Minneapolis Farmers Market Soccer Stadium?

Here is some exciting news for Minnesota soccer fans. The 2020 Partners are encouraging Minnesota United FC to consider building a soccer stadium near Target Field in Minneapolis. The question is, who are the 2020 Partners? According to their website…

2020 Partners is a forum to facilitate the continuing transformation of a vital and unique place. Its goal is to lay the foundation and attract investment for future development by knitting together communities and leveraging the assets of Target Field, Minneapolis Farmer’s Market, transit and energy.

They have released a statement in support of United’s search for a long term home.

Statement In Support of a Soccer Stadium at Farmers Market Site 9/24/13 The 2020 Partners organization encourages Minnesota United FC to explore the Farmers Market site for a soccer stadium as the potential anchor for development of a multi-use complex, retaining as a key element the Farmers Market with improved facilities, and maximizing the development opportunity from the existing and planned transit improvements. Respectfully, 2020 Partners Steering Committee and Members This statement was unanimously affirmed by the membership

The idea of a soccer stadium near the farmers market isn’t a new idea. In a earlier presentation the 2020 Partners used BBVA stadium in Houston (where the Houston Dynamo play) as a model of a potential soccer stadium for United’s predecessor, the Minnesota Stars.

Even more impressive are the members on the Steering Committee which unanimously made the recommendation:

Chuck Leer, Chair – North First Ventures

David Frank – North Loop Neighborhood Association

Barbara Johnson, President – Minneapolis City Council

Ted Johnson, Senior VP Marketing & Communications – Minnesota Timberwolves | Lynx

Joanne Kaufman, Executive Director – Warehouse District Business Association

Dan Kenney, Executive Director – Minnesota Ballpark Authority

Brian Lamb, General Manager – Metro Transit

Peter McLaughlin – Hennepin County Commissioner

Bob Pfefferle, Director – Hines

Irene Quarshie, Government Affairs – Target

Dave St. Peter, President – Minnesota Twins Baseball Club

John Saunders, Vice President – United Properties

You can see the entire presentation in PDF format here: http://the2020partners.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Farmers-Market-Site-2.0-sans-video.pdf