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Minnesota United FC Unveils Stadium Construction Timeline

Minnesota United FC stadium rendering

In light of a recent boost for the project, Minnesota United FC has released a timeline on the construction of its new stadium.

Last week, a long sought-after set of tax breaks for the project was signed into law by Minnesota governor Mark Dayton. With that agreement in place, United is moving forward with its plas to construct a new, privately-financed stadium in St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood.

Recently, the organization unveiled a new timeline for the construction of the stadium. The timeline, which is subject to change, calls for a groundbreaking to take place this summer, kick starting a process that would allow the stadium to open in the spring of 2019. More from the team’s announcement:

  • Early summer 2017: Groundbreaking
  • Late winter 2018: Structural steel complete
  • Fall 2018: Envelope (outer structure) complete
  • Spring 2019: Opening

A number of elements are going to make this one of the best and most intimate soccer venues anywhere. The 360-degree canopy protects 85% of the roughly 19,600 seats from inclement weather, plus traps the crowd noise. The closest seat to the pitch is 17 feet away while the farthest is just 125 feet away at the top of an upper bowl with a rake of 33.4 degrees, putting fans directly on top of the action. The safe-standing Supporters Section rakes even more steeply at an angle of 34.75 degrees, creating an imposing wall behind goal.

One of the stadium’s most striking features as a landmark will be the color-changing LEDs that encircle the building. These LEDs will be programmable, with the capability to change color, intensity and patterning to reflect holidays and events inside or outside of the stadium.

Due consideration has been given to environmental concerns, both in terms of the pitch itself and the building as a whole. A hydronic heating system can “wake up” the grass in the early spring and also keep it cool via air circulation in the summer, while a comprehensive drainage system maximizes the re-use of stormwater and minimizes discharge. The building has been designed to be bird-safe and energy efficient, with plans for a 1.5 acre greenspace north of the stadium across Shields Avenue, which will be extended to run in front of the building.

United joined MLS this season as an expansion franchise, and is using the University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium as its home facility until the new stadium opens.

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