St. Peter: More Target Field upgrades in the works

In the Star Tribune's recent piece on Hennepin County's debt repayment schedule for the Target Field construction costs, Twins president Dave St. Peter told the paper that in addition to the current upgrades at the ballpark (which include the creation of patio seating in the obstructed-seating right field bleacher seats - see image below), the Twins have intentions of adding more to the facility.

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After the 2013 season, St. Peter said, the team might seek help with upgrades for the 2014 All-Star Game. Under consideration is a remaking of the concessions areas, a stronger connection to a renovated Target Center, and new video boards.

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Most make sense, although I'm not quite sure what constitutes a "stronger connection" to the neighboring Target Center. The plaza pretty much accomplishes that.

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I got a chance to see the patio area when I went to Target Field for their "Clubhouse Sale". My first thought was, "the bottleneck in that area is bad enough already... this is going to make it much worse."

I'm typically someone that will stay in my seat from beginning to end, but I've wondered why that area always gets so congested. I asked the usher-type fellow that was with and he said he wondered the same thing. I'm guessing it will look pretty neat when it's complete, but it's still a curious decision, in my opinion. Now if it's being set up in such a manner that helps open up the flow of people, then, yeah, it's a great idea.

Upgrade the team instead of the stadium, please.

Put that money into the roster.

So predictable

I wonder whether they are going to have another concert (or a tractor pull or the like) right before the AS game in 2014, like they had last season and having this season. The OF grass was hideously damaged by that concert. I'd rather see them keep their baseball only venue, (big league) baseball only and keep the field in top-notch shape, before they want to venture into "improvements".

Improved access to the exits may be quite useful after the last two seasons and the roster "improvements" they've made this offseason.

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Originally Posted by FrodaddyG

Improved access to the exits may be quite useful after the last two seasons and the roster "improvements" they've made this offseason.

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More public financing sought to continue the bread and circuses...while Rome burns...just the presciption.... for the one and only game in 2014 sure to draw above 25000 in attendance.

It's pretty short sighted to think that just because the team is not good now, that they won't be good ever? Only make improvements when things are going good?

The Twins are spending the money on improvements. No new tax dollars are being contributed. By 2014, the central corridor light rail will have begun service, which may take additional fans to gate 6 and away from the congested areas around 34 and 29. The additions to the plaza would probably include covering more area which is currently open to 394 below. More space means more options for events and areas for fans to mingle before entering the gates. These changes outside TF would probably be funded at least partially by the city, county or state.

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Originally Posted by minn55441

It's pretty short sighted to think that just because the team is not good now, that they won't be good ever? Only make improvements when things are going good?

The Twins are spending the money on improvements. No new tax dollars are being contributed. By 2014, the central corridor light rail will have begun service, which may take additional fans to gate 6 and away from the congested areas around 34 and 29. The additions to the plaza would probably include covering more area which is currently open to 394 below. More space means more options for events and areas for fans to mingle before entering the gates. These changes outside TF would probably be funded at least partially by the city, county or state.

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Contradiction on new public monies being used within your second paragraph.

Topic-related (and probably fell through the cracks on sports coverage these days) : Because of the situation with the interest rates these days, Hennepin county was able to do some creative buying back and refinancing debt, that makes them pay the whole debt they occurred for TF about 10 years earlier, which means that they save more than $50 M. I wonder whether some of that $ might go towards any future improvements of the area. And that is money already budgeted and "spent".

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Originally Posted by thrylos98

Topic-related (and probably fell through the cracks on sports coverage these days) : Because of the situation with the interest rates these days, Hennepin county was able to do some creative buying back and refinancing debt, that makes them pay the whole debt they occurred for TF about 10 years earlier, which means that they save more than $50 M. I wonder whether some of that $ might go towards any future improvements of the area. And that is money already budgeted and "spent".

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Interesting.

Jokin, my point was that the twins are funding all of the improvements inside Target field. No tax dollars involved.

For claritiy, I could have then started a new paragraph and said that if additions to the plaza are in the works, these would be funded partially by tax dollars.

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Originally Posted by Parker Hageman

Most make sense, although I'm not quite sure what constitutes a "stronger connection" to the neighboring Target Center. The plaza pretty much accomplishes that.

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I always wondered why they only covered the two ends of the plaza that overpassed 394. Maybe they'll bridge the rest of it. Probably need a bunch of room for more statues too.