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US Bank Stadium security upgrades to cost additional $62 million
Previous estimates from the MSFA suggested the price of Phase II was expected to cost around $48 million. Estimates released Thursday came back $14 million higher.
MINNEAPOLIS — A plan to improve security at U.S. Bank Stadium is getting more expensive according to a new request from the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA).
The MSFA announced Phase II of the permanent secured perimeter project at the stadium will cost around $62.3 million on Thursday.
Previous estimates from the MSFA suggested the price of Phase II was expected to cost around $48 million.
This money is in addition to the $15.7 million that has already been approved by the Minnesota Legislature for Phase I of the project.
According to the MSFA, Phase I includes the design and construction of a new system of anti-climbing fencing, crash-rated barriers, and other security improvements in the north, east and south portions of the stadium.
Phase I construction is underway and will be completed in 2024.
Phase II of the project will focus on the west side of the stadium, which includes the stadium’s Legacy Gate, Medtronic Plaza and Downtown East Plaza.
The MSFA said the security improvements will meet the SAFETY Act requirements from the Department of Homeland Security.
In a statement, the MSFA stated Phase II “exceeds the capability for the MSFA to fund with the stadium’s current funding mechanisms.”
The authority is now looking to Governor Walz and the Minnesota legislature to fund the project.
The MSFA “looks forward to further discussions with the Governor and legislative leaders to review and plan for ongoing needs”
Governor Walz said he isn’t surprised the Phase II estimates came in higher than expected.
He says he is open to a conversation with legislators and the MSFA regarding additional state money to pay for these upgrades.
“I look forward to working with them on it. I think this is just one of the things that happens and these costs in the world kind of going up. I am still a big believer that these are great facilities for Minnesota. They have the opportunity to have huge economic impacts and we’re willing to work together,” Walz says.
KARE 11 also reached out to several leaders in the state legislature to get their thoughts on this new funding request.
A spokesperson for Senate Republicans said leaders are requesting additional time to look through the proposal before issuing a formal comment.
KARE 11 also asked the MSFA for further explanation of why these security upgrades are needed at the stadium.
An MSFA spokesperson sent KARE 11 this detailed response explaining why maintaining the stadium’s “SAFETY Act Designation” is important:
For U.S. Bank Stadium, the SAFETY Act Designation means:
- Confirmation that our security program meets or exceeds a high standard of excellence;
- The offering of significant federal liability protections against third-party claims arising out of an act of terrorism;
- Support through ongoing dialogue and review with SAFETY Act reviewers;
- and confidence for best-in-class security experiences for fans, clients, promoters, vendors, public safety, and community members.
- The delay or decision not to pursue a permanent secured perimeter may cause a loss of ability for U.S. Bank Stadium to be awarded future designations.
Here is the full statement from the MSFA regarding Phase II of the project and the funding request:
At today’s meeting of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA), JE Dunn and The Tegra Group provided an update for Phase I of the permanent secured perimeter project, which is currently under construction. Phase I became fully funded with the appropriation of $15.7 million as a result of the 2023 legislative session. This phase of the permanent secured perimeter project covers the North, East, and South portions of the facility with the design and construction of a new system of anti-climb fencing, crash-rated barriers, and bollards. We are pleased that Phase I is on pace with the original timeline and is within the budget. The MSFA Board was also provided with a first look at Phase II of the permanent secured perimeter from the architectural firm, Populous. Phase II will finalize the permanent secured perimeter plan entirely by focusing on the west portion of the stadium perimeter near the stadium’s Legacy Gate, Medtronic Plaza, and Downtown East Plaza. Phase II will enhance public safety, preserve community access, meet the SAFETY Act requirements set forth by the Department of Homeland Security, and complete the vision for U.S. Bank Stadium. The permanent secured perimeter project will ultimately protect Minnesota’s asset and the important investment that the public made to create U.S. Bank Stadium, which has proven to be a successful economic generator for the State of Minnesota and the City of Minneapolis. With a cost estimate of $62.3 million, Phase II exceeds the capability for the MSFA to fund with the stadium’s current funding mechanisms. The MSFA is prepared for most routine, short-term capital improvement needs, but will need assistance on larger projects like the permanent secured perimeter. As stewards of this facility, the MSFA looks forward to further discussions with the Governor and legislative leaders to review and plan for ongoing needs in effort to maintain and preserve U.S. Bank Stadium as a world-class venue.
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The chief was discussing the shooting of Davis Maturi, who for months had been contact with the MPD about escalating harassment from his neighbor, John Sawchak.
MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said his department “failed” after a man was shot, allegedly by his neighbor in the city.
