The Metrodome

Homage and a modest proposal for a Central Corridor icon

Pausing to consider the Metrodome

It was getting towards the end of the ride, and a chilly Minnesotan twilight was setting in. We were way behind schedule. After hours of riding and sightseeing, even Andy Sturdevant had to leave to meet another commitment, and we had yet to reach the Metrodome. Andy had once made a commemorative illustrated history of the dome that he had drawn by hand, and passed copies out to the group. “I adore the Metrodome,” he said.

While Red76’s Sam Gould was originally to have spoken at one of our stops, he was unable to make the ride so Andy, having stepped up with the true can-do zeal, offered to channel Sam and make his statement on his behalf. There was a sheet of paper with the text to be spoken. But with Andy pedaling reluctantly to his next engagement, the paper was handed to Rebar’s John Bela, who represented by proxy twice removed. Someday, Rebar, Andy, and Red76 will join up over a cafe table and relive the disembodied moment they shared in the evening hours of October 16th, 2011. Most of it was captured on video. A small excerpt here:

Consider these slight fractures in the in the pavement, these disparities in the shared space of common assumption that makes up our civic perception of space: that is, the space between us. Where else could we be? …

In the vacant dome we will train new Vikings! Giving them swords, axes, sticks with those iron spiky balls on the end, whatever they’re called!”

What wasn’t captured was the sound of thousands of Viking feet, thundering across the new plain of what was once called Minneapolis.

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Development in the Downtown East neighborhood around Metrodome took many years to materialize. For many years there were few bars or restaurants nearby for fans to gather at; tailgating was expressly forbidden in most parking areas. The City of Minneapolis was directing the development of the entertainment districts along Seven corners in Cedar-Riverside, Hennepin Avenue, and the Warehouse district. Metrodome existed among a number of parking areas built upon old rail yards, along with run-down factories and warehouses. Metrodome is not connected to the Minneapolis Skyway System, although that was planned in 1989 to be completed in time to host Super Bowl XXVI. Only in recent years has redevelopment begun moving Southeast to reach Metrodome. More restaurants, hotels, and condominiums have been built nearby. The Hiawatha light rail line has connected the Minneapolis entertainment district with Metrodome. —Wikipedia

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Hosted by Andy Sturdevant and Sam Gould (Red76)
Time Sunday 1pm – 3pm
Website(s) http://www.andysturdevant.com/
http://www.springboardforthearts.org/
http://www.red76.com/

Andy Sturdevant

Andy Sturdevant is an artist, writer and arts administrator that lives in Minneapolis and works in St. Paul. He has written about art, history and culture for a variety of Twin Cities-based publications and websites. His collaborative and individual art-making practice is generally site-based, interactive, and dealing with relationships between place, history and personal experience.

Sam Gould

Sam couldn’t make it for the ride, but he was there in voice, and perhaps even spirit. He leads Red76.