U.S. Bank Stadium 80 percent complete, sports facilities panel hears

The future home of the Minnesota Vikings is now 80 percent complete ahead of next year’s scheduled opening, the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Sports Facilities heard Monday.

Michele Kelm-Helgen, chair of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, presents an update on U.S. Bank Stadium development during a Dec. 14 meeting of the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Sports Facilities. Photo by Andrew VonBank

Michele Kelm-Helgen, chair of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority that is overseeing construction of the $1.1 billion U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis, delivered an update to lawmakers on construction of the building that will house the state’s professional football team as its primary tenant, the 2018 Super Bowl and 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four. 

The stadium is now enclosed as work continues on the building’s interior, Kelm-Helgen told the commission, and remains on track for an August 2016 grand opening. The multipurpose facility replaces the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome that was demolished in 2014.

Lawmakers also heard from Vikings Executive Vice President of Public Affairs Lester Bagley on additional investments the organization has made in the stadium.

WATCH Full video of Monday’s hearing on our YouTube channel