By Jim Baer
In 1977, the greatest soccer star in history, Brazil’s Pele, played against the St. Louis Stars of the old North American Soccer League at Busch Stadium. Cars were parked as far away as Tucker Boulevard as throngs of soccer fans jammed the home of the Cardinals to see Pele and the New York Cosmos perform. The scene was befitting of St. Louis, the undisputed soccer capital of the United States.
Thirty years later, the NASL is gone. In its place is the stronger, more promising Major League Soccer. Pele long has retired, but David Beckham—arguably the equivalent of Pele to today’s generation—plays in MLS. And the Stars are gone, but Jeff Cooper, a highly-successful attorney from East Alton, Ill., is determined to return professional soccer to St. Louis. He is proposing to build a stadium and development in Collinsville, Ill., designed to attract an expansion MLS franchise.
The proposal almost stunned the staid city council of historic Collinsville. “When I saw it,” says Collinsville Mayor Stan Schaeffer famously said, “I was expecting a stadium… and I got a suburb.”
St. Louis Soccer United—a group headed by Cooper—has put a $400-plus million stadium, infrastructure and the entire 400-acre lifestyle development into the hands of Collinsville’s elected officials for a decision, which is expected Sept. 10. The presentation of the proposal was met with applause Aug. 13 in Collinsville, where RCGA President and CEO Dick Fleming endorsed the plan to the City Council in front of dozens of citizens and soccer fans that are ready to support St. Louis Soccer United and our own franchise in the growing MLS.
The centerpiece of the proposal is an 18,900-seat cantilevered stadium, essential if a return of professional soccer to this region is to become reality. St. Louis had a taste of pro soccer until the time the Stars of the NASL bolted for Anaheim in 1978. What came next was indoor soccer, with a run of teams including the St. Louis Steamers, the Storm and the Ambush—and Steamers again—playing at the old Arena on Oakland Avenue, the Family Arena in St. Charles and the then Savvis Center downtown. They’ve come and gone, but that was indoor soccer. MLS soccer is the genuine article, true to St. Louis’ soccer roots.
The development proposal, targeted for the apex of Interstates 255 and 55-70 with Horseshoe Lake Road to the north (a farmers’ field today), will represent a master planned mixed-use property development program by a team of nationally-acclaimed planners and urban designers, that will change the city’s landscape stunningly. Eventually, plans call for over 1,000 homes on the 400-acre tract, miles of walking trails and plenty of green space.
In addition to the partially covered state-of-the-art stadium, the proposal includes eight fully lit FIFA (Federation of International Football Association)-approved synthetic turf fields and a professional grass training pitch. Also, a new urbanism-styled “village” development will include retail, two hotels, restaurants, office and residential uses of approximately 400 acres with a mixed-use main street and town square, too.
“There is no city in the United States that is more deserving of Major League Soccer—and more ready for it—than St. Louis, says Cooper, chairman of St. Louis Soccer United. www.stlouissoccerunited.com. “Equally important, we’d be the ideal expansion site for Major League Soccer (MLS) with our central location, population base (2.7 million regionally and 25,000 in Collinsville) media market size and passion for soccer at all levels. It’s a perfect marriage and waiting to happen.”
The proposed location is just 10 minutes from downtown St. Louis, the epicenter of more than 300,000 soccer players in youth programs on both sides of the river. Additionally, more than 125 high schools have boys and girls soccer teams, and soccer is the dominant sport at Saint Louis University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (returning to NCAA Division I status) and other regional universities and colleges. St. Louis’ soccer history is unparalleled.
Self-employed graphic artist and pro and college soccer announcer Bill McDermott has followed the sport for nearly 35 years as a player and ESPN commentator.
“Of all the people to do this project, and make the effort, this is clearly the group, headed by Jeff Cooper, to get it done.” McDermott says. “With the growing popularity of soccer in the United States, St. Louis has to be involved.”
And they need to be involved quickly. Major League Soccer intends to expand from 13 to 16 teams by 2009 and already San Jose has been admitted as the next franchise in, beginning play next season. That leaves St. Louis as a candidate to fill one of the two remaining expansion openings.
It bears repeating, however, that the league will not grant a franchise to St. Louis—or likely any expansion candidate market—until stadium planning and funding is complete.
