Neighbors irked by Vikings' bright lights
Bernie Friel sees the brightly lit “Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center / Home of the Minnesota Vikings” sign and the Norseman logo, prominently displayed on the team’s new fieldhouse in Eagan, each night from his Mendota Heights home. He doesn’t like the view.
“I’ve been irritated by the sign for some time,” said Friel, who lives about a quarter-mile from the practice facility. “It’s light pollution.”
He’s not the only one. Several residents who live near the complex are irked by the glowing white signage, which they say changes the peaceful nature of their neighborhood.
Vikings’ staffers moved in early March into the 277,000-square-foot, custom-built complex, twice the size of the team’s former home in Eden Prairie. The lights adorn the north side of the facility, alongside Interstate 494.
The neighbors raising questions live across the freeway in a residential area amid winding roads, ponds and a middle school.
“The thing is, it’s just so illuminating, 24/7,” said Steve Gaertner, who lives less than a mile away. “I guess my question is, do they have to light it up all night? Do the Vikings really need that type of advertising at 11, 12, 1 o’clock in the morning?”
http://www.startribune.com/neighbors-irked-by-vikings-bright-lights/478978623/#1
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
What a bunch whiny as holes bet the day they sell there property they won't birch that it is worth more now than without the Vikings devil ping the area close to them .my guess they will brag how smart they were to buy there and make so much more in there investment
Doesn’t hurt to be a good neighbor. Maybe the Vikes can dim the lights at night.
@"dadevike" said: Doesn’t hurt to be a good neighbor. Maybe the Vikes can dim the lights at night.The lights are not dimmable...
no need for those lights to be on after 10:00...
I'd be a disgruntled neighbor too if I had to look at that every night...
They live across an eight lane highway and on the flight path for MSP. Its not like it used to be Waldon Pond before the Vikings came to town. This is I494 after all.
And for those that say to turn them off at night, what’s the point of having illuminated signs? What if a car dealership moved in? Or a mall?
This is a bunch of whiners looking for a handout, or more likely a buyout.
@"purplefaithful" said: no need for those lights to be on after 10:00...I'd be a disgruntled neighbor too if I had to look at that every night...
Agree.
It's funny how quickly people call names or just dismiss the concerns of others when these situations arise. Let me say first hand it sucks ass to have something shoved down your throat with no say about it when it comes to your home. Within 2 years I will have about 7 or 8 550' tall wind towers thumping away 24 7 365 in less than a mile from my home, and when I expressed concerns I was basically called a whiner and a bunch of other shit....of course of those calling names most wouldn't have to live near the monstrosities.
I have my doubts that those people's property values will rise due to more development in a metro/suburb situation. If anything wouldn't people willing to pay more for homes want to themselves get away from noise and lights? I sure as hell would.
@"JimmyinSD" said: It's funny how quickly people call names or just dismiss the concerns of others when these situations arise. Let me say first hand it sucks ass to have something shoved down your throat with no say about it when it comes to your home. Within 2 years I will have about 7 or 8 550' tall wind towers thumping away 24 7 365 and when I expressed concerns I was basically called a whiner and a bunch of other shit....of course of those calling names most wouldn't have to live next to the monstrosities.I have my doubts that those people's property values will rise due to more development in a metro/suburb situation. If anything wouldn't people willing to pay more for homes want to themselves get away from noise and lights? I sure as hell would.
I guess I’d call them naive then. They live on the edge of an eight lane interstate highway. Development is always a real possibility whether it be the Vikings, a mall an auto dealership, or all of the above, whatever. That’s what happens.
@"Kentis" said:They could be. They would likely need to change out the drivers to dimmable ones.@"dadevike" said: Doesn’t hurt to be a good neighbor. Maybe the Vikes can dim the lights at night. The lights are not dimmable...
I would think they could have the bright ones on from dawn to a predetermined time after dusk then have a low level/purple light once it's actually dark. That would look better and probably alleviate the concern for the most part.
@"Purplewhizz" said:@"JimmyinSD" said: It's funny how quickly people call names or just dismiss the concerns of others when these situations arise. Let me say first hand it sucks ass to have something shoved down your throat with no say about it when it comes to your home. Within 2 years I will have about 7 or 8 550' tall wind towers thumping away 24 7 365 and when I expressed concerns I was basically called a whiner and a bunch of other shit....of course of those calling names most wouldn't have to live next to the monstrosities.I have my doubts that those people's property values will rise due to more development in a metro/suburb situation. If anything wouldn't people willing to pay more for homes want to themselves get away from noise and lights? I sure as hell would.
I guess I’d call them naive then. They live on the edge of an eight lane interstate highway. Development is always a real possibility whether it be the Vikings, a mall an auto dealership, or all of the above, whatever. That’s what happens.
nobody likely could have forseen the LED explosion 15 years ago that we are seeing. its getting obnoxious to drive through an urban area at night anymore. the brightness is beyond annoying with the people going to leds on their cars and trucks its bordering on dangerous.
I live near a highway. You learn to live with people doing business. I can understand being annoyed but that is what happens when you live by a highway. I used to live in a trailer almost directly under the main artery in my city. You either adjust to the noise/sounds/lights or you sell and move. Sucks, I feel for them, but it is what it is.
They need to turn it off at 10:00 at least.
It is a cool looking sign in other settings but in this setting it is obnoxious.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"purplefaithful" said: no need for those lights to be on after 10:00...I'd be a disgruntled neighbor too if I had to look at that every night...
Agree.
reasonable to turn of at 10pm - IMOAlso, if want to keep on after 10, make them dim - able. Problem solved rather cheaply.
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