Latest Target Center renderings show more transparent, glassy facility

MINNEAPOLIS -- Based on the latest architectural renderings, the Timberwolves and Lynx's home digs is set to grant a whole lot more clarity.

Modern, glass-encased upgrades highlight a new set of images released Tuesday during the Minneapolis City Council's Community Development and Regulatory Services Committee meeting. The city council also signed off on a contract with Architectural Alliance and Sink Combs Dethlefs as the architectural and engineering team for the $97 million project.

"The renovated Target Center will . . . be more integrated into the downtown Minneapolis neighborhood," a statement from the Timberwolves and Lynx read. "The transformed facility will be more transparent, giving patrons new views of downtown, while also allowing people outside the building to see the activity inside."

The newest renderings depict a giant see-through entrance lobby attached to the building's west-facing corner and a similar addition running along the northwest side, parallel to Target Field. Upgrades are also expected to include a new scoreboard, new seats, additional gathering spaces and improved traffic flow and amenities.

The full Minneapolis City Council will vote May 23 on whether to approve the design team selection, the next step in the process to update the 23-year-old venue. Preliminary estimates say the work will take 18-24 months to complete.

Timberwolves and Lynx senior vice president of marketing Ted Johnson told FOXSportsNorth.com recently he hoped construction would begin sometime this summer.

Meanwhile, officials hope the teams' new Mayo Clinic Square practice facility -- which will connect via Skyway to the Target Center -- will be ready in time for the Timberwolves training camp this fall.

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