“Don’t get this wrong, but U.S. soccer is not European soccer or South American soccer where teams dominate all sports competition,” McDermott says. “U.S. soccer will not replace Major League Baseball or the National Football League,” but St. Louis can draw 18,900 a game and keep the stadium full.
“If this (plan) does not work, it will never work at all. I applaud Jeff (Cooper) and his group for their efforts.”
Design plans reveal a structure fascinatingly similar to England’s venerable Wembley Stadium, on a much cozier level.
“We didn’t have that in mind when we drew it up, but it kind of looks that way and has that feel,” says Cooper.
The soccer-specific stadium is made to capture the intimacy and excitement of the European game. The roof structure will fully cover the seating areas and is designed to mitigate inclement weather conditions, while holding in the crowd noise.
The stadium will easily accommodate musical concerts, a la’ other new MLS recently constructed stadiums in Denver, Chicago and Dallas, with Salt Lake City—owned by Blues Chairman and owner Dave Checketts—in the pipeline to join the new line of MLS stadiums in 2008.
Cooper anticipates strong rivalries with other Midwestern cities, such as Dallas, Chicago and Kansas City. The team will be known as a St. Louis club, but with Collinsville as its home. And Collinsville, as a location, makes a lot of sense.
Located in the nerve center of Madison County with views of the Gateway Arch and the St. Louis skyline easily visible from the stadium site, Collinsville and its 25,000 residents claim the charm and feel of an old town (celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2010) with all the modern amenities. Collinsville High School always has had a solid soccer program, winning four state titles, and boasts Joe Reiniger, who played professionally for several indoor teams after a brilliant career at SIUE.
Mayor Schaeffer adds, “We are looking at a development of additional housing which encompasses the ‘new urbanism’ concept. Our city is on the cusp of a new rise in economic development. Coincidental with that rise, we have been encouraging quality stock. We look forward to the challenge.”
RCGA Chief Economist Bryan Bezold estimates that the construction of the stadium, retail, and youth soccer complex components will support 2,764 jobs, with an indirect impact of 4,843 jobs, for a total employment impact of 7,607 jobs in Madison and St. Clair Counties.
Once complete and operating, the total annual employment impact (direct and indirect) of the youth soccer complex will be 601 jobs; the employment impact for the stadium (and team) will be 350 jobs; and the total employment impact of the retail operations will be 1,554 jobs. This is a total (direct and indirect for all three components) annual employment impact of 2,505 jobs in Madison and St. Clair Counties, Bezold notes.
“The total annual impacts in dollars are $26.5 million for the stadium, $47.9 million for the youth soccer complex, and $147.2 million for the retail. This is a total annual impact of $221.6 million on Madison and St. Clair counties,” Bezold concludes.
Cooper sees this as a win-win proposition. “If you look at the history of Major League Soccer, teams who own their own stadiums break even on the proposition,” he notes. “We see the development of the commercial and residential portion as our safety net. The mixed-use approach is what is working today.”
Cooper is co-owner of Simmons-Cooper, the law firm is moving its East Alton offices to the new development. Cooper prepped at Granite City and played soccer at DePauw University, Greencastle, Ind. His partner John Simmons is a very active athlete. The chief architect from the design firm 360 Architecture of Kansas City, Mo., is a former soccer player.
Like McDermott says, the time to bring professional soccer back to St. Louis is now. Officials on the Collinsville City Council are poised to make it all happen.
And by the way, the name of the newly-proposed team? “Too early for that,” says Cooper. St. Louis United has a nice ring though.
Friday, October 26, 2007
ST. LOUIS SOCCER UNITED PLANS TO BRING PRO SOCCER TO ST. LOUIS AREA
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Soccer Scores In Collinsville Monday
By: Roche Madden
(KTVI - myFOXstl.com) --
The city of Collinsville, IL could find out in 60 days if it will be home to a brand new Major League Soccer team.
The city council took a big step, the first of many, Monday night in bringing pro outdoor soccer to Collinsville and a new stadium. Plans call for it to be built near I-255 and Horseshoe Lake Road. The half billion dollar project not only includes an 18,500 seat stadium but also businesses, retail and new homes.
Video Link
Some council members are worried the local school district in Collinsville will lose tax revenue if details in the deal are not made clear in the near future. The mayor of Collinsville and the head of St. Louis Soccer United say the students will not be forgotten, that everything can be worked out so the project is completed and the schools get the tax money due them.
