urbanMSP

Yes, I guess for bikers, it would have some benefit. My initial thought was more for pedestrians -- from Washington Avenue,it's a long walk before you get anywhere that you'd want to be.

It could be a really cool pedestrian Mall for the New DTE, and Mill City Residents. They could put in that Trader Joe's and a few cafes, it would be a pedestrian destination then

Ryan has posted a fly through video, which reveals the project from some angles that haven't been well publicized:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGHWnjg ... e=youtu.be

There's also a PDF with high res images:

http://www.ryancompanies.com/upload/eas ... erings.pdf

Those flyover and PDF files are great, thanks Rich!

But... with the actual Vikings Stadium design now included in Ryan's models, it really shows how massive it is going to be. Holy crap. I mean, that odd slanted alien landing pad pointing to the sky looks like it will be taller than the 20 story buildings.

Those apartments tenants will get a nice bonus when they can rent out their units for Super Bowl weekend.

Perhaps I've missed this along the way but what is going to happen to the parking ramp there at Chicago/Park and 4/5th? I think the entrance is on Park and I know the underground ramp was built to support a future building on top of it.

Perhaps I've missed this along the way but what is going to happen to the parking ramp there at Chicago/Park and 4/5th? I think the entrance is on Park and I know the underground ramp was built to support a future building on top of it.

Not sure what they have planned, but I'm all for building a building there as a way to keep the light rail separate and not act live the Berlin Wall as people will not get to cross at that point anyway! What ever they build should be avente guard Like the stadium. IT should push the limit of good design.

You're right, the entrance is on Park. Other forumers have made that observation as well. I personally don't see how the entrance could easily be moved to another side. And yes, the ramp was built to support a future building. No one knows why we're talking about not doing that anymore. Most of the ramp, due to elevator shafts, the entrance(s), ventilation equipment, etc. is actually above grade. Whether Park Ave stays open or is closed, I don't see how the top of this ramp becomes any sort of useable plaza. It certainly isn't going to be covered in grass and contiguous with the park. I'd be dumbfounded if Ryan didn't want development rights on top of it, especially considering they want options to build on the other end of the park and on top of the 1,300-space ramp they're building.

This is what it looks like from Park: http://goo.gl/maps/Tgmde

I just don't see how that half block of hardscape becomes part of the park. Excellent point about the train tracks forming a barrier between this parcel and the stadium. There are no advantages to not putting a building on top of this.

Maybe the top of this ramp could be the park/public building?

Maybe the top of this ramp could be the park/public building?

They could leave a strip of green space of 8-10 feet as a buffer to the LRT line. But they damn well better not make a solid brick walk fronting that elevation if they do in fact build a building!

Didn't Alatus buy that ramp? Excuse me, "Minneapolis Venture LLC".

http://gis.co.hennepin.mn.us/Property/m ... ,0,0,0,0,0

Yes, but MSFA has to buy it now (for more than Alatus paid the City, no doubt) and Ryan will operate along with the other 2 ramps they are building.

Damn, would have been a great spot for a casino.

Most of the ramp, due to elevator shafts, the entrance(s), ventilation equipment, etc. is actually above grade.

I was wondering why the Skyway jutting out South of the new ramp into the park was needed. Looks as though they would tie into the existing elevator/stairwell in the underground ramp.
You can see it from ~sec 33-36 in the updated flythrough:

Most of the ramp, due to elevator shafts, the entrance(s), ventilation equipment, etc. is actually above grade.

I was wondering why the Skyway jutting out South of the new ramp into the park was needed. Looks as though they would tie into the existing elevator/stairwell in the underground ramp.
You can see it from ~sec 33-36 in the updated flythrough:

Also you can see the ventilation shafts sticking out all over the front part of the yard closest to the stadium as the larger picture shows.

That empty lot on the south side of the armory needs to go.

Where would it go? We are running out of space to move it.

Huh?

LOL

I've heard chirps from some birds that Thrivent is looking to develop those parcels but they're waiting for the right deal. They're not desperate to move on those by any means, and they are a very conservative company when it comes to this kind of decisionmaking (I once worked there).

The thread for the Thrivent blocks is here, btw:
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1102