MINNEAPOLIS (Jan. 12, 2016) – Today, Green Minneapolis, the conservancy group charged with fundraising for the Downtown East Commons,  announced it has raised $10.5 million toward the project's completion.

This includes an additional $2 million from the Minnesota Vikings and new corporate funds from several Minnesota companies. Target Corporation, Carlson and the Carlson Family Foundation, Land O'Lakes, Thrivent Financial, Veit USA and Xcel Energy all made contributions.

The Vikings' current contribution is in addition to their prior contribution of $1 million for a total Vikings contribution of $3 million to the Commons.

"Hitting this significant fundraising milestone demonstrates the excitement surrounding Downtown East Commons," said Betsy Hodges, Minneapolis Mayor and Downtown East Commons Fundraising Committee co-chair. "The generosity shown by all of our corporate partners today is indicative of the city's desire to take advantage of this once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform a city block into a world-class green space. This support makes me feel even more confident that we will hit our fundraising goals."

"Minnesota has a unique history of corporate participation in the community, and that is strongly reinforced today," added Pat Ryan, CEO of Ryan Companies and Co-Chair of the Downtown East Commons Fundraising Committee. "We thank the companies that made generous contributions and look forward to working with the rest of the corporate community as we seek to reach our fundraising goal of $22 million."

Vikings owner/president Mark Wilf will join the Downtown East Commons Fundraising Committee as co-chair to bolster efforts in the final fundraising push.

"The Downtown East Commons will not only be an integral part of the Vikings game day experience but a place the community will enjoy throughout the year," said Wilf. "We are proud to provide ongoing support to this endeavor, and I am personally looking forward to working with the fundraising committee to bring this project to fruition."

The Commons, a key component of the Ryan Companies development concept now under construction in Downtown East, comprises a two-block, 4.2-acre green space adjacent to new office and residential buildings, light rail and the Vikings' new U.S. Bank Stadium. The space will serve as a workplace respite, neighborhood park and entertainment venue in the rapidly developing Downtown East area.

With $10.5 million secured, Green Minneapolis is nearly halfway to its $22 million fundraising goal.

"We continue to make significant progress toward transforming Downtown East's epicenter, and today's milestone reflects that," said City Council Member Jacob Frey. "We still have work to do, but with the help of our generous business community, we are confident we will get there."

About Downtown East Commons

The Downtown East Commons is a two-block, 4.2-acre green space bounded by Park Avenue, 4th and 5th Streets and a proposed building on 5th Avenue South. The idea for a public green space was unveiled in May 2013 as a part of Ryan Companies' $400 million mixed-use development project now under construction in Downtown East.

Designed by San Francisco-based Hargreaves Associates, the Commons will serve as a retreat for Minneapolis residents and daytime workers as well as a destination for the city's biggest events, including once-in-a-decade experiences such as Super Bowl LII in 2018 and civic celebrations. Hargreaves works on landscape architecture and planning projects nationally and internationally that embody a commitment to civic vitality and creative urban solutions.

For more information and renderings of the Downtown East Commons, please visit http://www.downtowneastcommonsmpls.com.