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09-11-2007, 06:37 AM
Collinsville City Council Authorizes Pre-Annexation for MLS Soccer Stadium, Development
http://www.stlouissoccerunited.com/content/view/39/81/
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Approval of St. Louis Soccer United Proposal Critical Step in Landing Major League Soccer Expansion Team in 2009
COLLINSVILLE, Ill., Sept. 10, 2007 – The Collinsville City Council tonight approved a pre‑annexation agreement submitted by St. Louis Soccer United that will serve as the catalyst to help fund an 18,500-seat soccer stadium and mixed-use development designed to attract a Major League Soccer expansion franchise for the St. Louis area.
The City Council, which is comprised of Mayor Stan Schaeffer and four council members, approved the measure tonight by a 4-1 vote.
The proposal was formally presented to the City Council on Aug. 13 by Jeff Cooper, chairman of St. Louis Soccer United, following nearly two years of his group working with city officials on the plan. On Aug. 31, Cooper and Collinsville City Manager Bob Knabel released financial details related to the project so the public – and citizens of Collinsville, in particular – would have ample time to review the proposal prior to this evening’s vote.
“Tonight the City of Collinsville delivered two clear messages, in my opinion,” Cooper said. “One, Collinsville believes in the positive economic and emotional impact a Major League Soccer franchise and world-class surrounding development can have on a community and its citizens. We thank Collinsville for the trust in our partnership and for sharing our vision.
“Collinsville is also sending a strong message to Major League Soccer on behalf of the entire St. Louis metropolitan area – St. Louis is the best soccer community in the nation and we’re ready for Major League Soccer in 2009. Our commitment is absolute, and I am looking forward to expressing those thoughts when we reconnect with MLS Commissioner Don Garber and his executive team in the days ahead to discuss next steps.”
Major League Soccer currently has 13 teams, with San Jose slated to join the league in 2008.
“Major League Soccer is pleased with the positive vote from the Collinsville City Council to build a soccer-specific stadium and mixed-use development in the city,” said MLS President Mark Abbott. “Collinsville joins a long line of communities that have partnered with MLS clubs to build world-class stadiums and soccer complexes.
“The metropolitan St. Louis area is one of the most passionate and storied soccer markets in the United States. Tonight’s vote is a very positive step and we look forward to continuing our discussions to bring a Major League Soccer club to the area.”
The pre-annexation agreement that was approved this evening is essentially an agreement between the city and St. Louis Soccer United to initiate negotiations for annexation of portions of the site not currently within the Collinsville city limits, to rezone the property as a Planned Unit Development, begin the Tax Increment Financing process, initiating an on-site tax package to service construction bonds, and the extension of an enterprise zone to the area.
St. Louis Soccer United is proposing the development of a multi-pronged project that includes:
Securing an expansion franchise in Major League Soccer.
A state-of-the-art soccer complex with an 18,500-seat stadium.
Eight fully lit FIFA-approved synthetic turf fields and a professional grass training pitch.
Approximately 400 acres of mixed-use, new urbanism development including retail, office, and residential uses.
The overall development is targeted for suburban Collinsville on 400 acres nestled within the intersection of Interstates 55-70 (east-west) and Interstate 255 (north-south), just 10 minutes from the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. The location and highways offer excellent access to the site from all directions as well as local access off of Horseshoe Lake Road. Additionally, one of the possible alignments for future light rail expansion borders the site on the north end.
As the future home to St. Louis professional soccer, the proposed development would feature:
Approximately 300,000 square feet of retail opportunities
More than 200,000 square feet of office space
Two 120-room hotels
Approximately 1,600 residential units
Excellent highway access to the major north-south and east-west interstates (55/70) in addition to the outer-belt (270)
Internal bike/walking path linked to more than 85 miles of scenic Madison County Transit Trails
Approximately one-third of the development is soccer fields and green space
Renderings of the stadium and surrounding development are available for public viewing on St. Louis Soccer United’s website, stlouissoccerunited.com. The site also includes sections on news, history and news media coverage, as well as testimonials in support of the St. Louis area’s bid for an MLS expansion team from current MLS stars, news media, soccer legends and many more
http://www.stlouissoccerunited.com/content/view/39/81/
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/4721/untitled2jn6.gif
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/9048/untitled7xj3.gif
Approval of St. Louis Soccer United Proposal Critical Step in Landing Major League Soccer Expansion Team in 2009
COLLINSVILLE, Ill., Sept. 10, 2007 – The Collinsville City Council tonight approved a pre‑annexation agreement submitted by St. Louis Soccer United that will serve as the catalyst to help fund an 18,500-seat soccer stadium and mixed-use development designed to attract a Major League Soccer expansion franchise for the St. Louis area.
