Vikings stadium design open house tonight

A "ribbon-like" roof concept
This artist rendering shows one concept for a new Vikings stadium featuring ribbon-like roof panels, with inset window structures. This was part of the winning bid for the HKS architecture firm.
HKS Architects

The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority is holding the first stop tonight in what it's calling a public listening tour about a new stadium to replace the Metrodome.

HKS architects, the authority and the Vikings will be hosting an open house at the Minneapolis Convention Center, starting at 5:30 p.m.

Authority chairwoman Michele Kelm-Helgen said they're keeping an open mind about the new facility, and want fans, neighbors, taxpayers and users to weigh in.

"The architect agrees and the authority and the team are concerned that we get a chance, that before we get too far in the design process that we actually take some time to talk with the public and listen to what people are hoping and expecting in the new stadium," she said.

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Kelm-Helgen says she's already hearing from people with ideas about the new facility.

"There's a big group that does running and rollerblading at the Metrodome, and those people are always reminding me, and families reminding me, that, to have at least one concourse that is circular and continuous around the stadium is important to them. So, from a design perspective, those are the kinds of things that we want to hear about."

The Authority is planning as many as three other sessions this fall, possibly in Duluth and Rochester, as well as a suburban location. They hope to have at least a preliminary design ready to debut by the end of January next year.

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