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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."
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