Written by Nik Ferraro for Pioneer Press. View full article
The rapid growth of Viking Lakes is fueling discussions about transit needs to the Eagan mixed-use development.
Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, the south metro’s public transportation provider, is reviewing service needs in the area and mapping out potential transit concepts to Viking Lakes that could be implemented as soon as later this year.
Since closing the deal to buy the former Northwest Airlines/Delta Air Lines headquarters property in early 2016, the owners of the Minnesota Vikings have been making good on a mixed-use vision for the 200-acre land, located just south of Interstate 494 and east of Dodd Road.
“As growth continues, we believe transit will be an important piece out there,” said Richard Crawford, MVTA spokesman.
One bus route — 436 — stops near Viking Lakes, but does not directly serve the campus. Extending that line is being discussed, although costs and feedback from the public and business community need to be explored, Crawford said.
MVTA officials will show off concepts and gather feedback from the public and business community at a town hall meeting — hosted in partnership with Viking Lakes and the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce — from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at Training Haus sports center, 2645 Vikings Circle #200.
The development’s anchor, Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center, is the team’s headquarters and indoor and outdoor practice facility that opened in March 2018. The team hosts its summer training camp there, as well as high school football games and other events.
A TCO medical office building and a STEM building have also been added, and a 14-story, 320-room hotel — to be operated by luxury chain Omni Hotels and Resorts — is slated to open in October.
Future plans for Viking Lakes include about 1,000 apartments, corporate office space and more retail and medical uses.
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