The Collinsville City Council approved a tax increment financing
(TIF) plan on Monday night, Jan. 28, to help fund a mixed-use
development project featuring a 18,500-seat soccer stadium designed to
attract a Major League Soccer expansion team to metropolitan
St. Louis.
The City Council, which is comprised of Mayor Stan Schaeffer and
four council members, approved the measure by a 4-1 vote. The
affirmative vote further solidifies Collinsville´s commitment to the
public-private partnership with St. Louis Soccer United and the mutual
goal to bring MLS soccer to the region and create a world-class
development on the approximately 400 acres at Interstates 270 and
55-70.
The approval of the TIF plan will undoubtedly be viewed as a
positive development by potential investors interested in partnering
with St. Louis Soccer United on the project, said Jeff Cooper,
chairman of St. Louis Soccer United (SLSU).
"With the passing of the TIF, the City of Collinsville has once
again delivered a clear message to Major League Soccer and investors
that we are determined to bring a team to St. Louis and are taking the
necessary steps to keep this project moving forward," said Cooper. "We
offer the ultimate scenario for someone wanting to invest in
professional soccer, and that is a ready-made, fully approved stadium
deal in the capital of soccer in the United States.
"The approval of the TIF on Monday night brings us a step closer
to making this development a reality and we remain confident that
Collinsville will be home to a Major League Soccer team in the near
future. We look forward to fully exploring next steps with the league
and potential investors in the days ahead."
An MLS team in St. Louis would play in a new soccer-specific
stadium in Collinsville, located just 10 minutes from downtown St.
Louis. The overall development would include:
-- A state-of-the-art soccer complex featuring an 18,500-seat
stadium with the St. Louis downtown skyline and Gateway Arch
in view to the west
-- Eight fully lit FIFA-approved synthetic turf fields and a
professional grass training pitch designed to host regional,
national and international youth soccer events
-- Approximately 400 acres of mixed-use, new urbanism development
including 300,000 square feet of retail opportunities, more
than 200,000 square feet of office space, two 120-room hotels,
approximately 1,200 residential units, and internal bike and
walking paths linked to more than 85 miles of scenic trails
Renderings of the stadium and surrounding development are
available for viewing on St. Louis Soccer United´s website,
www.stlouissoccerunited.com. The site also includes sections on news,
history and 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.
"I think the plan for the stadium is excellent and I just don´t
know how it couldn´t succeed in the St. Louis area," said Brad Davis,
midfielder for MLS´ Houston Dynamo.
The entire development, including the stadium, is funded through a
public/private partnership that was approved by the City of
Collinsville last September. Groundbreaking at the site will take
place once an MLS expansion franchise has been awarded to St. Louis.
"It´s because of the dedication of St. Louis Soccer United, and
its exhaustive and comprehensive planning, that Collinsville engaged
in a partnership to build the new stadium and surrounding
development," said Collinsville Mayor Stan Schaeffer. "This will be
the model MLS stadium in every respect, from design to funding to
location and much more. We´re looking forward to welcoming Major
League Soccer to the St. Louis market and, specifically, to
Collinsville."
Cooper´s vision for professional soccer in St. Louis was driven by
the desire to acquire an MLS team, but also includes a layering of
other soccer opportunities. In 2007, Cooper was awarded a franchise in
the new Women´s Soccer League, slated to also play in the new
Collinsville stadium. And the site will also aim to play host to a
variety of major soccer activities, such as international friendlies
and World Cup qualifiers, high school tournaments, the renewal of the
Bronze Boot match between Saint Louis University and Southern Illinois
University-Edwardsville, and many other blue chip soccer attractions.
The St. Louis metropolitan area has always been a region keenly
interested in soccer and ranks among the top major metropolitan areas
in the United States with respect to soccer participation.
Approximately 10.2 percent of St. Louis area residents participate in
soccer, compared to a national average of approximately 7.1 percent.
This participation rate places St. Louis as the fourth highest
metropolitan area in terms of soccer participation and would rank as
the highest participation rank among current MLS markets.
