Target Field transit hub commercial development takes shape

The location of the transit hub at Target Field
The location of the transit hub, marked "site," at Target Field, as seen from above in this image provided by Hennepin County.
Courtesy Hennepin County

Hennepin County and private partners announced a deal Tuesday for the development of land near a planned transit hub outside Target Field that will include an amphitheater, retail spaces and a public plaza.

The transit hub, named Target Field Station, has been under construction for about a year. Hennepin County Board Chairman Mike Opat said the county and Metro Transit have been negotiating the development rights for these other nearby parcels of land for much of that time with United Properties and the Minnesota Twins.

"The negotiations were very difficult; it's a very complicated piece of property," Opat said. "It shouldn't be lost on people that the overall project took some courage and vision to make happen."

The agreement today includes plans for a plaza, a coffee shop and other retail space and an amphitheater, which Opat said could host small concerts or events before and after Minnesota Twins games. The agreement also makes way for a second light rail platform at the site and the construction of a large parking ramp.

Opat said much of the nearby development, with the exception of a bigger building that could become a hotel, will be in place by the All-Star Game, which will be held on July 15 at Target Field. The agreement yields the county about $20 million over the next few decades, Opat said. United Properties agreed to take responsibility for maintaining much of the public spaces in the development.

The first phase of Target Field Station is scheduled to open on May 17. The almost $80 million project will serve as a transit hub, potentially connecting five rail lines and serving 500 trains a day.

The station will link the Northstar Commuter rail with the METRO Blue Line (Hiawatha) and the METRO Green Line (Central Corridor), which opens in June. It's also in a position to connect the METRO Green Line (Southwest) and METRO Blue Line (Bottineau) if they're built.

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