How’s the Target Center renovation with the Timberwolves going?

Courtesy city of Minneapolis

Almost a year after it won legislative approval, the Vikings stadium is still stirring up controversy. But Target Center? Not so much. The proposed 

$150 million

 

$135 million

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$100 million

 

$121 million

 $100 million redo of the city-owned arena is inching along, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said this week.

"We're moving. We continue to have conversations. We're close, but we're not done," Rybak said  in an interview. The Timberwolves/Lynx and arena management firm AEG are also expected to be partners in the project.

Target Center renovation
Courtesy city of Minneapolis

At one point the project looked like it might start in May of this year.

But Rybak wasn't sounding sure it'll happen this year.

"There is absolutely no clock on this. We'd obviously love to get it done for this construction season, but I think I have been telling you since the beginning, that this isn't about getting it done fast. It's about getting it right, and I think as we proved with negotiations with the football stadium, with the financial projection that is proving to be strong, that getting it right is more important."

Recently, the city reported hospitality taxes raised $4 million more than expected last year. That money currently goes to help pay Minneapolis Convention Center debt, but would eventually pay the city's share of the Vikings stadium and Target Center renovations.