Target Center’s nearly $130 million renovation has the all clear from the Minneapolis City Council.
Council members voted 10-3 Friday morning to approve the design and funding plans for the revamp, which includes a new lobby and atrium with glass exterior along 6th Street, new signage for the concourses, a new video scoreboard, and more.
Of the $129.8 million bill, $74 million is coming from the City of Minneapolis, $49 million from the Timberwolves, and $5.9 million from AEG Facilities (the arena operator), according to the agreement. The original plans a couple years ago set the price tag at $97 million, but the cost went up shortly after and the three groups involved had to cover the funding gap.
Construction will start May 6, and exterior work kicks off this summer. Everything should be done by fall of 2017. A timeline is posted on the city’s website, showing Target Center could be closed from May-September of 2017 – which would clash with the Minnesota Lynx season.
Canis Hoopus has reported the Lynx will have to find a temporary home for all home games in 2017.
Wolves and Lynx owner Glen Taylor said in a statement the move shows the franchises’ “commitment to Minnesota” and said it’s “about creating the best possible experience for our fans and giving the region a first-class experience in an arena for all to enjoy.”
Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges called it a “sensible solution,” saying it’s an investment from the people and the city into the arena.
You can see more photos of the new designs at this website.
