Storm knocks Vikings stadium exterior panels loose

Damaged panels on the new U.S. Bank Stadium
Damaged panels seen Wednesday on the new U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis.
Tim Nelson | MPR News

More than a dozen zinc exterior panels on the new U.S. Bank Stadium appear to have come loose during a wind storm that swept through Minneapolis Tuesday night.

Panels had come loose on the building during construction, but the latest incident was clearly weather related, Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority chair Michele Kelm-Helgen said.

"We are looking at understanding why it is they came loose. Obviously there was a storm, but there will be more storms that come," Kelm-Helgen said. "So Mortenson and HKS are just looking at why they came loose and what they need to do to not only to fix them as they sit, but to make sure we have a permanent fix."

Damaged panels on the new US Bank Stadium
Damaged panels on the new U.S. Bank Stadium are visible on the north and east sides of the building in downtown Minneapolis.
Tim Nelson | MPR News

The $1.1 billion stadium is set for a grand opening in just 16 days, and will host an open house for the public July 23-24.

The damaged panels didn't detach and fall off the building, and the damage isn't expected to delay the opening.

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