A Kansas City-based design firm has been selected to assist with the planned $97 million renovation of Target Center in downtown Minneapolis.
The Minnesota Timberwolves said Tuesday that Dimensional Innovations was chosen “after an extensive review that included design firms from around the country.”
The 23-year-old Target Center is owned by the City of Minneapolis, which previously said it will foot about half the bill for the renovation. The Timberwolves and Lynx are expected to pay $43 million, and the arena’s management firm—AEG Facilities—will pay $5.5 million. The deal also calls for a $50 million capital reserve fund for ongoing improvements.
The renovation is meant to add more gathering spaces and clubs, improve traffic flow, and add new amenities. Architects from Minneapolis and Denver were selected earlier this year, and their previously released renderings illustrate some of the planned upgrades. Golden Valley-based Mortenson Construction will be the construction manager for the project.
The Minnesota Timberwolves said Tuesday that the design firm, Dimensional Innovations, has been tapped to provide “experiential branding, theming, and wayfinding” for the renovation project. In other words, Dimensional Innovations will likely focus on design elements such as signage.
Ted Johnson, chief marketing officer and senior vice president of marketing for the Timberwolves and Lynx, said in a statement that the teams were impressed with Dimensional Innovations’ work on other venues.
Dimensional Innovations’ website lists a wide range of previous projects, including work at other sports stadiums. For example, it has performed work for the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies stadiums and helped design Kansas State University’s basketball training facility, among other projects. Some of its work at venues include interactive digital touchscreens and large LED signage and graphics.
“We have a lot to work with here–the brands of the Timberwolves and Lynx, the global brands of the leagues, the unique architectural vision, plus a great sense of place in downtown Minneapolis–we have a lot of assets to leverage in building a one-of-a-kind fan experience,” Dimensional Innovations' Sports Practice Director Justin Wood said in a statement.
The Target Center project's organizers have created a website that includes some more details about the renovation plan, which has been downsized since it was first announced.
“Throughout this renovation process, we have been focused on finding ways improve to the visitor experience at Target Center," Johnson said. "[Dimensional Innovations] will help us accomplish this by creating iconic features that provide unique moments and experiences for fans.”