The City Council recently approved plazas, trails and a land bridge for the expansive 200-acre development in Eagan where the Minnesota Vikings will relocate their team headquarters and practice facility next spring.

The amenity plan, which required approval by the council to garner additional building permits, calls for trails and wetland preserves along the site. Two lakes on the property also leave open the possibility of future kayak and canoe rentals.

The Vikings announced the marketing launch in June, unveiling plans to build a 6,500-seat stadium, outdoor and indoor practice fields and administrative offices on the site just south of Interstate 494. Twin Cities Orthopedics is building a medical office building next to a sports medicine center for athletic training and rehabilitation and Vikings museum and store. The fields will be used by the Vikings and area high school football teams.

Office headquarters and training facilities will occupy 40 acres of the sprawling property — formerly used as the Northwest Airlines headquarters — purchased by Viking owners Zygi, Mark and Leonard Wilf.

The Wilfs expect the space to evolve into 3.25 million square feet of offices, retail, residential and hospitality complexes around team facilities over the next 15 years. "Now is the perfect time to bring your team and build your dream," reads one of the marketing brochures.

Viking owners also envision nearly 1,000 units of multifamily housing, 1 million square feet of upscale office and medical office space, a conference center and hotel with more than 500 rooms. There also are discussions to create an incubator for small businesses in science, technology and arts.

Next March, following the Super Bowl at U.S. Bank Stadium, the football team intends to make its move. The Vikings will depart Winter Park, their home in Eden Prairie since 1981. Currently, the 190 Vikings employees (not including the players) are spread across office space in several buildings and cities.

LIZ SAWYER

Farmington

One dies in workplace accident

A 36-year-old Northfield man died last week while operating machinery at Valmont Industries, authorities said.

Enrique Rosas Murga died of multiple blunt force injuries sustained in a workplace accident around 2:30 a.m. on July 27, according to an autopsy report from the Hennepin County medical examiner's office.

Valmont, an Omaha-based manufacturer, produces aluminum poles and arms used in lighting and traffic structures, communication towers and irrigation equipment.

The Farmington Police Department and Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the accident.

Liz Sawyer

Shakopee

Energy Park holds grand opening

Shakopee Energy Park, a new natural gas-powered plant located near Canterbury Park, opened its doors to the community last week for public tours.

The 46-megawatt facility, owned and operated by the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA), uses fuel-efficient engines to generate local, reliable power for the city. The plant also contributes to the overall power supply for member communities like Chaska and Anoka. A solar installation is in development near Buffalo, Minn.

Shakopee Mayor Bill Mars has said the facility will provide a long-term and competitive electrical supply, distributed by the city's public utilities.

MMPA's management partner, Avant Energy of Minneapolis, managed the plant's design and construction and provides operations management for the building, which achieved commercial status this spring. The facility uses silencers on each of the five engines and sound-absorbing materials to block noise from reaching neighbors.

"Shakopee Energy Park is good for every MMPA community because it provides power supply flexibility and protects our members against price volatility in the marketplace," said Derick Dahlen, Avant Energy CEO.

LIZ SAWYER

Burnsville

Nominations open for Builder Awards

The city is again seeking nominations for its Community Builder Awards, which are presented to good Samaritans and community groups each year who make Burnsville a better place.

Submissions are accepted for individuals, organizations and businesses that — through volunteer work or employment — "do their best to build a brighter future," officials said. Judges favor community-building activities such as improving the environment, working with youth and developing projects that result in community pride.

Burnsville residency is not required. The deadline for nominations is 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1. Winners will be announced Oct. 17 during the Burnsville City Council meeting.

For information contact the City Clerk's Office, 952-895-4490, or macheal.collins@burnsvillemn.gov.

LIZ SAWYER

Savage

City to hold free shredding event

Residents are invited to securely destroy confidential documents during Savage's free shredding event at City Hall on Aug. 12.

The grant-supported event, held from 9 a.m. to noon, is meant to promote recycling. Residents are permitted to shred the equivalent of up to two file boxes of personal documents, including bank statements, pay stubs, tax reports, invoices and receipts. Officials say doing so limits the likelihood of identity theft.

Staples, paper clips, and rubber bands do not have to be removed. Unacceptable items include cardboard, tapes/CDs/DVDs, 3-ring binders, large binder clips and medical waste.

For information called Assistant City Administrator Brad Larson at 952-882-2641, or e-mail him blarson@ci.savage.mn.us.

LIZ SAWYER