After months of debate, an expected decsion on the future of Major League Soccer in Austin did not come to fruition, but progress has been made that appears to have left supporters of a team, as well as other mixed-use developments feeling optimistic.
At the end of a grueling 18-hour city council meeting on Thursday, approval was given to a package of resolutions that include beginning negotiations with Precourt Sport Ventures for a new stadium at McKalla Place, near the Domain. However, the resolutions have also opened the door to a bidding process for developers who say the site would be much more well-suited for a development that includes commercial and residential space.
When the city council returns from its summer break in August, a decision will very likely be made.
Following the meeting, Precourt Sports Ventures released this statement:
“Precourt Sports Ventures is pleased and grateful that Austin City Council has voted a unanimous ‘yes’ to enter into negotiations for a public-private partnership to develop a privately-funded stadium and soccer park at McKalla Place.
We have heard from a large number of Austinites, across all districts and backgrounds that the community remains strongly in favor of bringing MLS to Austin. We have acted as a collaborative partner with the city and remain optimistic on the prospects of negotiating a deal with the city on MLS2ATX. Our focus remains on creating a community asset that the vast majority of Austinites want.
Our goal is to be in a position to enter into an agreement on a public-private partnership with the city by the next council meeting on August 9. We thank Mayor Adler, Mayor Pro Tem Tovo and all council members who voted to support this next step in the process.
We also thank city staff, Austin soccer supporters, local soccer clubs and affiliated families, local businesses and chambers of commerce, and the countless volunteers that have worked tirelessly to give the community what it wants—Major League Soccer.”
