The future of Target Center

[m2002brian]

Is that lot necessary for MOA though? And on game days, having 18,000 fans PLUS all of the MOA shoppers sounds like a mess.

I was actually wondering if there might be available land near the Vikings practice facility.

Most games are at night when it’s less busy and that lot is rarely used much even for MoA stuffs. Sometimes not used at all. Much like the large lot just north of the mall is rarely close to half capacity. Thirdly, there is also vacant land to the north just south of 494 and west of 24th. Build more parking ramps.

I would build in that lot NE of the mall. Pretty sure it could handle the parking and the arena

That’s not a bad lot either, you can build parking directly west of it. Make a glass roof and watch airplanes take off and land.

I liked the idea of a skyway between the arena and the mall. That fourth floor would be leased out and for premium rates if that were the case.
You can make a whole day of a game. shop,eat, mini golf and then just walk across to the game.

[shrink]

I really like this idea too. You have hotels popping up down there too, and the green space of Fort Snelling and the park down by the river.

Also, maybe this could make Minnesota a more attractive destination for free agents? Rich player wives might encourage their hubbies to consider playing for the TWolves, since they can go shopping for a few hours before they go watch a game? Kids might be happy with the amusement park and water park. And the state has great schools too. This would appealing place for a vet with a family

[shrink]

I just wanted to add one more thing here:

One of the top goals for Finch is to change internal culture, but a top goal for Lore will be to change the way everyone else sees the organization. The Wolves have been a generally unsuccessful franchise in a cold, non-destination city. It takes stars to win, and stars aren’t coming here in free agency, and lately, have a lot of power to force a trade if they don’t want to stay. In Dane’s podcast, a recent guest pointed out that while David Kahn takes the heat for passing on Steph Curry, people forget Curry let everyone know that he didn’t want to be drafted by Minnesota. This was because the organization had been bad for so long, all of it before Kahn got here. If we had been successful in the past, it would have been easier to be successful going forward.

The Wolves have many years of problems, and it will take a lot to get people to change their minds, but it can happen. MIN has been winning, and getting back to the playoffs. They have a coach that players like. They have a new, experienced, GM. Who wouldn’t want to play with Anthony Edwards? A-Rod can always get a meeting with a star athlete. And I think we will also push forward with a new arena, with all the glitz that a futurist like Lore can provide.

[m2002brian]

I just wanted to add one more thing here:

One of the top goals for Finch is to change internal culture, but a top goal for Lore will be to change the way everyone else sees the organization. The Wolves have been a generally unsuccessful franchise in a cold, non-destination city. It takes stars to win, and stars aren’t coming here in free agency, and lately, have a lot of power to force a trade if they don’t want to stay. In Dane’s podcast, a recent guest pointed out that while David Kahn takes the heat for passing on Steph Curry, people forget Curry let everyone know that he didn’t want to be drafted by Minnesota. This was because the organization had been bad for so long, all of it before Kahn got here. If we had been successful in the past, it would have been easier to be successful going forward.

The Wolves have many years of problems, and it will take a lot to get people to change their minds, but it can happen. MIN has been winning, and getting back to the playoffs. They have a coach that players like. They have a new, experienced, GM. Who wouldn’t want to play with Anthony Edwards? A-Rod can always get a meeting with a star athlete. And I think we will also push forward with a new arena, with all the glitz that a futurist like Lore can provide.

Excellent points.
To add on to the “not a destination city”, maybe Minneapolis is not, but MOA is an international destination for many. Imagine the players themselves, from other teams, coming in for a game and instead of being in some downtown hotel, they’re at the mall, shopping, eating, having a great time. Like you said, they have their wives or girlfriend with them, kids tag along, they love it. Now, MOA isn’t just an international shopping destination, it’s an international music, sports, food, and entertainment hot spot. Got a layover on your way to Japan? Get to the Mall, have dinner, catch a Wolves game and be back to your hotel or the airport without ever dealing with any traffic. Imagine Delta or some other airline, but I think delta is a sponsor. Imagine if they special timed flights to have long layovers to catch games.

[TimberKat]

I am still more into urban redevelopment and like to have them stay in downtown area. I get next to MOA and Ikea ( ) is not exactly Richfield coliseum for Cavs but Bloomington is still not "downtown" for me.

Maybe play over at Excel Energy Center while rebuild on current site?

[Klomp]

Maybe play over at Excel Energy Center while rebuild on current site?

