JobSight: Target Field, Minneapolis
Miller remembers that three quarriers submitted proposals.
“We were heavily involved, but certainly the owners weighed in, as well,” says Miller. “They had their opinion of what stone looked the best and we agreed that we liked the Vetter Stone, which has a richness to it.
“The Quarry Creek cut is unique, and we thought it would be very attractive for the building.”
The Twins’ Smith says he thinks the look is reminiscent of the stone cliffs along several of Minnesota’s rivers, including the Mississippi. However, Ron Vetter, Vetter Stone’s president, says the look most-closely emulates the naturally exposed stone along the banks of the Minnesota River.
Vetter adds that, despite everyone’s enthusiasm for the use of natural stone, getting the job was a complex process. Initially, the company submitted samples; later, it set up a large mock-up panel.
“A group of 25 people came to look at the mock-up panel and fabrication facility to determine if we had the aesthetic look and feel the designers and owners were looking for, and to determine if we had the facilities to do an effective job,” Vetter says. “That was before the design was refined.
“From that mock-up panel they decided what percentages they wanted of the rough, natural-textured surface versus a honed material. They also further refined the color range.”
Mehls says the contractor ended up short-listing two firms to supply the stone. At that point, Mortenson officials toured the quarries and the production plants of both.
“I have personally worked with Vetter on a couple other, smaller projects, but Mortenson has worked with Vetter on several significant projects,” he says. “Vetter has an amazing production facility, with state-of-the-art technology for cutting and smoothing the stone. It’s pretty impressive.”
QUESTIONS…AND ANSWERS
While it took more than a decade to pick a site and get the funding arranged for the new Twins ballpark, things started falling into place fast as construction began.
Groundbreaking took place in early 2007; to have the project completed by the end of 2009, work had to be streamlined, with construction taking place through the Minnesota winter.