Maria Elena Baca, Hennepin County Public Affairs, 612-348-7865

Hennepin County approves Target Field Station development agreements

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners, Regional Rail Authority, and Housing and Redevelopment Authority gave approval Tuesday to final agreements with United Properties, the Minnesota Twins and Metro Transit for development around Target Field Station, a multimodal transportation station located just to the west of the ballpark.

The station is set to open May 17. This set of agreements clears the way for a second platform for light rail transit, a public plaza connecting to the ballpark promenade, a Great Lawn amphitheater, a 289-stall parking ramp, retail space and a landscaped area suitable for additional development.

Target Field Station is a visionary project that unites transit and entertainment in the core of the region. Seeing these agreements through required hard work and a lot of trust between the negotiating parties, said Hennepin County Board Chairman Mike Opat. The result will be a breathtaking piece of architecture that provides essential improvements for transit riders and downtown visitors from all over.

Eventually, Target Field Station will connect approximately 500 trains arriving and departing daily via the METRO Blue Line (Hiawatha), the METRO Green Line (Central Corridor) and the Northstar Commuter Rail. The METRO Green Line (Southwest) and Blue Line (Bottineau) extensions will bring additional rail service and connections to the region.

The various lines and transit modes that converge on Target Field Station, coupled with 81 game days each year, makes this a dynamic and exciting space, said Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin. The enormous investment interest in the area has dramatically changed the surrounding tax base. If you put it all together, Hennepin Countys partnership with the Minnesota Twins, Metro Transit, and United Properties will yield an estimated value of approximately $20 million to the County.

Tens of thousands of rail and bus commuters passing through the area each day will have access to existing amenities such as the ballpark, the Minneapolis Farmers Market, abundant entertainment, and other amenities that will be realized as the area is redeveloped.