What’s going on with that soccer stadium project in Tacoma?
In July, the announcement came that building a $60 million soccer stadium in Tacoma was feasible as part of a joint effort with the City of Tacoma, Metro Parks and The Soccer Club of Tacoma, which includes Tacoma Defiance and Reign FC.
The next step, project leaders said at the time, was to put their heads together and come up with a plan in the next 30-60 days.
Those days have long since come and gone.
What’s the holdup?
As it turns out, that timeline might have been too optimistic.
Currently, the partners are negotiating on the financing and business operations of the project, which would use both public and private funding. The stadium is part of a larger $300 million Heidelberg Sports Village project that includes creation of a mixed-use sports village and more recreational fields.
“We are very close to coming to terms,” said Tim Thompson, who owns a consulting group in Tacoma and is involved in project. “There are still a few issues that we have to tighten down, but we’ve had substantial progress.”
Aaron Artman, Tacoma Rainiers president, told The News Tribune through email there will be “more to talk about” in January.
Mayor Victoria Woodards and Hunter George, spokesman from Metro Parks Tacoma, echoed that negotiations were ongoing.
In the meantime, Metro Parks is conducting outreach to advisory councils, neighborhood councils and other stakeholders.
Beyond that, project leaders didn’t elaborate on the details, such as: What’s the payment plan?
The feasibility study released earlier this year identified some possibilities, including $10 million in upfront contributions from the city and $5 million in upfront contributions from Metro Parks. Other proposed funding options include $159 million from city sales tax or $39 million from city lodging tax, if voter-approved.
It all still remains to be seen.
“Good things take time, and we’re going to produce a good thing — it’s just taken longer than we thought,” Thompson said.
This story was originally published January 2, 2020 at 5:31 AM.
