With finish line near, focus turns to U.S. Bank Stadium's interior

With 95 percent of the U.S. Bank Stadium completed, the focus at Friday's oversight meeting was on the finer design points: concessions signs, personnel matters and the need to hire 24/7 staff for the building.

Mortenson Construction executive Eric Grenz said the company expects to be able to have the stadium move-in ready in early June and to formally hand over the metaphorical keys in early July. Only $40 million in work remains, he told the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA), which oversees the construction on behalf of the state.

At $1.1 billion, the stadium, built as the new home for the Vikings, is the largest public-private project in state history. The building is nearly double the size of the Metrodome that was razed to make way for the jagged glass and steel structure.

Topics at the one-hour meeting included signs, a new Vikings tent, moisture, a team Hall of Fame and the upcoming job fair.

As always, a handful of environmentalists attended, hoping for word of the development of a bird-friendly protective film for the glass exterior. Michele Kelm-Helgen, MSFA chairwoman, gave no update on the issue, although she has repeatedly said something will be revealed in coming months.

In a moment of levity, MSFA member John Griffith wanted to know whether the concessions signs would be "classy."

Ted Mondale, MSFA executive director, said the signs would be reviewed before they went up so as to avoid the "flea market" appearance of the domed stadium in Indianapolis. Even as Kelm-Helgen elbowed him, Mondale continued, "I mean, they have tractors and oil cans hanging from the ceiling."

Mondale also revealed that the Vikings would acquire a tent for the plaza on the west side of the stadium. The idea is to have an area akin to the tents that used to be on the western side of the Metrodome. The tent, which will come down after the NFL season, will be free to fans on game days and available to the MSFA for non-Vikings events.

Again, Griffith said he wanted to "encourage the Vikings to come up with something special … so that it doesn't look like a circus tent."

Mondale responded, "I have every assurance that you will not see the same tents that were at the Dome."

The team also intends to reveal plans soon about its 10,000-square-foot Vikings Voyage Hall of Fame that will cost $1.2 million.

Griffith also asked Grenz about the repairs to the leaky moisture barrier on the building's gutters. Mortenson is paying the $4 million replacement cost after workers noticed dampness on a parapet wall and water pooling in the gutter. The water had not seeped inside, but is a sensitive issue because of tenacious Minnesota winters and the collapse of the roof on the building's predecessor.

Grenz said Mortenson has confidence in the new moisture barrier and has been conducting tests during installation.

As construction winds down, attention has been pivoting toward operational matters. Patrick Talty, general manager for SMG which operates the stadium, renewed a call for job applicants at the building. A job fair will be held April 26-28 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Talty emphasized that all the stadium's employers will be at the event, looking to hire and that anyone who shows up "won't walk away without meeting someone face-to-face."

Jobs range from hospitality to security, bar backs and bartenders, ticket takers and tour guides, housekeepers and retail sales.

"Who should apply? Everybody," Talty said.

All applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. Jobs are available for people who want part-time and full-time work. Applicants have been encouraged to apply at www.usbankstadium.com. "If you haven't applied, come anyway," Talty said.

For help, curious applicants can call 612-777-8727.

Rochelle Olson • 612-673-1747

Twitter: @rochelleolson