Custom Search

Thursday, June 14, 2007

New Stadium in Saint Paul

Please click onto the comments for the post.

posted by Bob at Thursday, June 14, 2007

1 Comments:

Blogger Bob said...

St. Paul may seek $25 million in state aid for sports stadiums
Some concern was expressed about putting Midway Stadium renovation and a soccer facility at the top of the city's bonding list.

By Myron P. Medcalf, Star Tribune

Last update: June 13, 2007 – 9:06 PM

St. Paul officials are considering seeking $25 million in state funds next year to renovate Midway Stadium, home of the St. Paul Saints, and to build a new soccer facility possibly next door to the ballpark on Energy Park Drive.
City Council members discussed the stadium plans Wednesday at a meeting with city lobbyists about bonding requests. The full council is expected to approve a list by the end of the month.

Council President Kathy Lantry said stadium renovations and a new soccer facility should be the last priority on the city's list of bonding requests, which includes funding for Como Zoo, the National Great River Park proposal and an Asian-Pacific cultural center.

Lantry said the latter three projects already are in the city's pipeline. Making the stadium a top priority, she said, jeopardizes the amount of state funding because of the size of the request.

The city would seek $47 million for all four projects, an amount that the state hasn't granted St. Paul in the past, Lantry said.

But Council Member Jay Benanav said that Midway Stadium renovations were long overdue.

"The Saints have been talking about a new stadium or upgrades to their stadium for years now," he said.

Sports complex's cost: $46 million

Advocates said that a new soccer facility would not only house the St. Paul Thunder, a professional soccer team, but also could be used for amateur competitions.

The $46 million sports complex would be paid for with city and private money as well as state funds. Construction would begin in 2009.

Joe Spencer, aide to Mayor Chris Coleman, said the city would like to build the soccer facility on a city lot near Midway Stadium in the Midway district, although an exact location has not been finalized.

Despite reports that the city may be eyeing the Lowertown district near downtown for a new sports complex, Bob Hume, Coleman's spokesman, said the city had not selected a site there.


Myron P. Medcalf • 651-298-1546 • mmedcalf@startribune.com

8:39 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home