The area west of Target Field, already being developed as a transit hub, will also sport an amphitheater, retail, a parking ramp, public spaces and potentially a hotel under a deal struck by Hennepin County, the Minnesota Twins and United Properties.
United Properties is a privately owned commercial real-estate development and investment firm owned by the Pohlad family, which also owns the Twins. United Properties has developed other parcels near Target Field, including the Ford Center.
The development of Target Field Station is not new; it was announced almost a year ago that the transit hub servicing all five Metro Transit light-rail lines. What’s new: a second light-rail platform and retail spaces, as well as the parking garage and potentially a hotel. It’s designed by the Twins and Hennepin County as a destination before and after Twins games, as well as serving commuter needs daily. Much of the work, save the parking ramp and hotel, will be completed for the July 15 MLB All-Star Game. From the Star Tribune:
Both United Properties…and county commissioners heaped praise on the complicated deal, which has the team developing neighboring parcels of land and “activating” the public plaza near Target Field with a large video screen, concerts and events at an amphitheater.
For the county, the hub becomes the literal center of the Twin Cities light-rail constellation, eventually providing one-seat rides from the farthest points of the lines in the north, south, east and west. Commuter rail lines also will flow to the site.
Twins President Dave St. Peter said transit has been a “huge part” of the Target Field experience from the beginning and will only grow as more light-rail lines snake into what is now called Target Field station. The team has a “great deal of interest” in ensuring the area around the field thrives 365 days a year, he said.
Rendering courtesy Hennepin County.
RELATED STORIES: Twins, Hennepin County planning major transit hub at Target Field
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