Dive Brief:
- Construction could begin on the Minnesota United FC's $150 million St. Paul, MN, stadium as early as late June, with the goal of completing construction ahead of the 2019 Major League Soccer season, according to the Star Tribune.
- Team owner Bill McGuire told the Tribune that 95% of the stadium's designs have been reviewed, and the stadium could hold up to 24,474 spectators.
- The Midway Shopping Center located next to the stadium is also undergoing redevelopment, though details have yet to be released on what's in store for the property.
Dive Insight:
Team officials had originally hoped to ground the team in Minneapolis, but were unsuccessful following failed attempts to secure the necessary tax exemptions. United finally acquired the proper exemptions following approval Tuesday night in the Legislature's special session, which granted the team property and sales tax breaks in a tax bill signed by Gov. Mark Dayton, according to the Pioneer Press.
Construction of the soccer stadium has also spurred plans for redevelopment around the area, prompting St. Paul city officials to approve an $18.4 million infrastructure investment in March 2016. The stadium, according to the Tribune, is privately funded, but St. Paul has pledged around $1.5 million in grants to help pay for storm sewers, landscaping, lighting, parking, sidewalks, streets and plazas in the area. The venue will be the centerpiece of a 34.5-acre mixed-use development that will house retail and office space, plazas, a hotel and housing.
In December 2015, the team announced Minnesota-based Mortenson would be the contractor on the stadium project, likely due to the firm's reputation as an expert in the field of sports venue development. In June 2016 Mortenson successfully completed the $1.1 billion Minnesota Vikings U.S. Bank Stadium ahead of schedule.
