Brendan Patrick Hughes examines what other cities can learn from the recently constructed Target Field.
By delivering on the kind of promises for infrastructure improvements that typically go unmet in publicly funded stadium projects, the $550 million Target Field has had a "transformative effect" on Minneapolis, writes Hughes. Light rail extensions, new bicycle lanes, an accompanying bike-share program, and nearby transit-oriented development are among the upgrades.
City officials are confident the stadium will have a lasting impact, Hughes says. He quotes Andrew Dahl, assistant to Minneapolis's economic development director:
"Transit, biking and pedestrian access to games and through the neighborhoods has soared. Restaurants and bars are bursting at the seams. A few accompanying policy changes have resulted in the city's first pedicabs and street food vendors. I think when we look back 10 or 20 years from now at what Minneapolis has become, this stadium will really be the definitive turning point."
FULL STORY: City Study: Minneapolis
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Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research