Vikings pledge another $500K for new stadium, but enhancements won't include bird-safe glass
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Minnesota Vikings have pledged an additional $500,000 for enhancements to the new $1 billion stadium, but despite protests by bird-lovers, the improvements won't improve bird-safe glass.
The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority agreed Friday the Vikings would pay $518,000 for another elevator, two mobile concessions stands, and redesigned media and skyway areas, The Star Tribune reported (http://strib.mn/1D1eJNB ). Most of that money will go toward the elevator — making a total of eight in the building.
About two dozen bird enthusiasts attended Friday's authority meeting, toting signs such as, "It's never too late to do the right thing."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Preservationists argue the glass in the stadium's current design will kill migrating birds who will crash into it. A couple of protesters told the authority to spend an extra $1 million for bird-safe glass.
But it's not in the plan. Authority Chairwoman Michele Kelm-Helgen said the building was designed with an open-air feeling, and the glass on the roof will be fritted to help birds avoid collisions.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com