City, PSV Reports Say "Soccer In Austin: Very Good"

City staff released a report today declaring McKalla Place a “suitable site for a Major League Soccer Stadium.”

The report considered access to the site through a variety of transportation options (including the potential addition of two MetroRapid lines along Burnet, in addition to the already speculated MetroRail stop), roughly $15 million in infrastructure redevelopment costs, and an opportunity cost comparison with a generalized mixed-use development.

But the portion of the report sure to draw the most attention was the economic impact analysis, conducted by development advisory firm Brailsford & Dunlavey. The third-party report found that Austin could stand to gain $384 million in economic activity and $331 million in wages over a 20-year period should the MLS team relocate to the city. Travis County could gain even more, with $474 million in economic activity and $460 million in wages estimated over the same period.

Just hours after the city released its report, Precourt Sports Ventures dropped a 189-page proposal for bringing the Columbus Crew to Austin. Some of the material covered has already been detailed (like how the $200 million stadium would be privately financed by PSV, and how $354 million is expected to be delivered to the city), but some interesting revelations include a partnership with Foundation Communities to invest a total of $4.8 million into affordable housing throughout Austin, over 25 years. An upfront investment of $500,000 would go toward building a development near McKalla Place.

Other noteworthy details: The city will retain ownership of the land and the stadium will be donated to the city upon completion; because the city would own the stadium, it would be exempt from property taxes. PSV would pay an annual rent of $1 for the land, but would be responsible for all utility costs at the stadium site.

But at 189 pages there’s plenty more to dig into in the report. Look for more in Thursday’s issue.