The City Council, which is comprised of Mayor Stan Schaeffer and four council members, approved the measure tonight by a 4-1 vote.
The proposal was formally presented to the City Council on Aug. 13 by Jeff Cooper, chairman of St. Louis Soccer United, following nearly two years of his group working with city officials on the plan. On Aug. 31, Cooper and Collinsville City Manager Bob Knabel released financial details related to the project so the public – and citizens of Collinsville, in particular – would have ample time to review the proposal prior to this evening’s vote.
“Tonight the City of Collinsville delivered two clear messages, in my opinion,” Cooper said. “One, Collinsville believes in the positive economic and emotional impact a Major League Soccer franchise and world-class surrounding development can have on a community and its citizens. We thank Collinsville for the trust in our partnership and for sharing our vision.
“Collinsville is also sending a strong message to Major League Soccer on behalf of the entire St. Louis metropolitan area – St. Louis is the best soccer community in the nation and we’re ready for Major League Soccer in 2009. Our commitment is absolute, and I am looking forward to expressing those thoughts when we reconnect with MLS Commissioner Don Garber and his executive team in the days ahead to discuss next steps.”
Major League Soccer currently has 13 teams, with San Jose slated to join the league in 2008.
“Major League Soccer is pleased with the positive vote from the Collinsville City Council to build a soccer-specific stadium and mixed-use development in the city,” said MLS President Mark Abbott. “Collinsville joins a long line of communities that have partnered with MLS clubs to build world-class stadiums and soccer complexes.
“The metropolitan St. Louis area is one of the most passionate and storied soccer markets in the United States. Tonight’s vote is a very positive step and we look forward to continuing our discussions to bring a Major League Soccer club to the area.”
The pre-annexation agreement that was approved this evening is essentially an agreement between the city and St. Louis Soccer United to initiate negotiations for annexation of portions of the site not currently within the Collinsville city limits, to rezone the property as a Planned Unit Development, begin the Tax Increment Financing process, initiating an on-site tax package to service construction bonds, and the extension of an enterprise zone to the area.
St. Louis Soccer United is proposing the development of a multi-pronged project that includes:
Securing an expansion franchise in Major League Soccer.
A state-of-the-art soccer complex with an 18,500-seat stadium.
Eight fully lit FIFA-approved synthetic turf fields and a professional grass training pitch.
Approximately 400 acres of mixed-use, new urbanism development including retail, office, and residential uses.
The overall development is targeted for suburban Collinsville on 400 acres nestled within the intersection of Interstates 55-70 (east-west) and Interstate 255 (north-south), just 10 minutes from the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. The location and highways offer excellent access to the site from all directions as well as local access off of Horseshoe Lake Road. Additionally, one of the possible alignments for future light rail expansion borders the site on the north end.
As the future home to St. Louis professional soccer, the proposed development would feature:
Approximately 300,000 square feet of retail opportunities
More than 200,000 square feet of office space
Two 120-room hotels
Approximately 1,600 residential units
Excellent highway access to the major north-south and east-west interstates (55/70) in addition to the outer-belt (270)
Internal bike/walking path linked to more than 85 miles of scenic Madison County Transit Trails
Approximately one-third of the development is soccer fields and green space
Renderings of the stadium and surrounding development are available for public viewing on St. Louis Soccer United’s website, stlouissoccerunited.com. The site also includes sections on news, history and news media coverage, as well as testimonials in support of the St. Louis area’s bid for an MLS expansion team from current MLS stars, news media, soccer legends and many more