St. Louis is eager for Major League Soccer. Approximately 1,500
soccer fans have signed up for season tickets at SLSU´s website,
www.stlouissoccerunited.com, and a St. Louis team already has an
official fan club, the Gateway City Supporters Club. Interest in the
team extends beyond St. Louis as fans from across the United States
and five other continents have logged onto the website to learn more
and show their support.
"Any degree of success that the sport of soccer enjoys today in
the United States is directly attributable to St. Louis as one of the
game´s prime movers," said Bill McDermott, ESPN/ABC Soccer
Commentator. "Now that MLS has brought a newfound awareness to soccer
in our country, it logically follows that St. Louis should play a
part."
To further enhance the interest in soccer, St. Louis Soccer United
has formed the only true vertical integration youth development model
in North America. Based on developmental leagues that are prevalent in
European soccer, three of the leading amateur soccer organizations in
the St. Louis region - Metro United, Scott Gallagher, and St. Louis
Soccer Club - have joined forces to create a single club within the
St. Louis youth soccer community designed to enhance the development
of players at every level.
"This new model brings together the best parts of what had been a
fragmented youth soccer scene and will allow players to develop under
the St. Louis MLS team´s umbrella, where success on the field is as
important as developing self-confidence and good character," said
Steve Pecher, Director, St. Louis Soccer Club. "Thanks to the big
picture view of St. Louis Soccer United, youth soccer players in the
gateway region will have a direct link to the local professional
club´s brand, heritage, and identity. All members of this super-club,
from age five to the professional ranks, will wear the same team
colors and operate as ´one.´ While each specific team will create
individual identities within the club, one name will forge a bond
across all divisions."
By uniting Metro United, Scott Gallagher and St. Louis Soccer
Club, this super-club combines 26 national championships, more than 35
years of experience and the St. Louis market´s only USSF Academy
designation.
"St. Louis is ´Soccer Town USA´ and has a long, rich, and
successful soccer history. Its passion for the sport is what has
driven this city to be a pioneer and a leader in the game," said
Cooper. "Major League Soccer is the next natural step for soccer in
St. Louis."
St. Louis Soccer History Notes
-- The United States´ first World Cup victory in 1950 was led by
a team where nearly half of the players were recruited from
St. Louis
-- Every World Cup roster since 1950 has had at least one St.
Louis area player on it
-- St. Louis is home to more Hall of Fame inductees than any
other city, except New York
-- The first American professional soccer league, the North
American Soccer League, was started by St. Louis native Bob
Hermann
-- Saint Louis University Men´s Soccer holds the NCAA record with
10 National Championships.
Sampling of Support for MLS Soccer in St. Louis (more testimonials
at stlouissoccerunited.com)
Tony Meola - Former Member, U.S. Men´s National Team
"I am shocked St. Louis doesn´t already have an MLS team."
Julie Foudy - World Cup Winner and Olympic Gold Medalist
"St. Louis is the foundation of soccer in this country."
John DiRaimondo - Colorado Rapids Midfielder
"St. Louis would be great for the MLS."
Marcelo Balboa - Former Member, U.S. Men´s National Team
"I can think of no better place than St. Louis for the next MLS
franchise."
Lori Chalupny - Current Member, U.S. Women´s National Team
"St. Louis is a true soccer town; they will come out in large
numbers to support an MLS team."
Eric Wynalda - Color Analyst, ESPN
"If Major League Soccer is going to do this right, St. Louis must
have a team."
Chris Klein - LA Galaxy Defender
"I believe that St. Louis must have a Major League Soccer team."
Tab Ramos - Former member of the U.S. Men´s National Team - 1990
and 1994 World Cup
"When the MLS started I can recall thinking why isn´t there a team
in St. Louis? The day that a St. Louis team is announced is the day
the MLS brings to itself a lot of tradition and history."
Taylor Twellman - New England Revolution Forward
"I am all for St. Louis getting a team. St. Louis needs something
to cap off all of the great tradition and all of the great players it
has produced. An MLS team does that."