Jeff Cooper with St. Louis Soccer United told Fox 2, "It's great new its great news its a great night for Collinsville, it's great night for St. Louis soccer fans."
He says he'll be on the phone with Major League Soccer officials tomorrow. Cooper is hopeful he could find out in 2 to 3 months if Collinsville will get a team.
Collinsville forges ahead on stadium
By Shane Graber
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
09/11/2007
"Thank you council! Thank you Collinsville!" screams Benjamin Girard, of Edwardsville, center, and other St. Louis soccer supporters following the vote by the city council.
(Sarah Conard /P-D)
COLLINSVILLE — City leaders voted Monday to negotiate with a Metro East lawyer to bring the city a multimillion-dollar professional soccer stadium along with a housing and retail development.
Council members voted 4-1 to negotiate an annex agreement for farmland at Horseshoe Lake Road and Interstate 255. City staff members believe that money to be made on the project will almost double the city's investment.
The city's cost would be $3 million a year over the next 25 years, according to its estimates. Officials believe the project will generate $5.7 million a year, or $2.7 million annually over the investment.
City Manager Bob Knabel said the city would sell bonds totaling about $30 million to $35 million to pay for the project, though the exact amount won't be final until the deal is complete. It's uncertain when that will be, but both sides have said they expect a firmer deal by year's end.
Knabel said the city is not interested in just breaking even. "There has to be a benefit coming back to the community in order for us to do this," he said.
Monday's vote formally begins the project negotiation between the city and attorney Jeff Cooper, who has spearheaded the effort to bring big-time soccer to St. Louis.
The council's decision puts the city on a short list to win a Major League Soccer expansion franchise. Cooper hopes to have a team on the field by 2009. If Cooper doesn't get a team, the stadium deal will be off, and the city will not be tied to any commitment, he said.
Councilwoman Lisa Ciampoli voted against the project. She said she wanted more guarantees that the Collinsville School
District wouldn't be burdened by an influx of students coming from an expected 1,600 homes that would be included in the project. She also wanted to protect the city financially in case the city doesn't land a professional soccer team, or if the team is sold and leaves town.
"I want the stadium, I really do," Ciampoli said. "I just want to make sure we're protected."
Under the expected arrangement between the city and Cooper, the city would use the first $3 million of any money it makes to pay off the bonds. The city then would keep the next $1 million, and the city and Cooper's group, St. Louis Soccer United, would split revenues after that.
Cooper has said that the best way to bring pro soccer to St. Louis is through a public-private partnership, an approach that is used in most professional sports team stadium deals, but one that is controversial because of the use of public funds.
The city also would help pay for some of the infrastructure, such as roads and water lines, through a tax increment financing district. The district would collect all new property taxes at the complex and reinvest them in that area.
Cooper's plan would include about 1,600 homes.
The number of homes had been uncertain. With the homes, the total value of the project is forecast at $572.9 million.
The school district is concerned about gaining students without accompanying tax funds. Taxes in a TIF district typically go back into a specified area and not to the school district. If the 1,600 homes bring in a large number of students, the school board wants to make sure the district has the room and money to educate them.
"The use of TIFs to support residential development is bad public policy and unacceptable," said Mike James, a lawyer for the district. "It's unfair to kids, students and taxpayers of the district.
"You're building a soccer stadium on the backs of schoolkids."
Stadium proposalThe project is estimated at $572.9 million and would include:• An 18,500-seat stadium• 1,600 homes• 240 hotel rooms• At least two restaurants• Several youth soccer fields• Nearly 500,000 square feet of office and retail space.
Council approves initial items for Collinsville stadium plan
BY ELIZABETH DONALD
News-Democrat
COLLINSVILLE --
The soccer stadium is a few steps closer to reality, after the City Council on Monday passed several votes toward what they call the biggest project ever to come to Collinsville.
The council voted 4-1 to approve the first steps toward the $572 million soccer stadium and retail/residential complex proposed by St. Louis Soccer United.
"This is a great night for Collinsville and for St. Louis soccer fans," said group chairman Jeff Cooper as at least 14 of those fans chanted and played drums outside City Hall in support.
City Manager Bob Knabel stressed that the votes taken Monday were not the final decision on the tax increment financing district or the project itself. That will come with the redevelopment agreement, expected to be voted on later this fall.
Votes included:
• An agreement to annex the land that St. Louis Soccer United proposes to turn into an 18,500-seat stadium, retail/office complex and residential area of about 1,600 homes.
