Minnesota United Unveil Design For Midway Stadium
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- We're getting the first look at Minnesota United's new stadium in St. Paul.
The team, designers and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman released the designs for the Midway/Snelling facility Wednesday afternoon. Team and city officials say construction on the 20,000-seat stadium will finish in time for the 2018 season.
City officials hope the stadium will be a major force in redeveloping the struggling Midway neighborhood. The area around the facility will be built in phases, and will include office buildings, retail and even movie theaters.
GALLERY: Minnesota United Unveil Midway Stadium Designs
Designers say the stadium is "sustainably designed to minimize environmental impact and energy usage." City officials say the $150 million facility will be privately financed and become publicly owned once construction is complete.
According to a press release from the team, the stadium will feature three hospitality clubs, club seats, lodge boxes, and an area where more than 3,000 fans can stand. The facility will be technologically equipped, too, with complete Wi-Fi coverage and enhanced cell phone coverage.
Designers say the overhead canopy will cover all stadium seating, shielding fans from the elements, and built-in LED lighting can allow the glass to change colors.
The announcement comes a year after Major League Soccer awarded the team a league franchise, beating out several other U.S. cities vying for a spot. The team was previously part of the smaller North American Soccer League.
The decision then came down to where to build the team's new stadium, having outgrown their current facility in Blaine. Mayor Coleman and several league officials announced the Midway/Snelling location in October.