Apr 10, 2007 7:09 pm US/Central
Hennepin County Votes To Take Twins Ballpark Land
by Heather Brown
Minneapolis (WCCO) ―
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The ballpark plan is expected to be unveiled on Thursday. (File)
CBS
With a promise of financial support from the Twins, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners voted to put down more than $13 million in exchange for control of the land where they want to build the stadium.
In a 4-2 vote Tuesday afternoon, the county and the Twins moved a big step closer to opening the ballpark opening day 2010.
"We're committing to the site," said County Commissioner, Mike Opat. "We haven't done that before like this."
For four months, the Twins and the county have disagreed with the landowners over the fair value of the eight acre piece of land in downtown Minneapolis.
Tuesday's move meant the county can take the land within 30 days. Its total price will ultimately be determined by the court in June.
The Twins have agreed to pay the difference between the $13 million and what the court decides. Their money will go toward infrastructure costs, like sewers, electrical and sidewalks.
"Today is a good day," said the Twins lead negotiator Jerry Bell. "You can never be confident until everything is done but this was a huge step today."
The Twins want to start clearing the land by May. They've already put out the bid for that work to contractors but no one has been chosen yet.
A potential deal-breaker is the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad and moving its tracks. The Twins agreed to be responsible for liability to the railroad once the ballpark opens. Bell said initial meetings with the railroad have gone well.
"I'm not really sure we're done yet. When I see the bulldozer out there and Jerry Bell smiling for more than a couple of minutes, then I'll know we're there," said Opat.
The landowners are watching the negotiations with the railroad closely.
Rich Pogin, of Land Partners II said that Twins fans should put the champagne on ice but don't pop the corks yet.
On Thursday, the Twins will release new designs for the stadium which expect to have a few differences.
"This will not be Camden Yards. This will be Minnesota's ballpark," said Bell.
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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