Reusse: Timberwolves owners’ plan for development around a new arena seems like a very suburban idea

[BleedGopher]

Per Pat:

Lore offered the perfunctory “you can envision it downtown” for a new arena, then took this SGA-style dive away from that:

“We have to obviously find the right location that can support the vision for this new [arena]. We want to make sure we don’t have to sacrifice the vision for what this could be.”

On occasion, I’m required to confer with my younger (aren’t they all) friend and broadcasting colleague on these matters — Judd Zulgad from SKOR North — about the Timberwolves.

“They’re gone from Minneapolis — not just the suburbs, the distant suburbs," Zulgad said. “Hotels, apartment buildings, bars, restaurants … just like the Braves and the Patriots. And don’t underestimate this: thousands of parking spaces.

“The City of Minneapolis is charging 25 bucks a game to park in the ramps next to the arena and Target Field, and the Twins and the Timberwolves get none of the revenue. It’s a city operation.

“Build the arena on your land, you surround it with parking and it’s your money. Forty bucks, 3,000 spots … that’s $120,000 a game for parking."

Plus valet, Judd. “Right! Plus valet,” he said.

A regular Asteroid City somewhere out there in the current boondocks. We skeptics already see that.

Reusse: Timberwolves owners’ plan for new arena seems like a very suburban idea

Can you add restaurants, hotels, bars and retail around a Minneapolis arena? Or do you have to find a spot out of town?

www.startribune.com

Howl Wolves!!

 

[JimmyJamesMD]

I'm in to a suburban arena. Have been for 20 years. Would have preferred vikes stadium so we could have real tailgating. But I'd take a wolves stadium and village.

Thought MoA would be a good spot, but ownership would think there's too many businesses there to take away from revenue

 

[saintpauljeff]

Thanks for the laugh, no one is driving to Rodgers to watch TWolves games lol

Good ing

 

[TruthSeeker]

Thanks for the laugh, no one is driving to Rodgers to watch TWolves games lol

Good ing

Nope. It has to be in one of the 2 big cities or an inner suburb that has easy access to a freeway or highway.

The West End has no room, but a place like that would work due to it's proximity to 100 and 394. It's also centrally located and not an exurb.

Are there any locations like that with some land that is available?

 

[Unregistered User]

Nope. It has to be in one of the 2 big cities or an inner suburb that has easy access to a freeway or highway.

The West End has no room, but a place like that would work due to it's proximity to 100 and 394. It's also centrally located and not an exurb.

Are there any locations like that with some land that is available?

Brookdale mall site. Pretty good access to St Paul and opens up better options for the St Cloud area.

That’s where I would have put the Vikings stadium.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Brookdale mall site. Pretty good access to St Paul and opens up better options for the St Cloud area.

That’s where I would have put the Vikings stadium.

That's a great place.

Lots of space, empty buildings, empty parking lots, right off 100 and close to 694.

 

[GopherGrit]

Yep, probably not going to find a more wide open site than Shingle Creek and Bass Lake. Guessing they would practically give it away, if a team was going to build a new arena or stadium there.

Only thing would be if Crystal Airport would be an issue, but guessing not.

MoA probably makes more sense from pure logistics, but land is probably a lot more expensive. Maybe MSP restrictions as well?