Minneapolis Armory

[VikingFaninMaryland]

It is not out of the question to build a skyway link into the Armory but - as it stands - it would be from a parking ramp on one side (which might not be engineered to accommodate such a purpose) to a Juvie detention center on the other - and from there the morgue. [This feeds into one of my "whines" about how the Metronome never attracted business when in fact the City of Minneapolis 1) closed off entertainment and related business development dollars from the dome area in favor of Hennepin Avenue (a justifiable decision in itself) and 2) surrounded the dome by city and county construction building programs (including a morgue and 2 jails)]. But I digress.

Maybe a skyway from the new apartment complex that ties into the WF complex? There is also the idea that skyways could be moved below grade in certain areas - leading to the Viking Stadium along the new park.

The big new draw, it seems, is the Armory's ability to be fully repurposed to tie-in to the new park by creating a northern facing access to accommodate that new environment for entertainment that builds off/adds to the park experience. The challenge would be to create such a north facing access that maintains the integrity of the Armory preservation requirements. In the summer, theater or music in the park and, in the fall, urban "tail-gate" parties leading to the game experience - a party central. There seems to be some real potential here.

I remember being in the Reserves back in the 80's and it was rickety and substandard for actual work purposes then. When "redone" the Armory will not be used for military purposes and, hence, when factoring in the upgrades/updates and remodel of the Armory, it should be done with the recognition that it will be fully repurposed. The historical preservation considerations will most certainly take that into consideration - along with its best purpose moving forward.

[VikingFaninMaryland]

I went to Apple Maps and then to Google Maps and tried to find a way to capture an image of the back of the armory (the north facing wall) but could not figure out how.

With the assist of a a good architectural firm with a sound preservation background, that wall looks very well suited to take on such a role as noted above.

Anyone know how to capture such an image?

[seanrichardryan]

Here ya go https://goo.gl/maps/jIHdg



Snipping Tool and Imgur)

[grant1simons2]

DSC_1202 by grant.simons, on Flickr

[lordmoke]

From the Vikings Stadium aerial webcam it looks like fresh copper is starting to go on the roof near the front of the building. Hooray!

[grant1simons2]

Hopefully all this brick work pays off

Thank you again Ned Abdul by grant.simons, on Flickr

[Wedgeguy]

I'm sure that this will help both with esthetics and with weather intrusion. I've been building where much larger sections have had to be retucked and in the end looks great. Moment of truth will be when they decide on the new windows and how they fit in with the old theme.

[grant1simons2]

New windows are being put in on the 5th St side, they may be on the 6th St side as well but I just saw when I passed by on the train.

[grant1simons2]

DSC_1782 by grant.simons, on Flickr

DSC_1781 by grant.simons, on Flickr

[J2K]

Thanks for posting those pictures! What a beautiful building. It's probably my favorite since I was a kid. My Dad went to many Lakers games there back in the day and I love hearing the stories. I'm so glad it is getting refurbished and those windows look great. Should be there for another generation at least.

[MattW]

It would be pretty cool if the Timberwolves played a preseason game vs the Lakers there. Likely will have to file this in the "things that should happen but don't happen for no particular reason" folder.

[grant1simons2]

Apparently this isn't a local historic landmark? I'm at the HPC meeting now, and it just came up for local designation.

[Nathan]

It might not be listed in the city but I believe it's on the National Historic Registry.

[grant1simons2]

Right. They passed a motion to begin a study.

[Nathan]

To begin a study? I wonder how much that will cost... shouldn't anything on the National Historic Registry just automatically be put on our local registry? That sounds ridiculous.

[NEeaster]

Oh goodies - more good use of tax payers's money. Why even both at this point? The building is being rehabbed and likely won't be torn down any time soon now.

[ztr421]

Being listed on the National Register of Historic Places does not mean something is protected from destruction. Maybe the city designation is meant as added protection for the building in the future. It's true that the rehab would seem to indicate the building is safe, but as we know a few decades may pass and things may change.

[ztr421]

Further, when the Armory was listed in 1985, a report would have been prepared describing the structure and its history. The city's study would not need to cost a lot because it will reference that previous study.

[Nathan]

Being listed on the National Register of Historic Places does not mean something is protected from destruction. Maybe the city designation is meant as added protection for the building in the future. It's true that the rehab would seem to indicate the building is safe, but as we know a few decades may pass and things may change.

As I understand it, it does actually. Minnesota has a state law, anyone familiar?, that states any structure that contributes to the national history of our country shall not be destroyed. I believe that law was created in 1995 to save the armory, it's the same law we used to save peavey plaza once it was on the national historic registry.

[ztr421]

Being listed on the National Register of Historic Places does not mean something is protected from destruction. Maybe the city designation is meant as added protection for the building in the future. It's true that the rehab would seem to indicate the building is safe, but as we know a few decades may pass and things may change.

As I understand it, it does actually. Minnesota has a state law, anyone familiar?, that states any structure that contributes to the national history of our country shall not be destroyed. I believe that law was created in 1995 to save the armory, it's the same law we used to save peavey plaza once it was on the national historic registry.

Well weird - so it is (the cases are referenced on Wikipedia). haha. I'll amend my post to say that being listed generally doesn't mean it's protected...unless there's another law that's specifically protecting the site.