The Minnesota Ballpark Authority this afternoon by voice vote passed a resolution allowing the Minnesota Twins to commence on approximately $15 million in enhancements to Target Field.

The details, which include widening the concourse area in right field where the majority of fans enter the ballpark and renovating the Metropolitan Club, can be found here.

The authority also agreed to kick in $5 million toward the project.

Commissioners expressed support for the team’s plans to open up the Metropolitan Club to all ticket buyers. Access previously has been limited to season ticket holders. Chair Margaret Anderson Kelliher says the move is “responding to what people want in a baseball game, which is more gathering spots to watch a game or have a beverage.”

She and Commissioner David Ybarra indicated the change likely makes the new venue more marketable for non-game uses.

And Commissioner Paul D. Williams indicated that using the authority’s capital fund makes sense when it’s in the benefit of the public’s best interest.

“This is going to be a really well utilized space,” he says. “I think this is a good use of funds.”

Matt Hoy, who presented the Twins’ plans to the authority, also provided an overall operations update. He says the Twins plan to continue renovating and updating the ballpark over the next few years to make sure the building stays lively and current.

He indicated the team drew 2.05 million fans in a resurgent season that saw the team go from 59 wins to 85, an organization-record 26-game one season improvement.

“We would expect we will play better next year too,” he adds.

On a more serious note, Hoy noted that the Twins were working with local law enforcement officials, Major League Baseball and, in particular, the United States Department of Homeland Security to move toward becoming Federal Government Safety Act certified.

The Safety Act provides legal liability protections for providers of Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technologies – whether products or services. The goal, according to the DHS Website, “is encouraging the development and deployment of effective anti-terrorism products and services by providing liability protections.”