and-Gloom, Betaband, but I think the Vikings story will have a different end, and no web site will be required.

I've said it before: When moving the team is an empty threat, you hear about it everyday. When it's the actual strategy, you don't hear one word until the day it happens.

Zygi seems like the type of guy who will be prepared either way. If he gets a stadium, fine. But I'd bet that he already has a top secret handshake deal somewhere else, and will put it in motion if the Legislature adjourns with no love for the Vikes.

And he'll never utter one word about the possibility of moving. He'll deny it up until the moment the Winter Park door closes behind the moving vans.

It'll be, "Move over, Lakers. Here's another Minnesota cast-off."

Posted on July 19, 2008 at 12:26 AM by Rick

GOD I HOPE YOU ARE WRONG!!! It woudl KILL me to see the Vikes leave! They need to stay here!

Posted on July 19, 2008 at 01:14 AM by Brandon

rick - please don't be mr. doom-and-gloom. i don’t like it! :-)

i know you said the vikings stadium situation could go either way, but i honestly do not see the politicos allowing it to ever get to a point where the vikings leave minnesota. they know there are more than enough vikings fans out there in this state that would be absolutely livid that the many of them would get their "heads handed to them" in the voting booths the very next election out of pure spite.

minneapolis/st. paul already "screwed-up" big time when it came to letting a 5 time NBA champion franchise like the lakers leave town instead of building a new arena in minneapolis in the early 60’s and then the north stars in the mid 90’s. only to go and get expansion franchises to replace both of them. maybe i am giving politicians too much credit, but I just don’t see them being stupid enough to allow it to happen for a third time. and with the vikings no less!

don’t get me wrong. i am a big-time twins fans, but i also know that the vikings are the most popular team in minnesota and have been for a very long time. that has not and will not change. the fact that the twins & gophers are building new stadiums actually works in the vikings and the minnesota sporting fan’s favor. with that precedence already in place how does the legislature say: “well we did pitch in something for the twins, gophers and wild, but sorry we just can’t do it for the most popular team in the state, the vikings”. it just isn’t going work that way in my opinion.

i am going to remain optimistic when it comes to this topic, but appreciate your point of view on the subject.

Posted on July 19, 2008 at 01:25 AM by Betaband

Actually, you'll get no argument from me on any of that!

Well, except maybe for the part about learning from past mistakes. Our Legislature doesn't always seem very good at that to me...

I think that they are about a year (one full legislative session) behind where they should be on a Vikings stadium, and that's what makes me nervous.

Posted on July 19, 2008 at 01:36 AM by Rick

Not to thread jack this or anything but how did the Twins get beat by SIDNEY PONSON? We just seem to always struggle in New York for some reason...We tend to play very poor baseball in that stadium as Ron Gardenhire is 3-17 as a manager in the Bronx. Thankfully we only have two more games left in Yankee Stadium!!! Hopefully the "New" Yankee Stadium will bring better fortunes for our favorite squad...

No need to complain though as Gardy will get our boys back on track...As the old cliche always goes...It's not a sprint, but a marathon.

Posted on July 21, 2008 at 10:36 PM by John Pavelka

comment4,

Posted on July 24, 2008 at 1:23 PM by Zratxmnh

comment1,

Posted on July 24, 2008 at 1:23 PM by Bkdcgvbh

comment1,

Posted on July 24, 2008 at 1:23 PM by Tlcrszjq

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