The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority officially received the keys to U.S. Bank Stadium from Mortenson Construction today, as work on the new Minnesota Vikings home has been certified as substantially complete.
The ceremony came at the MSFA’s regularly scheduled meeting this morning. The milestone was reached more than a month ahead of the scheduled July 29 deadline.
“Mortenson Construction has done a phenomenal job keeping us ahead of schedule while building the most amazing stadium in the United States,” said Michele Kelm-Helgen, Chair of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, in a press statement. “Mortenson took building the largest transparent roof in North America and the largest operable doors in the world in stride, and succeeded. We are proud to be their partner.”
U.S. Bank Stadium is 1,750,000 square-feet and cost $1.1 billion to build. With seating for up to 70,000, the stadium features a fixed-roof design with the largest span of transparent ETFE material in the country; five large glass pivoting doors; zinc metal exterior panels; the closest seats to the field in the NFL; seven levels connected by stairs, ramps, escalators and elevators; the first NFL stadium built with LED lighting; increased and enhanced concessions; 2,000 HD flat screen TVs; and two concourses with 360-degree circulation and various views into the bowl.
“Today’s achievement is an incredible feat by HKS, Mortenson Construction, the MSFA and the Vikings, as well as the hundreds of subcontractors and thousands of Minnesota men and women who worked on this project over the last two and a half years,” said Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf. “U.S. Bank Stadium was designed with the fan experience as the number one priority, and to accomplish this milestone ahead of schedule is a testament to the talent and dedication by so many.”
“The stadium stands as a testament to the dedication, expertise, and hard work of so many in the local construction industry,” said John Wood, Senior Vice President at Mortenson Construction. “Mortenson would like to recognize architects HKS for such a magnificent design. U.S. Bank Stadium is the premier stadium in the NFL, and, on behalf of the entire project team, we are proud to hand over the keys to this amazing new facility six weeks early.”
Grand opening for U.S. Bank Stadium is set for July 22, followed by a two-day musical festival on July 23 and 24. The first sporting event will be a soccer friendly between AC Milan v. Chelsea F.C. on Aug. 3, followed by a Vikings preseason game and a regular-season opener against the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 18.
Images courtesy Minnesota Vikings.