Mortenson: Vikings stadium ‘substantially complete’

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By Brian Johnson
Dolan Newswires

A Mortenson Construction executive offered up what he on Friday called a “pretty straightforward” status report on the construction of U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis.

John Wood, senior vice president of the company headquartered in Golden Valley, Minn., summed the project up in two words: “substantially complete.”

After 30 months of construction overseen by Mortenson, the $1.11 billion home of the Minnesota Vikings is “essentially done,” Mortenson said Friday before handing a ceremonial key to the Vikings and the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority.

“The building is now yours to occupy and use,” Wood said.

Although some punch list items still remain and a commissioning process is still ahead, the work is wrapping up about six weeks ahead of schedule. Wood said he believes that’s a first for a project like this.

“We are pretty confident that has never been accomplished before on an NFL stadium of this scale,” Wood said.

Michele Kelm-Helgen, chair of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, said Friday morning that documents signifying substantial completion would be signed and certified later in the day. Certification essentially transfers the responsibility of operating the building from Mortenson to the MSFA.

The project included about $498 million worth of public money. The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority is the public body overseeing construction.

The next step is to start commissioning the 1.75 million-square-foot stadium, which was built on a part of a site once home to the Metrodome, where the Vikings were previously based.

“We will have people go in and start testing kitchens, fryers, appliances. We will have keys. There is still a long punch list that is to be done,” Kelm-Helgen said.

She there are about 30 days, from  the time of substantial completion, to finish all those tasks.

With substantial completion, the training for certain staff members can now begin.

“That is a big deal to allow the folks who are going to be working event to come in. … All that training can start happening inside the building,” she said.

Although Mortenson would have been penalized had it failed to complete the project by July 29, it’s not getting any bonuses for early completion.

“The bonus is really just the sense of accomplishment in making it happen. … But really what this six weeks early means is that it gives us the opportunity to completely finalize every remaining item” before the first event, Wood said.

The Minneapolis Sports Facilities Authority will move in around July 1, Kelm-Helgen said. A public open house will be held July 23 and 24, and the first official event, a soccer game, is scheduled for Aug. 3. The Vikings’ first home preseason game is planned for Aug. 28.

“I think this is going to be a public building that people will appreciate,” Kelm-Helgen said. “I think we are setting a whole new standard here.”