More serious proposals suggested an Italian-style clock tower, an observatory, and a lighthouse.
Entries to the "Whazit Design Competition" came from 26 states and 17 foreign countries.
The structures are more than 70 years old and have been vacant since the late 1980s.
Other ideas include an aquarium, a greenhouse, a viewing platform, an art museum, a public market, a hotel, a restaurant, condominiums, an open-air theater, an artists' exchange, an interpretive center, a library, a center for extreme sports, a water taxi station, a vertical labyrinth and a brewery.
The designs went on display this week at the Norwest Center building at Fifth and Cedar streets.
A jury chaired by Tom Fisher, dean of the University of Minnesota college of architecture and landscape architecture, will review the entries and announce four honor award winners Monday afternoon. Each of the winners will receive $5,000.
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