Written By Sam Ekstrom
Even though most people got a look at the newly-named US Bank Stadium through some stealthy, middle-of-the-night photography from Scott Heins in a June 17 Deadspin article, the media was legally permitted to enter in broad daylight Monday morning to get a 65 percent update.
If you follow me on Twitter, you got most of these photos in real time. For the rest, here’s a run-through of what you missed.
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Before any of us were permitted to put on a hardhat, we were educated by Mortenson Construction executive Eric Grenz (left) on some of the particulars of the project. According to the deadlines seen above, they hope to beat the snow and have the stadium enclosed by November.
The Countdown To Kickoff clock (right) is a bit deceiving. No, the Vikings aren’t going to have a preseason game on July 29, 2016. That has been labeled as the date when the team is pledging “substantial completion.”
The white dome superimposed over the new stadium demonstrates how tiny the Metrodome was in comparison to this new behemoth.
OK, now we’re in the stadium. The media was only permitted to walk 180 degrees around the lower bowl and view the field from end-to-end. Above, you see the view from behind the end zone with downtown in the background.
Seats will begin going in next month. Wrap-around ribbon-style scoreboards will be installed starting in December.
Here’s what you’ll see after exiting the giant glass doors following a game. Unfortunately, you won’t be depressurized.
And here’s the view you see from the opposite end zone.
Not a fun job if you’re scared of heights.
Sam Ekstrom is a staff writer for Cold Omaha at 105 The Ticket and a play-by-play broadcaster in Burnsville, Minn. Hear him on 105 The Ticket Sunday mornings from 8-11 a.m. on “The Wake Up Call.” Follow him on Twitter @SamEkstrom for further insights.