I'm guessing that would require some level of taxpayer approval, since Target Center is taxpayer-funded.

[andyhop]

Isn't the problem with building next to the MOA that it reduces the ability to add value by developing the area surrounding the arena.

[Klomp]

Isn't the problem with building next to the MOA that it reduces the ability to add value by developing the area surrounding the arena.

Sure, if that's what the owners want to get out of it.

[andyhop]

Isn't the problem with building next to the MOA that it reduces the ability to add value by developing the area surrounding the arena.

Sure, if that's what the owners want to get out of it.

Well I presume they want to afford a stadium and given their relative poverty I don't see them building one without either public money or non stadium development potential.

There might have been a major stadium or arena built without either additional revenue source but having a quick look at the most recent projects I could think of I couldn't find one

[m2002brian]

Isn't the problem with building next to the MOA that it reduces the ability to add value by developing the area surrounding the arena.

Yes and no.

If you build next to the mall the area is already built up. So, it’s just ann inverted approach. Additionally, there are still large areas of land nearby to develop.
Also, looking it up, the Malls value is at 2 billion. So it’s possible they could just gobble that up or find partners to buy in to Lore city, and make a micro (nano) version at that site. That means residential housing, shops, food, entertainment, mass transit.

It really amazing how well it would fit Lores idea and be a great prototype setting for it.

[firedavidkahn]

Call me skeptical but when it comes to sports arenas, I believe precisely 0 of what comes out of anyone's mouth until the thing is actually funded and built. Not gonna hold my breath a replacement for Target Center will be entirely privately funded

[KGdaBom]

Call me skeptical but when it comes to sports arenas, I believe precisely 0 of what comes out of anyone's mouth until the thing is actually funded and built. Not gonna hold my breath a replacement for Target Center will be entirely privately funded

Public funding can be great if done right. The state made a bundle on the Metrodome.

[Mattya]

Isn't the problem with building next to the MOA that it reduces the ability to add value by developing the area surrounding the arena.

Yes and no.

If you build next to the mall the area is already built up. So, it’s just ann inverted approach. Additionally, there are still large areas of land nearby to develop.
Also, looking it up, the Malls value is at 2 billion. So it’s possible they could just gobble that up or find partners to buy in to Lore city, and make a micro (nano) version at that site. That means residential housing, shops, food, entertainment, mass transit.

It really amazing how well it would fit Lores idea and be a great prototype setting for it.

Pretty sure he was aiming at a desert location for this city, not that it will ever happen anyway. If they were going to do a proof of concept it would more likely be in a location with a dead mall, not MOA.

[northernSoul]

There’s zero chance they build in the suburbs. My guess it will be on the HERC location, right off the light rail.

[Klomp]

There’s zero chance they build in the suburbs. My guess it will be on the HERC location, right off the light rail.

Yeah I was trying to think of locations in that close proximity, but I'm no expert on the Minneapolis real estate situation. Another I wondered about is the farmer's market area nearby, since that was under consideration when United FC was building.

[slick21]

There’s zero chance they build in the suburbs. My guess it will be on the HERC location, right off the light rail.

I can see the arguments for near the airport and MOA in Bloomington, but I would hope that Lore/ARod find a way/location to keep them in downtown Mpls.

Didn't realize that HERC will likely be closing in the near future. That would be a good location as it is still on the light rail. Guessing no matter where a new arena is, Mayo Clinic Square is just a temporary Wolves facility?

[Klomp]

Guessing no matter where a new arena is, Mayo Clinic Square is just a temporary Wolves facility?

I wouldn't be so sure.

A lot of players stay/live close to downtown. Having the practice facility right there has to be a big plus for that. And it's not a poorly constructed facility either.

[TimberKat]

Guessing no matter where a new arena is, Mayo Clinic Square is just a temporary Wolves facility?

I wouldn't be so sure.

A lot of players stay/live close to downtown. Having the practice facility right there has to be a big plus for that. And it's not a poorly constructed facility either.

If Wolves move out of there, it will be the nicest YMCA or pickleball court in the world

[Klomp]

I was trying to figure out the status of "Block E", such as who owns it. I thought it was the teams, but all I'm finding now is that it's leased space. Because another thought I had was to build there if it was their property/land.

[thinktank]

I was trying to figure out the status of "Block E", such as who owns it. I thought it was the teams, but all I'm finding now is that it's leased space. Because another thought I had was to build there if it was their property/land.

Plymouth-based Provident Real Estate Ventures