MSFA, Vikings Announce Bird Collision Study With Audubon Society
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – With the new Vikings stadium set to open in just one week, officials are addressing one of the top concerns with the stadium.
The Minnesota Sports Facility Authority announced Friday that Audubon Minnesota, the National Audubon Society, the University of Minnesota and Oklahoma State University will lead a study to monitor bird-window collisions at the new stadium.
The study will begin in spring 2017 and the analysis will be released in 2019. Based on the findings, researchers will recommend actions to reduce collisions at the stadium.
Related: 'An Engineering Feat': The Doors At U.S. Bank Stadium
In 2014, the Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis began raising concerns about the clear glass at U.S. Bank Stadium, arguing that the stadium is near an important migratory path and thousands could die by hitting the windows. The group got over 70,000 signatures on a petition to install bird-safe glass.
The MSFA announced in January 2015 that the bird-safe glass would not be installed at the stadium.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for U.S. Bank Stadium is set for July 22. The first game in the stadium will be a soccer match between AC Milan and Chelsea F.C. on Aug. 3.
