The future of Target Center

[Klomp]

I know there probably won't be any official news for a long time, but I wanted to begin the discussion now, as it was recently brought up by Alex Rodriguez that they're at least considering the possibility to fund it privately. It speaks to the investment level of the new ownership group.

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[Calinks]

Was listenting to Dane Moore podcast an episode or two ago and they had a guy on there who was a bug Lore fan. He studies Lore's business moves and talked about what he thinks some of his plans are. Basically, they said that since Lore wants to make a smart city, they could definitely see him making a Smar Arena. Something that will be open 24/7 or at least way more interactive and cool than anything we have seen before. I don't know what that would mean but it is kind of exciting to think about us having some new leading edge arena features. Stuff that's super cool that will really enhance the Timberwolves experience and make fans want to come out to games.

[Klomp]

Was listenting to Dane Moore podcast an episode or two ago and they had a guy on there who was a bug Lore fan. He studies Lore's business moves and talked about what he thinks some of his plans are. Basically, they said that since Lore wants to make a smart city, they could definitely see him making a Smar Arena. Something that will be open 24/7 or at least way more interactive and cool than anything we have seen before. I don't know what that would mean but it is kind of exciting to think about us having some new leading edge arena features. Stuff that's super cool that will really enhance the Timberwolves experience and make fans want to come out to games.

Something that got me thinking this could be a reality.....

I don't really know how NBA owners get their paychecks, but it's important to remember that they bought into the team for an absolute bargain. It wouldn't surprise me if the team is currently worth over $1 billion more than the purchase price. That opens up a lot more room for spending money to improve the team and improve the facility. And if they're privately funding it, it's their revenue. It's not the city's building. It's theirs. They get the ticket sales. They potentially get the parking money (depending on where it'd be). They get the concessions. They get the pro shop money eventually. They get it all. Not to mention revenue from most concerts held in town at the new facility. That's a nice incentive to footing the bill, even if it's a little tight early on before the revenue starts rolling in...

[frankenwolf]

Will they tear down and rebuild in the same area? Having never been to the Target center, I don't know the neighborhood or the parking situation.

[Klomp]

Will they tear down and rebuild in the same area? Having never been to the Target center, I don't know the neighborhood or the parking situation.

I doubt they would be able to tear down, since they don't own Target Center or the land it's on.

The Timberwolves own Mayo Clinic Square next door, but I don't see them demolishing that either.

[shrink]

Will they tear down and rebuild in the same area? Having never been to the Target center, I don't know the neighborhood or the parking situation.

One of the advantages for the owners to get a new stadium is that you get to choose where it’s built. An owner not only buys the site for the arena, but he may buy up a lot of land nearby, on the cheap. When he announces where the stadium will be built, that property value jumps, and he can make a killing either on a one-time sale, or develop his own money-making businesses at these locations.

Marc Lore already has shown he wants to build a perfect city, and he thinks about his other businesses in terms of “How much money can it make each minute?” Dane Moore recently had a great podcast on Lore’s mindset, but I expect that a new stadium is a top early goal, and that we will see it has all the bells and whistles to be a truly elite destination, for basketball and beyond.

[Calinks]

Will they tear down and rebuild in the same area? Having never been to the Target center, I don't know the neighborhood or the parking situation.

One of the advantages for the owners to get a new stadium is that you get to choose where it’s built. An owner not only buys the site for the arena, but he may buy up a lot of land nearby, on the cheap. When he announces where the stadium will be built, that property value jumps, and he can make a killing either on a one-time sale, or develop his own money-making businesses at these locations.

Marc Lore already has shown he wants to build a perfect city, and he thinks about his other businesses in terms of “How much money can it make each minute?” Dane Moore recently had a great podcast on Lore’s mindset, but I expect that a new stadium is a top early goal, and that we will see it has all the bells and whistles to be a truly elite destination, for basketball and beyond.

Yea. This also makes me think they might not build it down town at all. They could build it somewhere more remote, like a suburb or just a more open area close to the twin cities/airport that will be cheaper than downtown Minneapolis. They will lose out on the downtown traffic/commuters but they could really build their own mini hub.

Parking could be way better, they could set up other commerce right in that area, it all could be under their control and generating money for them. They could set their own availably hours (lets say they do want a 24/7 type of environment or close to it). The wolves aren't the big dog of our sports town but they still may think its worth it to go all in and build up the fan experience so high, that it moves the needle. Especially if the team is good enough to carry it.

That dollar-per-minute thing is interesting because that amount can go way up if they are open for more than simply games and if they have other business going on in that area.

[Klomp]

Whatever happened with the old site in the north metro where they talked about building a Vikings village long ago?

[Nick K]

Will they tear down and rebuild in the same area? Having never been to the Target center, I don't know the neighborhood or the parking situation.

