The City of Minneapolis is on the hunt for a landscape-architecture team to design the Downtown East park recently dubbed the Commons and formerly known as the Yard.
Proposals are due Oct. 15.

The site slated for the park is a two-block, 4.2-acrea area bordered by Park Avenue, 4th and 5th streets and a mid-rise residential building planned for 5th Avenue South. The park will be adjacent to the new Vikings stadium and Ryan Cos.’ Wells Fargo officer towers and residential development.

“This is an exciting opportunity for a landscape architect-led design team to shape a part of our city by creating an engaging, innovative, year-round public space,” said Tom Fisher, co-chair of the Park Committee and dean of the University of Minnesota Design School, in a prepared statement. “The Commons will not only serve as the front yard before every Vikings’ home game and major event hosted at the new multipurpose stadium, but will be that world-class destination that draws more residents, visitors and investment to downtown.”

In mid-August, the Park Committee approved a vision for the park that will guide the design team selected by the city. It envisions the space as both an event space for stadium festivities and community gatherings and an “everyday” space that serves the needs of residents, visitors and workers.

“This should be a space where you can kick a soccer ball, sit quietly reading, and fall in love all on the same day,” said City Council Member Jacob Frey (Ward 3) in a statement. “We are aiming for a design that reimagines downtown green space, and functions as a node of connection for every person in our city.”