More Than a Stage: How the Ames Center Connected Burnsville to the Region

The history of the Ames Center is deeply tied to Burnsville's vision for its downtown area, serving as a hub for both cultural enrichment and regional transit accessibility.

The Genesis of the Ames Center

Before the venue existed, the city of Burnsville lacked a formal downtown core. In the late 1990s, community leaders launched the Heart of the City initiative to turn an underutilized, commercial area into an active, walkable urban center. A premier cultural hub was central to this plan. Construction began in 2007, and the facility officially opened in January 2009 as the Burnsville Performing Arts Center. It cost roughly $20 million to build, funded by the city to drive local economic growth and support regional artists.

Becoming the Ames Center

In 2014, the city secured a landmark 20-year naming rights agreement with Ames Construction, a major local company founded in Burnsville. The facility was officially renamed the Ames Center, ensuring a strong public-private partnership to support the venue's long-term operations. Today, it stands as a cornerstone of daily life in Burnsville, balancing a busy community schedule with national touring acts.

Seamless Transit Connections via MVTA

A key element of the venue's integration into the Twin Cities metro is its accessibility. Visitors can easily travel to the Ames Center using the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA), which connects the suburban downtown directly to neighboring cities and major transit hubs. Attendees frequently utilize several key bus lines to reach the venue, which sits just a short, 0.4-mile walk south of the main station:

• Route 460X: Provides direct express service from Downtown Minneapolis to the Burnsville Transit Station.
• Route 444: Connects local riders from Mall of America and Eagan directly to the Heart of the City district.
• Route 426: Offers convenient local circulator service within Burnsville, dropping passengers off within blocks of the theater doors.
• METRO Orange Line: Offers fast, frequent bus rapid transit access straight into the transit station along the I-35W corridor.

A Vibrant Hub for Autumn Arts

The true success of the venue is seen in its diverse programming, drawing thousands of visitors who arrive by bus and car alike. For instance, the September 2026 schedule highlights the center's dynamic mix of visual arts and musical tributes:

• Through September 14, 2026: The Ames Center Art Gallery hosts its annual cultural perspectives exhibition, "Art Promotes Understanding," which is free and open to the public.
• Saturday, September 19, 2026 (7:30 PM): The Masquerade Dance Theater presents Takin' it to the Limit, an Eagles tribute show performed by the Fabulous Armadillos and Collective Unconscious.
• Saturday, September 26, 2026 (8:00 PM): The venue hosts I Am, He Said, a theatrical music production starring Matt Vee that celebrates the legendary career of Neil Diamond.