Councilman Lisa Ciampoli was the sole "no" vote. She said her main concern is for the school district.
"I want to make sure the city and the schools come to an agreement before I'm comfortable going forward," she said.
Councilmen John Miller, Liz Dalton, Nancy Moss and Mayor Stan Schaeffer all voted "yes."
• Authorizing a feasibility study on the proposed redevelopment agreement, which would include a $30 million to $35 million bond issued by the city and a tax increment financing district expected to garner about $65 million in reimbursements for St. Louis Soccer United.
• Hiring PGAV as financial consultants for the tax increment financing district and other aspects related to the soccer stadium. St. Louis Soccer United will reimburse the city for its costs in creating these districts.
• A declaration of official intent to pursue this project on the part of the city. Ciampoli also voted against this measure. All other votes were unanimous.
The primary opposition came from the school district, with public statements from attorney Mike James, representing the board, and from teachers' union co-presidents Stacey Soehlke-Lowenstein and Matt Blunt.
"We feel this development for our city is wonderful, but you can't forget our schools," Soehlke-Lowenstein said.
James called the proposal for a residential tax increment financing "very bad public policy," because it adds children to the schools but does not contribute property taxes to the school district.
Cooper said he believes St. Louis Soccer United has been "extremely proactive" in addressing the schools' concerns. He said a residential tax increment financing district is necessary to combat the issues of building in a floodplain, but he believes a solution will be found to protect the district.
"We will work as hard as we can to see the school district is taken care of," he said. "This is all about the kids."
Contact reporter Elizabeth Donald at edonald@bnd.com or 345-7822, ext. 21.
Collinsville approves soccer stadium
11:02 PM CDT on Monday, September 10, 2007
(KMOV)- The metro area is a step closer to attracting a major league soccer team.
Collinsville approved a new multi-million dollar soccer stadium.
News 4 Robert Townsend has the report.
Video Link
http://www.kmov.com/video/localnews-index.html?nvid=173682&shu=1
MAJOR DAY FOR SOCCER
Approval of stadium plan means MLS closer than ever
Comment By PETE HAYES The Telegraph
September 11, 2007 - 12:02AM
It’s been a long and arduous trip for Jeff Cooper. And following Monday’s approval of a pre-annexation agreement that will lead to a 18,500-seat, soccer specific stadium and an eventual Major League Soccer franchise for St. Louis, he needed a beer.
But first, a phone call.
Cooper, the man behind all the fuss, phoned MLS President Mark Abbott.
“I told him to bring on the MLS,” Cooper said. “St. Louis is ready.”
Indeed. Cooper, a successful East Alton attorney, never forgot his Granite City soccer roots. And when he and his St. Louis Soccer United group began working toward landing an expansion MLS franchise for the city, they knew a soccer-specific stadium is a must.
Build it or they won’t come.
Well, with Monday’s 4-1 vote by the Collinsville City Council, they will for sure be building the stadium on land near the intersection of Interstate 255 and Horseshoe Lake Road. That’s farmland now, near an area that’s been home to recreation soccer fields for Collinsville children. But come 2009, it will also be the site of the best professional soccer in the U.S.
And Cooper is the man mostly responsible.
“I’m very, very happy,” Cooper said after Monday’s meeting. “I think everything went very well.”
There were brief speeches by several supporters on behalf of the stadium plan – and some talk by Collinsville School District officials, who question the use of TIF money for such use.
“There’s no real opposition,” Cooper said. “We’re still too early in the process.
“The more people see of the plans, the more they support them.”
Many business leaders from Collinsville attended the meeting and soccer fans demonstrated outside Collinsville City Hall, beating drums and chanting, “MLS! MLS!”
While much work remains to be done, Cooper is relieved that this portion of the process is behind him.
“We have taken a major step,” he said. “The first step is always the hardest.”
The stadium plan includes several soccer fields for youth teams, commercial, hotel and restaurant areas as well as housing units in a “Soccer Main Street” area surrounding the stadium.
It was indeed a beautiful day for the beautiful game Monday in Collinsville, a city that’s been known for its strong youth and high school teams, will now be the venue for the highest level of soccer in this country. It seems fitting, somehow.
It will be interesting to see how soon it al comes together, too. I wouldn’t be surprised if Soccer Main Street is up and running before Ballpark Village rises out of its hole in near Busch Stadium.
