Dive Brief:
- The Minnesota Vikings NLF team announced it plans to spend an extra $7.5 million to build out a 17,500-square-foot "group party space" in advance of the 2016 opening of its new home, the $1.1 billion U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, according to the Star Tribune.
- The new space will feature seating for 292 people and standing room for another 612, as well as "group cabins," a bar that serves food, and a drinks bar. Fans that use the area will add to the existing 66,200 stadium seats and will be able to buy tickets, although the price has yet to be determined.
- Vikings officials told the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority at its latest meeting that they decided to finish the group area before the stadium opening, contrary to previous plans to wait, because the construction of the stadium is ahead of schedule and ticket sales are brisk.
Dive Insight:
The MSFA will pay $300,000 a year to the Vikings for five-year access to the party space, but MSFA officials said the usage details have not been worked out.
The MSFA and general contractor Mortenson Construction seemed to overcome their differences in the past, as the stadium construction is ahead of shcedule.
The two parties reached a deal last month over disputed change orders when the MSFA and design firm HKS Architects agreed to put more than $16 million into an escrow fund to cover additional costs. According to the agreement, the escrow funds will be the only compensation Mortenson receives for the extras in question. Prior to the settlement, Mortenson maintained that it was due the extra money for design changes on the stadium, but the MSFA said Mortenson should have anticipated the changes and incorporated them into its original bid.