“We failed this victim. 100%, because that should not have happened to him,” said O’Hara in a Sunday evening press conference.
The chief was discussing the shooting of Davis Moturi, who for months had been contact with the MPD about escalating harassment from his neighbor, John Sawchak.
Sawchak was charged with shooting Moturi as he was pruning a tree on his front yard on Oct. 23.
Moturi remains hospitalized with a fractured spine, two broken ribs, and a concussion.
O’Hara and the MPD came under a heavy attack from the Minneapolis City Council after it was revealed that the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office had charged Sawchak, but the MPD had not arrested him.
“MPD still has not arrested the suspect despite charges from the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office for Attempted Murder, 1st Degree Assault, Stalking, and Harassment and a request from the HCAO for a warrant with $1 million bail. MPD told the HCAO they do not intend to execute the warrant ‘for reasons of officer safety,’” said the letter from the Minneapolis City Council.
“We failed to act urgently enough,” said O’Hara, before citing staffing concerns as a contributing factor.
It was a stark difference from the tone the chief initially took on Friday, then saying “If we wound up in a deadly situation, the headlines would read ‘MPD shot mentally ill person’.”
On Sunday, O’Hara said his previous comments were meant as a response to accusations that the MPD “didn’t care,” about the case.
“This is the result of over-politicizing policing in Minneapolis,” said O’Hara.
O’Hara stated that the MPD will, for the moment, continue waiting for Sawchak to exit his home to arrest him, but the chief added “We are running out of options before we have to escalate the matter.”
The heated back-and-forth between the city council and the chief continued earlier Sunday when Minneapolis City Council member Emily Koski released a statement questioning O’Hara and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey actions in the matter.
“Our Chief of Police is hiding behind excuses, and our Mayor…is just hiding.” said Koski in the statement.
Cities across Minnesota expanded voting hours and locations for the upcoming presidential election.
MINNEAPOLIS — Expanded early voting hours and locations are giving Minnesotans more opportunities to cast their ballots before the general election.
Over 1,000 people visited Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services over the weekend to make their voice heard.
“We have always voted as a family. We have this right as Americans to vote, and we wanted him to know right from the get-go that you’ve got to vote in every single election because this is our voice, this is our opportunity to really pick the future that we want based on the candidate that we vote for,” said Kelly Wallander.
Kelly and her husband, Claude, picked up their son Harrison from college, so they could all vote in the general election for the first time as a family.
“It’s interesting. It’s cool to see elections on TV, basically as long as I can remember, and now know that I’m a part of it and being able to vote with my parents is cool,” Harrison said.
“I like voting early just because exactly you miss the line and you get it in there,” Claude said.
Director of Elections and Voter Services for the City of Minneapolis Katie Smith said the past two days have been busy.
“We’ve had really solid turnout. We’ve had about 42,000 people who have already voted in this election,” she said.
She anticipates next weekend will be even busier.
“Every year we kind of looking at how many people we’re planning for and how many people are coming through. We try to always expand our service hours as we get closer and closer to the election,” she said.
Smith said they’ve also started using pop-up voting locations to reach more people.
“In 2023, there was a legislative change that allows for us to have sites around the city that are open for different lengths of time as well as different dates form our main site. We’ve really taken the opportunity to host some one-day early vote pop-ups… in some unique and really great spaces throughout the city,” Smith said.
Sunday’s pop-up was at the Capri Theater. Paige Gayle voted here along with her sister.
“I like early voting because it’s convenient, it’s fast and it’s quick,” she said. “I work on actual election day, so for me it was important to get out beforehand.”
Smith said offering more voting opportunities for people in Minneapolis is crucial to their work.
“It’s so important to be able to offer all of these voting methods so that people can find something that works really well for them and make their voting plan,” Smith said.
Voters tell KARE 11 one of the perks to early voting is little to no wait. Voting early also gives them peace of mind and is one less thing to do on election day.
“It’s so much more convenient. This way I don’t have to worry about it. I’ll still be working on election day, so I would have had to go in before or after work. Now, I don’t have to worry about it. I know my vote will be counted,” Macy Bauers said.
Bauers said she votes in every election and hopes more people take advantage of early voting in the coming days.
The two adults who were killed were both male, according to the department, which is investigating the shooting.
MINNEAPOLIS — Three people were shot, two of them fatally in a Minneapolis encampment on Sunday afternoon, according to the Minneapolis Police Department.
The shooting occurred on the 4400 block of Snelling Avenue shortly after 3 p.m., said the MPD.
The two adults who were killed were both male, according to the department, which is investigating the shooting.
A woman was also taken to the hospital after the shooting and is in critical condition, said the MPD.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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