In fact, if I were a betting man, I’d put my greenbacks on Cooper. I’ve learned that much – and so has the MLS.
Collinsville City Officials Take Step towards Soccer Stadium
Video Link
http://www.ksdk.com/video/default.aspx?aid=58559&bw=
By Alex Fees
(KSDK) - Collinsville moves closer to bringing professional soccer, a new stadium, and economic development to that community. Monday night's approval of an annexation agreement by the city council came despite concerns over tax increment financing, or TIF funding, and its affect on education in Collinsville.
City Manager Bob Knabel explained figures showing the new soccer stadium could result in a net profit of as much as two-million dollars for the city.
Knabel said, "It's a great opportunity, and I'll just go on record right now, telling the council and the community that as we move forward on this, in terms of the analysis and the study that was done, the staff views this as a very positive thing for the community, both in terms of the financial aspect and also in terms of the quality of life aspect."
Plans for the soccer stadium include a 400-acre complex with an 18,500-seat soccer stadium, eight youth soccer fields, retail space, an office complex, two hotels, and 1600 residential units.
"If you look at some of the numbers, related to attendance just to the complex or stadium, that's a little over 400,000 visitors to the games, and to the special events," said Knabel.
As for impact and value of the facility, Knabel said, "One million visitors a year, 130,000 over night stays, anticipated annual retail sales, not including big box, of $42,800,000."
Knabel said in the 1600 residential units, developers are estimating 3,680 people will live there, based on a per-unit capacity of 2.3 people, with full build-out in ten years.
Kai Redmon, acting treasurer of the Collinsville Chamber of Commerce, said, "After reviewing the proposed project, the board voted to strongly encourage the city council to proceed with negotiations with St. Louis Soccer United, in order to bring about the soccer stadium, and the adjoining retail office and residential development. The Chamber feels the economic impact of this project will positively impact the Collinsville business community, and enhance the city as a place to do business.
Collinsville School District attorney Mike James said, "The board of education supports economic development, and realizes the importance of private and public investment in the city, as a means of promoting the future growth of the community. Educating students through adequately-funded schools contributes to a skilled workforce, and contributes to maintaining and improving property values and advances a quality of life that is attractive to employers and fosters capital investment."
He added, however, that "the information presented to you by the city manager did not incorporate any numbers without a residential TIF, but let me be clear about that point. The Board of Education very adamantly holds the opinion that the use of TIFs to support residential development is bad public policy, and is unacceptable. It places an unreasonable and undue burden on the school district to provide additional services, without providing the economic resources to do so. This is unfair to kids and to students, and to taxpayers in the district."
James asked that provisions be made to protect school district resources.
"To the extent that the proposed pre-annexation agreement obligates the city to a residential TIF, and to a share in the increment in the residential taxes to be received from the TIF, I would ask on behalf of the school district, that you strike those provisions from the agreement."
Kevin Weinacht is chairman of the Collinsville Economic Development Commission. Weinacht said, "This is the type of development that most cities in the United States will never have an opportunity to be part of. Yet, Collinsville residents have before them the largest development opportunity in the history of this city. Yes, this project will definitely put us in the big leagues when it comes to economic development and growth for the future of our city."
City Council member Lisa Ciampoli raised concerns about the type of housing associated with the project. Ciampoli also worries about it's affect on the school district. She also wanted to know what would happen to the dedicated funding if a soccer team came... and went, a short time later.
Speaking for the Collinsville Gateway Center, John Bitzer said, "I can tell you the Gateway Center is totally committed to this project. We are behind the Mayor and city council one-hundred percent, and we urge you to consider all the positive aspects of this project, while doing your due diligence as you go along. But it seems to me from what we've heard after meetings with members of the city council, staff, and MLS, that there is so much potential, here."
Monday, August 13, 2007
FOX 2 STL inteview w/ Jeff Cooper
KTVI-myFOXstl.com -- If you build it, they will come. That's a Metro East's lawyer rallying cry for a $100 million major league soccer stadium in Collinsville, Illinois. East Alton attorney Jeff Cooper will present his plan to the Collinsville city council Monday night. Continue Reading "FOX 2 STL inteview w/ Jeff Cooper" »
Friday, August 10, 2007
Stadium of Dreams
Stadium of dreams
By Tom Timmermann and Shane Graber
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Friday, Aug. 10 2007
Efforts to bring professional outdoor soccer back to St. Louis will enter a decisive phase on Monday when a prominent Metro East lawyer will propose a $100 million stadium complex in Collinsville that he intends to be home to a Major League Soccer franchise.
