Lawsuit Aims to Chop Down Proposed Minneapolis Park

A park planned to accompany Minneapolis' new football stadium has raised controversy because of the amount of proposed subsidies. While the details are worked out, planners consider the elements that will ensure its success.

1 minute read

December 24, 2013, 7:00 AM PST

By Alek Miller


The new park, which will accompany the city's new football stadium, will bring welcome green space to downtown Minneapolis. However, the park and an adjacent parking garage have been approved for city bonds that push it into controversial and, some say, illegal territory by exceeding the state's allowable threshold for spending on infrastructure improvements. 

"lawsuit filed last week argues that this violates state laws for the stadium’s public funding, which capped infrastructure improvements at $150 million. The Yard and adjacent parking lot, the lawsuit argues, fall under that umbrella and push it over the $150 million threshold," writes Bill Bradley.

However, many remain optimistic about the fate of the park and have moved on to questions about how to make the park successful with programming: "[A]s Streets.MN wrote last week, 'By far the most important piece of a successful park is not its design but rather its programming.' The Yard will host tailgaters during Vikings’ home games, but it can’t just be a bunch of guys wearing purple and yellow chugging High Life on Sundays. The city needs to think about ice rinks, potential vendors, concert series, festivals — the sort of programming that makes it a destination 365 days a year," urges Bradley.

Monday, December 16, 2013 in Next City

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Bird's eye view of manufactured home park.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

March 25, 2025 - Shelterforce

U-Haul truck on road with blurred grassy roadside in background.

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?

Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

March 27, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Rusty abandoned oil well and equipment with prickly pear cactus next to it in West Texas.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage

Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

March 31, 2025 - Pennsylvania State University

Downtown Los Angeles skyline viewed from a distance with freeway and trees in foreground.

Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods

A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.

April 3 - USC Dornsife

Aerial view of Claifornia aqueduct with green orchard on one side.

California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy

California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.

April 3 - Turlock Journal

Close-up of older woman's hands resting on white modern heating radiator mounted on wall indoors.

HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program

The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.

April 3 - The New York Times