The University of Minnesota unveiled it’s new football stadium designs to mostly positive reviews on Wednesday. The biggest surprise from previous drawings was the turning of the field 90 degrees to a mostly east-west direction. This accomplishes two things: Gives folks in the stands a fantastic view of the Minneapolis Downtown skyline and it allows the open section of the stadium to become a plaza. Other key features of the stadium:
Evokes old Memorial stadium as it will be built mostly of brick and will include “arched entries� around the entire perimeter of the stadium.
Field will be eight feet below grade, allowing views of the field from the west end plaza.
Expansion-ready as more stands can be added along the top tied of the stadium.
Concourses double the size of the Metrodome and seats large enough to accommodate our ever increasing girths.
Of course, as with any stadium project (ahem Twins ballpark), costs have gone up. Some costs can be attributed to improvements made to the project (the wider concourses) while others are typical project increases such as soil corrections and inflation.
All in all a good start for a much needed stadium. I for one will be looking forward to opening day on September 12, 2009.
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