The Collinsville City Council will hear a presentation from East Alton attorney
Jeff Cooper about a 400-acre development project that would include an 18,900-seat stadium, a hotel, at least two restaurants, about 1,000 single-family homes, several youth soccer fields and nearly 500,000 square feet of office and retail space.
While the complex would be a destination point in the Metro East area, it would not come without risk; Collinsville would have to sell about $20 million in bonds to get the project started. The City Council is expected to vote Sept. 10 on the project, which would be located at Interstate 255 and Horseshoe Lake Road."When I saw it," said Collinsville Mayor Stan Schaeffer, "I was expecting a stadium — and I got a suburb." Schaeffer and the four Collinsville City Council members make up the five-person panel that would vote on the proposal. He said the city has been working since January last year to make this happen.
Collinsville would pay off what likely would be 25-year bonds from sales taxes on everything bought at the complex, a parking tax included in ticket costs, and an entertainment tax also included in the price of a ticket.
Once the bonds are paid off, the city would still collect that tax money, Cooper said.
"The city stands to make $40 million to $50 million above and beyond the bonds in the first 10 years," he said. "What we're prepared to do is put an $80 million to $100 million investment into Collinsville, and we're asking the city to help us out with some of that with taxes that will be paid off from the project.
"Collinsville is also investing in its own future."
If the stadium plan is approved, St. Louis soon could be granted an MLS expansion franchise that would begin play in 2009. Cooper has negotiated extensively with the league about securing a team and is confident that once a stadium deal is done, a team would soon follow.
"I'm extremely optimistic,'' said Cooper, who this year tried to buy an MLS franchise, Real Salt Lake, from Blues owner Dave Checketts. Once the deal is done, "it's in MLS' court at that point. Then it's up to MLS to help us get this deal done, which they've committed from Day One to do the minute we had a stadium deal."
Collinsville City Manager Bob Knabel said he and his staff will recommend during next month's council meeting that the city approve the complex. He acknowledged that the proposal includes no guarantees. If the league, team or stadium tanks, the city will have to find other ways to pay off the bonds.
"There's always a risk, but you're also trying to cover those risks with what you see as reasonable resources," Knabel said.
Cooper said that an analysis commissioned and conducted by Economics Research Associates estimated the project would create $2.3 billion of economic impact to Collinsville and the surrounding area over 10 years.
At present, the ownership group consists of Cooper and Michael Huyghue, the president of a sports management company and the former general manager of the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars. Cooper said he is in discussions with other potential local investors.
While Collinsville isn't the only city where the team could go, it's the only city that would be ready by 2009. MLS plans to add only two more teams by 2010 before stopping expansion for several seasons. Also, the current expansion fee is $30 million, but that price is expected to go up — possibly to $50 million — as the league enters the David Beckham Era, which is expected to bring in more revenue. When Toronto received an expansion franchise in November 2005 to begin play this season, the price tag was $10 million.
St. Louis is one of several cities working to get a team before the league settles at 16 franchises. (The league currently has 13 teams, and an expansion team in San Jose, Calif., will start next year.) But the league won't consider a city for expansion unless it has an appropriate venue, preferably an 18,000-seat soccer-specific stadium that the team controls. Without that, it's difficult for teams to show a profit.
A franchise in St. Louis would be appealing to MLS.
"Major League Soccer is excited about St. Louis Soccer United's efforts to bring an MLS team to one of the most passionate and storied soccer markets in the United States," MLS President Mark Abbott said Thursday. "We continue to believe the greater St. Louis area would be a tremendous home for an MLS club and are pleased to see the interest from the city of Collinsville in a soccer-specific stadium and mixed-use development."
St. Louis has a strong soccer heritage. A St. Louis team would create a natural rivalry with franchises that already exist in Kansas City and Chicago. St.
Louis University is consistently among the NCAA's leaders in soccer attendance, and there are many players with St. Louis roots in the league. Additionally, preps soccer thrives here in relation to most other markets.
The discussions with the league, Cooper said, have moved past topics like the expansion fee and on to issues such as hosting the MLS All-Star Game or MLS Cup, the league's championship game, as well as the method for choosing players in the expansion process and acquiring international players.
