Vikings stadium bird study in the works
![The windows give fans a view of downtown.](https://img.apmcdn.org/55dfbda68d7baf0cd6385e3f6582fca4cbc4863b/uncropped/cc9479-20160216-stadium09.jpg)
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An agreement could be announced within weeks to study whether the glass on the new Minnesota Vikings stadium is harmful to birds.
Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority chair Michele Kelm-Helgen said her agency is working to finalize a research proposal to satisfy concerns of the Audubon Society. The group and other bird-protection organizations are worried that massive glass panels on the $1.1 billion stadium's exterior will confuse and kill birds.
In an update for lawmakers, Kelm-Helgen said a study could be announced at a July 15 meeting. She said officials want to examine whether the collision concerns bear out before retrofitting the glass with a special film that cuts down on reflections.
"At this time we first want to find out if we have a problem with the birds or not before we spend the money to put film on the building not knowing if we actually have a problem or not," Kelm-Helgen said.
Earlier this year, Kelm-Helgen said tests of different types of window film were planned, with monitoring by the University of Minnesota.
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