Lawsuit Aims to Chop Down Proposed Minneapolis Park

A park planned to accompany Minneapolis' new football stadium has raised controversy because of the amount of proposed subsidies. While the details are worked out, planners consider the elements that will ensure its success.

1 minute read

December 24, 2013, 7:00 AM PST

By Alek Miller


The new park, which will accompany the city's new football stadium, will bring welcome green space to downtown Minneapolis. However, the park and an adjacent parking garage have been approved for city bonds that push it into controversial and, some say, illegal territory by exceeding the state's allowable threshold for spending on infrastructure improvements. 

"lawsuit filed last week argues that this violates state laws for the stadium’s public funding, which capped infrastructure improvements at $150 million. The Yard and adjacent parking lot, the lawsuit argues, fall under that umbrella and push it over the $150 million threshold," writes Bill Bradley.

However, many remain optimistic about the fate of the park and have moved on to questions about how to make the park successful with programming: "[A]s Streets.MN wrote last week, 'By far the most important piece of a successful park is not its design but rather its programming.' The Yard will host tailgaters during Vikings’ home games, but it can’t just be a bunch of guys wearing purple and yellow chugging High Life on Sundays. The city needs to think about ice rinks, potential vendors, concert series, festivals — the sort of programming that makes it a destination 365 days a year," urges Bradley.

Monday, December 16, 2013 in Next City

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today