Cooper said the team would need to break ground by November to be assured of having the stadium done in time for the 2009 season.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Gateway City Supporters Club is Officially Established
The Gateway City Supporters Club was officially established today following a vote on the Bigsoccer.com forum for MLS expansion in St. Louis.
We have a new website at www.leaguelineup.com/gatewaycitysc
If you want to join us please submit an online registration form at the website above by clicking in the Directory on "online forms" and following the instructions there.
Our Message to MLS:
"The fans are organized and ready, we just need a St. Louis MLS team to support."
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Collinsville soccer project blooming into large-scale, mixed-use development
From the Illinois Business Journal
Collinsville soccer project blooming into large-scale, mixed-use development
By ALAN J. ORTBALS
The proposed professional soccer project in Collinsville is moving forward and expanding far beyond a new stadium, according to Jeff Cooper, managing partner in the law firm of SimmonsCooper LLC and investor in St. Louis Professional Soccer Expansion Group LLC which is pursuing the Professional Soccer League franchise.
While exact plans are still being molded, Cooper has acquired rights to more than 400 acres of land in the Collinsville area and is planning a mixed-use development that will include residential, office and retail components along with the soccer
stadium and multiple soccer fields for amateur play.
James Berg and Rob Christlieb, partners in the real estate development firm, Crossroads Development LLC, are master planning the project and acting as owners'
Crossroads Development LLC is planning a 400-acre, mixed-used project in Collinsville using a 'new urbanism' theme similar to New Town at St. Charles in St. Charles County, Mo. as shown above.
representatives in dealing with a variety of planners and real estate developers.
"We envision a mixed-use development where the residential can help support a Main Street-like retail component," said Berg. "There will also probably be some larger big-box or mid-size-box retailer anchor stores and there will be a youth soccer complex that is going to draw teams from the entire St. Louis metro area on a regular basis for games. It will be a regional hub for tournaments. We'll have a very nice facility there for people, and all the amenities that people expect when they go to those kinds of things."
Berg said the intent is to draw in multiple developers to take pieces of the project and to develop the 400-plus acre tract in two phases. Phase one would contain the soccer stadium and fields, using them as the focal point of the development. Cooper coaxed Berg into moving here from Portland, Ore., where he owned a residential development company, to bring something different to the Southwestern Illinois area.
"We're looking to do something in the new urbanism realm and show that that model can work here in Southwestern Illinois," said Berg. "We're focused on building a community and we think there's a great opportunity there."
New urbanism is an American urban design movement that arose in the early 1980s. New urbanist neighborhoods are designed to contain a diverse range of housing, jobs, goods and services and be "walkable." An example in the St. Louis metro area is New Town at St. Charles.
In addition to his effort to bring a men's MLS team to Collinsville, Cooper is also working on a professional women's team as well. Cooper currently owns a semi-pro women's team called River City East and he has signed a letter of intent for a women's professional team as part of a re-launch of the Women's United Soccer Association league. The WUSA operated in eight U.S. cities from 2001 to 2003 and shut down after the 2003 season. According to Berg, there are seven or eight cities committed to that re-launch right now. Berg said that the women's team would probably start play at Busch Soccer Park in Fenton, Mo. in 2008.
In addition to the venue for professional soccer, the development would include nine youth soccer fields. The youth soccer fields are a key component of the development plan and a major generator of activity - and indirectly revenue, according to Paul Mann, community development/TIF director for the city of Collinsville.
"With youth soccer you can have year-round users who will be utilizing services in the area," said Mann. "They're looking at nine youth sports fields that will be laid out throughout this development and utilized as green space, greenways and malls."
Another part of the development plan is to hold concerts in the stadium, consistent with the operations of other MLS stadiums around the country.
"If you go all the way back to the Mississippi River Music Festival, concerts by famous performers were here at one point," Berg said. "But, since then, the Metro East has had to go over to St. Louis to see music. I think this will be a good opportunity to have concerts, probably six to eight large concerts a year here."
Mann has been working with Cooper and Berg on the project for more than a year now. He said that part of the reason the project has expanded beyond the stadium and fields is to generate the tax base to support the costs of infrastructure and more. Mann said the stadium will be privately owned - the city of Collinsville will not own it - but that the city will consider supporting the project through tax increment financing. Whether that will be done through the expansion of an existing district or the creation of a new one has not yet been determined.
