History

For more than a century, Downtown Minneapolis has been the commercial and cultural epicenter of our region. The Minneapolis Downtown Council has advocated over the past 60 years for continued growth and development, and working in 10-15 year plan increments has helped generate results. As we continue working toward completing The 2025 Plan, here are major accomplishments that have taken place in alignment with these work plans over the past six decades.

  • 1961

    MLB & NFL arrive in the Twin Cities

  • 1962

    Skyways begin to be built in Downtown Minneapolis; MSP Airport (Lindbergh Terminal)

  • 1963

    Guthrie Theater

  • 1967

    Metropolitan Council

  • 1968

    Nicollet Mall

  • 1971

    Walker Art Center (Barnes Building)

  • 1974

    Orchestra Hall; Minneapolis Institute of Art

  • 1982

    Metrodome opens, Vikings and Twins move downtown

  • 1990

    Target Center opens

  • 1991

    State Theatre; Minneapolis Convention Center

  • 1993

    Orpheum Theatre

  • 2002

    Minneapolis Convention Center expansion; Pantages Theatre; Mill City Museum

  • 2004

    Hiawatha Light Rail

  • 2005

    Walker Art Center expansion

  • 2006

    Guthrie Theater built in Mill District; MIA (Graves addition); Minneapolis Central Library

  • 2009

    Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District; Northstar Commuter Rail

  • 2010

    Target Field opens

  • 2011

    Cowles Center for Dance

  • 2013

    Orchestra Hall Renovation

  • 2014

    Green Light Rail Line Opens; Target Field Station

  • 2016

    The Commons; U.S. Bank Stadium opens; Target Center Renovation; Minneapolis Big Build