One of the advantages for the owners to get a new stadium is that you get to choose where it’s built. An owner not only buys the site for the arena, but he may buy up a lot of land nearby, on the cheap. When he announces where the stadium will be built, that property value jumps, and he can make a killing either on a one-time sale, or develop his own money-making businesses at these locations.

Marc Lore already has shown he wants to build a perfect city, and he thinks about his other businesses in terms of “How much money can it make each minute?” Dane Moore recently had a great podcast on Lore’s mindset, but I expect that a new stadium is a top early goal, and that we will see it has all the bells and whistles to be a truly elite destination, for basketball and beyond.

That's right. Good comments. I was very impressed with Alex Rodriguez on the KFAN interview. He and Lore are sharp business minds...especially Lore.

When they remodeled TC a few years ago I thought it was mostly wasted money. It is still an outdated arena. I was never a big fan of the place. Just compare it to the Excel Center for the MN Wild which is beautiful.

I believe Lore and A-ROD take over majority interest this fall or winter. These guys are calculated-aggressive which is great.

I'm born and raised here and in my 60's. I can't stand the thought of going downtown anymore. I don't know what they are going to do with the TC but the Wolves need to build in the suburbs.

[younggunsmn]

1. Keep it out of downtown. Find a nice big tract in the suburbs where you can build parking and hotels.

2. Make the acoustics work so concerts actually sound decent. Target Center is a horrible place to hear a concert.

3. I highly doubt they will have the dough to privately finance. They will come crawling to the taxpayers like they always do.
Unless you have an entire ecosystem that you own feeding off of it with hotels, restaurants, shopping, and steady year round use (would have to be THE place for concerts), would make no sense. And even then, it's a colossal undertaking.

They made a huge mistake when they moved all the pro sports venues out of Bloomington and into the city 40 years ago.
The parking and traffic issues alone are enough to discourage the casual fan from going to more than a game or 2 a year.

[Calinks]

It still might be pricy because its in the city but there are plenty of places in St. Paul or Minneapolis you could put the arena that has the space. They def don't have to go too far out and public transportation is pretty solid in that direct area so it could still be viable for getting people to games. That said, they may have to look into expanding it a bit depending on where they pick. A set up like Allianz Field though isn't a bad idea, they could do bigger and better with some more space though.

[Dewey]

Minneapolis downtown is a dump to what it was, and even then it’s a bottle beck nightmare … if they have any brains, they stay outa the riot zone.

[m2002brian]

Put sports back where they once were. The glory days. Vikings super bowls, twins World Series 1961. North stars hockey. Bring it back to Bloomington.

Go look at google maps, note the size of the target center. Now find MOA and note the size of the lot to the East. That’s the spot. It’s naturally a great spot for a sports arena. Food, entertainment, mass transit, highways, hotels, airport, parking, it’s all there.

[Klomp]

Put sports back where they once were. The glory days. Vikings super bowls, twins World Series 1961. North stars hockey. Bring it back to Bloomington.

Go look at google maps, note the size of the target center. Now find MOA and note the size of the lot to the East. That’s the spot. It’s naturally a great spot for a sports arena. Food, entertainment, mass transit, highways, hotels, airport, parking, it’s all there.

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.

[m2002brian]

Put sports back where they once were. The glory days. Vikings super bowls, twins World Series 1961. North stars hockey. Bring it back to Bloomington.

Go look at google maps, note the size of the target center. Now find MOA and note the size of the lot to the East. That’s the spot. It’s naturally a great spot for a sports arena. Food, entertainment, mass transit, highways, hotels, airport, parking, it’s all there.

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.

[Klomp]

The MOA area would probably be one of the easiest areas to build, because ALL of the needed infrastructure is already in place. Parking, hotels, public transportation, airport, and an empty lot to boot!

[WolfAddict]

No dog in this fight as I'm an Aussie, but interested to see what they actually do.

[TimberKat]

The MOA area would probably be one of the easiest areas to build, because ALL of the needed infrastructure is already in place. Parking, hotels, public transportation, airport, and an empty lot to boot!

Man, going back to Met stadium again? I could go buy some furniture after the game is over.

[Klomp]

The MOA area would probably be one of the easiest areas to build, because ALL of the needed infrastructure is already in place. Parking, hotels, public transportation, airport, and an empty lot to boot!

Man, going back to Met stadium again? I could go buy some furniture after the game is over.

Well, technically the Timberwolves were never down there....

[frankenwolf]

Put sports back where they once were. The glory days. Vikings super bowls, twins World Series 1961. North stars hockey. Bring it back to Bloomington.

Go look at google maps, note the size of the target center. Now find MOA and note the size of the lot to the East. That’s the spot. It’s naturally a great spot for a sports arena. Food, entertainment, mass transit, highways, hotels, airport, parking, it’s all there.

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