RealGM

The Minnesota Timberwolves and the City of Minneapolis say they have a plan to renovate the aging Target Center. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, City Council President Barbara Johnson and Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor will hold a news conference on Tuesday to announce what they call "a sensible, sustainable Minnesota solution for renovating" the 21-year-old arena. The Timberwolves say the proposal will cost "considerably less" than replacing the building and will extend its viability for another two decades. Specific details on the plan were not immediately available. Target Center is the fourth-oldest arena in the NBA. The announcement comes as the Minnesota Vikings are lobbying state leaders for a new football stadium.

Opened in 1990, Target Center underwent a major renovation in 2004, when all seats were replaced and capacity was increased. The floor is one of only two moveable floors in the country, according to the arena Web site.

SO_MONEY wrote:Any structural design people out there? The way the article reads it implies an open concourse feel...is this even possible?

He declined to discuss the details or total cost of the project Monday but said, "The point is to upgrade it before it becomes obsolete."

Improving the fan experience likely will mean having places to eat, better seating and more lavatories, similar to what the Twins have in their new fan-friendly ballpark, Rybak said. It also might mean a new entrance to replace one that now looks like a lot of concrete, he said.

"We're looking for the environment to be fresher and newer," Taylor said.

C.lupus wrote:I'm glad they are going this route. Building new stadiums and arenas every 20 years is absolutely insane. There's a lot you can do in renovation to freshen up a bulding.

Devilzsidewalk wrote:

C.lupus wrote:I'm glad they are going this route. Building new stadiums and arenas every 20 years is absolutely insane. There's a lot you can do in renovation to freshen up a bulding.

a few hot tubs wouldn't hurt. Why sit on an uncomfortable seat when you can sit in a hot tub, drinking beers, watching the wolves. That'd be aok.

UK-Wolf wrote:

Devilzsidewalk wrote:

C.lupus wrote:I'm glad they are going this route. Building new stadiums and arenas every 20 years is absolutely insane. There's a lot you can do in renovation to freshen up a bulding.

a few hot tubs wouldn't hurt. Why sit on an uncomfortable seat when you can sit in a hot tub, drinking beers, watching the wolves. That'd be aok.

By the time I make it to Target Center I expect the same.

The Target Center renovation will cost approximately one-half as much as TCF Stadium, less than one-third as much as Target Field, less than one-sixth as much as the proposed Vikings stadium and one-third as much as a new Target Center. The main reason for this is because we are taking advantage of the existing building and infrastructure. We are able to continue to use the foundation and other building materials that currently comprise Target Center, instead of having to find a new location or tear down an existing building.

Klomp wrote:

The Target Center renovation will cost approximately one-half as much as TCF Stadium, less than one-third as much as Target Field, less than one-sixth as much as the proposed Vikings stadium and one-third as much as a new Target Center. The main reason for this is because we are taking advantage of the existing building and infrastructure. We are able to continue to use the foundation and other building materials that currently comprise Target Center, instead of having to find a new location or tear down an existing building.

Klomp wrote:

The Target Center renovation will cost approximately one-half as much as TCF Stadium, less than one-third as much as Target Field, less than one-sixth as much as the proposed Vikings stadium and one-third as much as a new Target Center. The main reason for this is because we are taking advantage of the existing building and infrastructure. We are able to continue to use the foundation and other building materials that currently comprise Target Center, instead of having to find a new location or tear down an existing building.