Minnesota Twins owner Carl Pohlad promised to invest $125 million for the project and Hennepin County is seeking state permission to increase the local sales tax for a ballpark. Under the terms of the plan, the Twins and the county would build the ballpark on the site near Interstate 394, the end of the Hiawatha Light Rail line and the proposed Northstar commuter rail.

"We've talked about ballpark solutions for a long time without making progress," says Mike Opat, Hennepin county commissioner. "We are confident our plan can get the job done."

Scheduled to open in 2009, the ballpark would be funded by a Hennepin County-wide sales tax increase of 15 cents on every $100, excluding groceries, clothing or medical costs, and the $125-million commitment from the Twins, entailing $40 million in cash upfront and an additional $85 million paid prior to completion of the new ballpark facility. In addition, the plan, which the team says requires no state funding, calls for the Twins to assume all operation and maintenance costs, as well as any cost overruns on the ballpark. The Twins must also commit to a 30-year, no-escape use agreement. Additionally, should the Twins be sold prior to 2016, the public will share in the proceeds of the sale.