Mann said that the city is working on an agreement with the developers, and he expects to be able to complete that agreement over the summer. Cooper said the goal is to play the 2009 MLS schedule in the new stadium in Collinsville.
vice president/coo: Alan J. Ortbals
email: aortbals@ibjonline.com
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Edwardsville Intelligencer - Collinsville looks to lure MLS team
Park planned at I-255, Horseshoe Lake Road
Collinsville officials are continuing to talk with private investors in hopes of bringing a 14th Major Soccer League team to the area. The talks began more than six months ago.
"Discussions are taking place. Issues are being resolved. Progress is being made," said Collinsville City Administrator Bob Knabel on Tuesday.
One thing that has not been released publicly are details about the negotiations.
The two sides are considering having a soccer-specific park built near Interstate 255, on Horseshoe Lake Road.
An amphitheater had been proposed for the site but was never built. The site is part of an existing tax increment finance district, Knabel said.
The Major Soccer League has been around for 13 years, with the nearest franchises in Kansas City and Chicago. It got a publicity boost recently when the Los Angeles Galaxy announced they had signed former English captain and Real Madrid star David Beckham to a contract. The league has also been hoping to increase attendance by building soccer-specific stadiums near large cities. Since 1999, the MLS has constructed six stadiums, which are generally a third of the size of football stadiums.
Plans call for stadiums to be built soon in Salt Lake City and East Rutherford, N.J.
"Having a stadium and a complex on this side of the river would be a great thing," said Dale Schilly, program director for Metro United of Southern Illinois. Metro United hosts tournaments, such as the Final Four Showcase Tournament in December, that attract teams from across the country.
Practices and games are played at the Metro United Soccer Complex, off Horseshoe Lake Road, and at signs ups for tryouts recently parents and players signed petitions meant to show support for bringing professional soccer to the area. Petitions are still being circulated, Schilly said. Over the years, thousands of teens have come to Collinsville from places like Chesterfield, Mo., and Schilly has no doubt that they and others would return now to watch professional soccer.
The petitions will be passed along soon to Nate Brinson, who said Tuesday that he has also been collecting petitions in the St. Louis area and Illinois. Neither Brinson nor Schilly knew how many petitions have been signed so far. Brinson plans to turn them over to East Alton attorneys Jeff Cooper and John Simmons, who head the exploratory group looking to bring a team here.
Cooper said that discussions between his group and Collinsville officials are continuing and that "we hope to have an announcement soon."
Said Schilly: "We're interested in this for the development of the game here. We're just excited they're as close as what everybody says they are."
©Edwardsville Intelligencer 2007
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Sunday, January 7, 2007
Collinsville may develop stadium for MLS expansion team
Collinsville may develop stadium for MLS expansion team
By Tom Timmermann
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
01/07/2007
Collinsville Mayor Stan Schaeffer acknowledged Saturday that Collinsville is the Metro East site that is under consideration as the potential home of a Major League Soccer franchise in the St. Louis area.
Schaeffer said he was encouraged by a meeting Friday.
"The city and the investment group, the economic development office and our corporate counsel have been crunching numbers,'' he said. "It hasn't looked good to this point, but it's looking better.
"I know it's going slowly, but we would like to have a handle on the ancillary economic development and see if that's adequate enough for us to make a move."
The proposed stadium site is on 200 acres at Horseshoe Lake Road and Interstate 255, just north of Interstates 55-70 and 64. In addition to the MLS stadium, the site would include 20 youth soccer fields. Jeff Cooper, the Alton lawyer who is spearheading the group that has applied for a franchise, also has talked of putting a soccer academy on the site. MLS won't consider granting a franchise to St. Louis until a stadium deal is finalized.
Because of tax laws that allow for the state of Illinois to back bonds for a private project, the Collinsville site has become the leading candidate for the team, but the investment group has declined to disclose the site during the early stages of negotiations.
"I think it's a good enough project to spend time on,'' said Schaeffer, who will discuss the proposal with the city council on Monday. "It could be a boom for us. It's the analogy test. Collinsville is to St. Louis as Foxborough is to Boston. I don't want to get anybody's hopes up, but we are working at it. I know it will be a little rough, but we're giving it a try."
Schaeffer said Collinsville's project group has met with owners of the MLS franchises in Dallas and Chicago, both of which recently built stadiums.
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