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.

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