Two important reports released detailing Major League Soccer stadium near Domain
It's a big day for the future of Major League Soccer in Austin. The latest developments in Columbus Crew owner Anthony Precourt's effort to move his team here from Ohio: two reports.
One from the city and one from Precourt, about putting a stadium in the Domain area.
The bottom line is the report says the 24-acre piece of city-owned land is suitable for a stadium. It's also suitable for a mixed-use development that includes affordable housing.
McLalla place is on Braker and Burnet.
It was a fiberglass and boat chemical company between 1956 and 1985.
This afternoon, Precourt Sports Ventures also submitted their 150-something-page detailed proposal to the Austin City Council. Josh Babetski is President of the MLS in Austin supporters group.
They've been trying to get a team here for years.
He says it's all looking good. "We're very excited about the reports. The city's report seems very favorable towards using the 24-plus acres at McKalla Place for building a soccer stadium. It seems like some infrastructure is needed but nothing that was unexpected or insurmountable. And then just briefly after that, Precourt Sports Ventures released their proposal to the city of what they would do with that land and the community benefit. Still we're probably going to be pouring over the proposals for days to come but at first blush it looks like over 20 years, almost half a billion dollars in quantity community benefit to the City of Austin," Babetski said.
The city's report also looked into the economic impact of the stadium and team. They say within Travis County as a whole, the construction period will support $88.4 million in economic activity, $77.4 million in wages and about 1500 jobs. And on a recurring basis, $31.6 million in economic activity, $30.7 million in wages and about 500 full time jobs.
So the big question is whether council will want the stadium to go there or mixed-use with affordable housing. The city's report seems to indicate traffic would be lighter if it were a stadium.
The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce issued this statement:
"From the start, we have been pleased to be a leading advocate for the first major league sports franchise in Austin. We thank Precourt Sports Ventures (PSV) for its commitment to bring world-class, professional soccer to our community," said Phil Wilson, Chairman of the Board, Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. "We have followed PSV’s creation of a strong local team to execute a great new venue in the core of the city. We laud their commitment to partnering with Austin on affordability. With PSV’s commitment of more than $354M in community benefits, including specific donations to Foundation Communities, we hope Austin City Council will act this month to close this game-changing partnership."