The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority is mulling whether to retrofit the glass at U.S. Bank Stadium in an effort to stop birds from flying into the building.
According to a new study from the Minnesota Audubon Society, approximately 111 birds die annually after flying into the glass at U.S. Bank Stadium.
“The numbers were lower than expected,” MSFA chair Mike Veckich told the local NBC affiliate after the Audubon Minnesota formally presented the study to the sports authority.
Related: U.S. Bank Stadium Collaborates With Audubon Bird Study
MSFA is already acting on two of the study’s proposed solutions, including turning off stadium lights at night and reducing surrounding vegetation. The study’s other recommendation is to add a frosted film to the existing glass that would cost millions of dollars and affect the stadiums aesthetics.
Vekich told NBC that MFSA will make a decision on the glass by next year.
MSFA spent $300,000 on the study, concluding that the Vikings stadium ranked third among the deadliest buildings for birds in Minneapolis.
Robert Schultz, executive director of Minnesota Audubon, struck a conciliatory tone.
“We’re very thankful that we’re not having the issue some of us assumed it might be,” said Robert Schultz, executive director of Minnesota Audubon, “yet as we look at the number of birds that are hitting the building there’s room for improvement there.”
