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Draft study: Garbage burner won't harm fans at new Twins stadium

BY EMILY GURNON
Pioneer Press

Fumes from a nearby garbage burner won't overwhelm fans and players at the new Minnesota Twins stadium in downtown Minneapolis, a draft study released today concludes.

The draft environmental impact statement reinforces previous studies that have determined the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) would have little impact on the stadium.

"The analysis establishes that the Ballpark will not adversely dispersion of pollutants from HERC stacks and that Ballpark users will not be exposed to any health risks associated with HERC emissions," the report states.

The 176-page written document, which is available for public review and comment, addresses traffic, parking, lighting, site contamination, noise and air quality issues.

The 42,000-seat open-air ballpark is slated for construction northwest of the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis. The stadium is scheduled to open in 2010. Parts of the ballpark will reach 200 feet high and will be within 1,000 feet of the garbage burner.

Copies of the environmental statement are available at the Minneapolis Central Public Library, Minneapolis City Hall or online at www.hennepin.us. Look on the right of the web page for "On Deck: A New Twins Ballpark" and click "view latest updates."

Written comments may be sent to ballpark@co.hennepin.mn.us, or by calling 612-543-7280. The deadline for comments is March 6.

The Hennepin County board of commissioners will hold a public hearing on the report at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 20 in the boardroom, located on the 24th floor of the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 S. Sixth St., Minneapolis.